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Onion rings are one of the most comforting foods out there. You can now make them healthier by making them in the air-fryer. This Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe is super easy to make and takes just about 20 minutes to make.

top view onion rings on a gray plate
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Delicious crunchy and healthy onion rings made with breadcrumbs mixed in with parmesan cheese. Making these air-fryer onion rings is hassle-free and requires just about 20 minutes to make. These onion rings are simple, easy, and full of flavor. Serve them as an appetizer for game day, or as a snack or side dish for the kids. Serve them with any homemade healthy dip of choices like ketchup, ranch, or buffalo sauce. If you don’t have an air-fryer, you can make these homemade onion rings, you can just bake them in the oven instead. These healthy onion rings are so addicting it will be hard to stop reaching for more.

Why you will love these homemade onion rings

  • Perfect game day appetizer: These onion rings are perfect to serve your guests whenever you are having any gatherind. Will be a winner!
  • So delicious: A crunch with each bite, these easy to make onion rings are so flavorful. It’s just not your basic onion rings.
  • Healthy and easy to make: made in the air-fryer instead of deep frying, these onion rings and healthy and guilt-free.
close up onion rings on a plate

Ingredients you will need for these delicious onion rings

  • blanched almonds: you can use almond flour instead
  • Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
  • Seasonings: smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
  • White or sweet onion
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: use gluten-free if necessary.
  • Grated parmesan cheese: store-bought or freshly grated.
  • Eggs
  • Flour: use any kind. Gluten-free if needed
  • Cooking spray.
ingredients to make onion rings

How to make these homemade healthy onion rings

Place the almonds together with the seasonings in a small food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

Prepare your station; separate the onion slices into rings; In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs together with the parmesan and almond mixture; Beat the eggs in a bowl and place the flour on a separate shallow dish.

sliced onions before air frying

Start by lightly coating the onions in flour. Dip into the eggs, allowing the excess to drip off. Transfer to the breadcrumb mixture and gently press to coat on both sides.

Place the coated onion rings on a sheet pan and spray with cooking oil spray. Preheat the air fryer at 375F.

onion rings in the air fryer

Work in batches and air fry the onion rings for 7-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy on the outside.

Frequently asked questions

Are frozen onion rings healthy?

If we are talking about the pre-packed and store bought frozen onion rings, then we need to discuss this further. Pre-packed frozen onion rings are most likely somewhat fried half way and pre-cooked before they are frozen. You may air-fry them instead of frying and you’ve got yourself a semi healthy onion rings. It would be best and a much healthier option to make homemade air-fried onion rings from scratch.

Should you soak onion rings before frying?

This step is said to dilute the sulfur in the onions, especially if using cooking onions. This step is supposed to make the onion rings milder and sweeter. We don’t feel like this was a necessary step because we used sweet onions. But you could soak them, it wont hurt.

What is the best type of onion for onion rings?

The best onion to use for onion rings are white or yellow onions. If you do not like the strong, almost spicy taste of onion, try soaking them in cold water for about 15 minutes before breading. White Sweet onions would be our go-to choice.

breadded onions on parchment paper

Recipe notes and tips

  • Use sweet white Onions. Other types of onions may have a very strong/spicy taste.
  • You can use almond flour instead of blending the raw almonds. Either way the result will be the same. If almond flour is all you have go ahead and use that.
  • Grate your own parmesan cheese for better taste. You may also use store-bought.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, you may bake in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes or so. Keep an eye on it.
  • Flour: any flour works. Gluten-free flour can be used if you have gluten-allergies
  • Do not freeze, they will just turn out soggy. Unless you plan to cook them halfway, freeze and continue air-frying next time. This is more for those that want to make it ahead.
  • You may store leftovers but they will lose their crunch.
  • For sweeter and milder tasting onion rings, you may soak the sliced onions in an ice water bath for 10-15 minutes. If you are using sweet onions we really don’t think this is a necessary step.
tope close up view of onion rings on a plate

More healthy appetizer recipes you may like

top view onion rings on a plate

Other easy and healthy recipes to check out

onions rings on a brown plate

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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Onion Rings

By: Rena
Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 18 minutes
top view onion rings on a gray plate
Easy-to-make homemade onion rings made healthier by using the air fry and coated with almond flour, panko, and parmesan cheese breadding. Crunchy, delicious, and perfect appetizer to serve a crowd.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup blanched almonds
  • Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 3 medium white or sweet onions, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices1
  • ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, GF if needed
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup GF flour
  • cooking oil spray

Instructions

  • Place the almonds together with the seasonings in a small food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
  • Prepare your station; separate the onion slices into rings; In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs together with the parmesan and almond mixture; Beat the eggs in a bowl and place the flour on a separate shallow dish.
  • Start by lightly coating the onions in flour. Dip into the eggs, allowing the excess to drip off. Transfer to the breadcrumb mixture and gently press to coat on both sides.
  • Place the coated onion rings on a sheet pan and spray with cooking oil spray.
  • Preheat the air fryer at 375F.
  • Work in batches and air fry the onion rings for 7-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy on the outside.

Notes

  • use sweet white Onions.
  • you can use almond flour instead of blending the raw almonds
  • grate your own parmesan cheese for better taste
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, you may bake in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes or so. Keep an eye on it.
  • Flour: any flour works. Gluten-free flour can be used if you have gluten-allergies
  • Do not freeze, they will just turn out soggy. Unless you plan to cook them halfway, freeze and continue air-frying next time. This is more for those that want to make it ahead.
  • You may store leftovers but they will lose their crunch.
  • For sweeter and milder tasting onion rings, you may soak the sliced onions in an ice water bath for 10-15 minutes. If you are using sweet onions we really don’t think this is a necessary step.

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 189mgPotassium: 240mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

About Rena Awada

Hi, Iโ€™m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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