This Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and requires minimal cleanup, making it a quick side dish that your family will love! You can switch up the spices to suit your taste or even use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of any leftover onions you might have kicking around. Seriously, these homemade onion rings are not just a treat; they’re also a fantastic way to elevate any dinner or snack time!

Ingredient Breakdown

1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
1 large Egg
1 tablespoon Water
1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 large Sweet Onion
Cooking Spray

Let’s Get Cooking!

How to Make Air Fryer Onion Rings

Prep Your Ingredients (5 minutes)
- Start by slicing your onion into 1/2-inch thick rounds and gently separate them into rings. Honestly, if you’ve never made onion rings at home, this is the part where the kitchen smells amazing!
Set Up Your Dredging Stations (10 minutes)
- In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- In another shallow dish, lightly beat the egg and stir in the tablespoon of water.
- In a third shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- It’s like an assembly line, makes it efficient and fun!
Dredge Those Onion Rings (5-7 minutes)
- Now, grab your onion rings. Dredge each ring in the flour mixture first, shaking off the excess.
- Next, dip it in the egg mixture, allowing any extra to drip off.
- Finally, dredge the onion ring in the panko, pressing gently so it sticks.
- The panko should cling to those rings like they were meant to be together!
Air Frying Time! (10 minutes)
- Give both sides of the onion rings a good spray with cooking spray. This is key because it’ll help them crisp up beautifully.
- Place each onion ring in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway at the 6-minute mark until they are golden brown and crispy.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Once cooked, you can keep the first batch warm in a covered dish while you cook the remaining rings. There’s nothing better than a hot batch of onion rings fresh from the air fryer!

And let me tell you, the aroma that wafts through your home during this process is just mouthwatering! You’ll be hard-pressed not to sneak a few bites as they’re coming out!

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I’m craving something crispy that feels indulgent but doesn’t take forever to make. I’m a real sucker for comfort food, and these onion rings hit all the right spots! The best part is you can customize them based on what you have on hand. Dipping sauce? You can’t go wrong with ranch, barbecue, or even a spicy mayo. Seriously, the options are endless, and they all taste delicious!

If you loved this Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, my Air Fryer Fried Pickles, or my Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, which is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few straightforward steps, you’ll have an amazing snack or side dish ready to go!

Crowd-Pleaser

Your family will love these crispy onion rings! They’re loaded with flavor and texture, creating the perfect appetizer or side for any meal. I mean, who can resist that crunch?

Customizable

Use whatever ingredients you have! I’ve experimented with different spices and breadcrumbs. Honestly, the possibilities are endless! Toss in some garlic powder, or swap the panko for crushed cornflakes, whatever tickles your fancy!

Serving Suggestions

These onion rings are fantastic on their own, but if you’re looking to elevate your meal, here are a few serving suggestions:

Pair them with a juicy burger for an epic dinner.
Serve with a side of ranch or your favorite dipping sauce for a movie night snack.
Add them to nachos for an over-the-top treat!

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes to get that crunch back, nobody likes soggy onion rings!
Freezer Friendly: Yes! You can freeze uncooked onion rings. Just lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want to cook them, there’s no need to thaw; just pop them straight into the air fryer, as if they were fresh!

Final Thoughts

Making homemade Air Fryer Onion Rings is not just about the taste; it’s about the entire experience of creating something delightful in your kitchen. Honestly, once you’ve had these, you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought in the first place! So grab those sweet onions, get your air fryer ready, and dive into making these crispy treasures. I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out, happy cooking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!