So I’ve never made homemade onion rings because I didn’t think getting a deep fryer would be the way to go. So, frozen onion rings have always been my jam at home. Now I can take them to a higher level! Air fryer frozen onion rings are quick, easy, and come out golden and crispy every time. I just love the crunch I get when I make them in the air fryer!
Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
All you need to make air fried onion rings is a few minutes and your air fryer, of course. Whether you’re air frying for your family or hosting friends, learning how to make these is definitely something you should do.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: As long as you have 10 minutes or so, you can cook up a serving of these quick onion rings. That makes it great for an easy snack option!
- So SO crispy: When I eat onion rings, they have to be crispy and crunchy on the outside. This is exactly what you get with the air fryer!
- Very versatile: I like onion rings because they can make a delicious snack, but they’re also a great side dish. They’re perfect with burgers and sandwiches. They’re also a great appetizer!
Ingredients & Equipment
So there’s one main thing you need from the grocery store to make air fryer onion rings and I think it’s pretty obvious what it is:
- 1 package of frozen onion rings
Depending on how you plan to serve them, there are some other things to consider. If you’re just think of onion rings as a snack or as an appetizer, you might want to consider dipping sauces. I’ve got some ideas further down in this post.
To make this recipe as easy as possible, you’ll only need a couple of basic items from your kitchen.
Step By Step Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (if required by your air fryer model, otherwise just set at 350°F.) If you can preheat, I do recommend it because then your food is cooking as soon as you put it in the air fryer. Otherwise you may need to add a bit of extra cook time.
- Spread the onion rings in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. Smaller rings can be placed in the center of larger rings if they fit.
- Don’t stack the onion rings and don’t overcrowd your onion rings. You want them to have room for the hot air to circulate around them.
- Cook the onion rings for 8 minutes, removing the basket halfway through the cook time to flip the onion rings. Use the tongs to turn the onion rings to avoid getting burnt.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a snack for yourself, try pairing them with different dipping sauces for variety!
Dipping Sauces
Here are some of our favorite sauces:
- Ranch Dressing
- Ketchup
- Spicy Mayo
- Honey Mustard
- Barbecue Sauce (this is a favorite sauce in our house!)
- Cheese Sauce
- Bacon Aioli
- Horseradish Aioli
- Garlic Dipping Sauce
Seasonings
You can also add extra seasoning when the onion rings come out of the air fryer. Try some of these to add a bit more flavor:
- Seasoned salt
- Black pepper
- Cajun seasoning
Pairing Ideas
As I mentioned before, these are a tasty snack, but they’re a good side dish too. Try some of these pairings:
- Burgers
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Salads
- Hot Dogs or Brats
- Steak or BBQ Ribs
- Sliders
- Chicken nuggets or chicken tenders
Basically, if you might serve french fries with a meal, sub in onion rings!
You can also pair them with other appetizers to make a party tray! Add mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, jalapeno poppers, and more and you have the perfect spread for a party or game day!
Leftovers & Reheating
Leftover onion rings can be tricky because you want to keep that crispiness. Before putting away any leftovers, make sure they have cooled completely. Any heat left will lead to extra moisture when you put them away.
Store onion rings in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to keep air and moisture out. You can layer the onion rings with paper towels to keep them from sticking.
Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing them because you will lose so much texture.
To reheat your leftovers, you should definitely use the air fryer. Set it to 350°F for a few minutes. Spread the onion rings evenly in a single layer in the basket. Heat for 3-5 or until crisp again.
You can also use the oven. Just preheat it to 375°F. Spread the onion rings in a single layer on a baking sheet. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking. Heat them for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
I do not recommend using the microwave to reheat air fried onion rings. They will just be a soggy mess.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Cook Onion Rings Without Preheating the Air Fryer?
Technically, yes, but preheating makes a big difference. Preheating makes sure your onion rings cook evenly and come out crispy, not soggy. Most air fryers take just a few minutes to preheat, so it’s worth the extra step.
How Do I Prevent Frozen Onion Rings From Sticking?
Sticking can be an issue, especially with certain air fryer models. If you have this problem, there are a few things to try:
- Lightly spray the basket with nonstick cooking oil before adding the onion rings.
- Use a perforated parchment liner or silicone mat designed for air fryers. You just have to find one that fits in your air fryer’s basket.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket so the air can circulate freely around the onion rings.
Do I Need to Add Oil to Frozen Onion Rings?
No extra oil is needed which makes these so amazing! It’s far less messy than using oil to fry things. If you want a little extra crunch, a quick spritz of cooking spray or oil before cooking can help you get an extra crispy onion ring.
More Air Fryer Snack Recipes
Try some of these snacks together with your onion rings for an appetizer tray:
Ingredients
- 1 package Frozen onion rings
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Spread the onion rings in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. Smaller rings can be placed in the center of larger rings if they fit.
- Cook the onion rings for 8 minutes, removing the basket halfway through the cook time to flip the onion rings.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
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