Crispy Thin Onion Rings are just like the ones you’d find in your local steakhouse. Covered in a thin layer of crispy onion ring batter, you’ll want to make a second batch just to be willing to share.
Onion Rings
Is it too early to give up on New Year’s Resolutions yet? Yes? Darn. Okay, fine… at least these aren’t beer battered onion rings, so that makes them slightly healthier right?
Homemade onion rings are a side dish most people don’t make because they aren’t really a popular frozen food in the grocery store, they aren’t nearly as awesome baked and people tend to be a bit fearful of frying.
How to make Homemade Onion Rings
To make these onion rings you really don’t need any special equipment. I use my trusty cast iron skillet, tongs and a couple of large Ziploc bags. The onion rings are thin enough you only really have to care about the color of the outside. The onion ring batter here isn’t a batter to be concerned about cooking through.
and the Onion ring batter secret ingredient is…
You ready for the secret ingredient? It’s pancake mix for the onion ring batter! I use a fancier variety than you need to (a gift from my husband’s aunt, she loves sending us Williams-Sonoma pancake mixes), but truly, Bisquick works great for this onion ring batter recipe. I have made it with Bisquick probably…oh I would guess 20 times? It is delicious. I think any pancake mix would work for you and for the most part, this onion rings recipe is very hands-off and easy.
Also, if you go the lazy route like me and use the two Ziploc bags, you won’t have pancake mix spilling or any mixing bowls to wash! There is a New Year’s Resolution I am helping you keep, keeping the house as clean as possible! Enjoy these onion rings, they are delicious!
Ingredients
- 4 medium white onions
- 1 cup milk , whole or 2%
- 3 eggs , beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups pancake mix
- Canola Oil , for frying
Instructions
- Slice your onions into rings ¼ inch thick.
- In a large ziploc bag as the onions, eggs, milk and salt.
- Close the bag TIGHTLY with some air in it so it is kind of like a pillow and carefully shake until all combined.
- Let the air out, reclose and put in the fridge for as long as you can up to 2 hours.
- Drain the onions and toss with the pancake mix (ok I will be honest here I use a second large ziploc bag, add the pancake mix and onions and shake....NO dishes or mess! Only a frying pan to wash!
- Using tongs tap excess pancake mix off onions against the side of the bag.
- In a cast iron skillet add oil ⅓ the way up the pan (I use my skillet, if you use a pot, add a couple inches worth of oil)
- Fry rings until golden brown 1-2 minutes.
- Drain fried onion rings on brown paper bag or on a cooling rack.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
Must use sweet vidalia onions, this is the most important thing. If you can find Drakes coating it’s so much better!
Hi Sabrina! I was wondering what the temperature the oil is supposed to be at please? Thank you And I cannot wait to try this recipe!
These sound really good.
I would love a copycat recipe for the dipping sauce that a specific restaurant serves with their onions.
Would you happen to have one?
I would surely appreciate it.
Which restaurant, I’d be happy to try!
I use Bisquick with seasonings for fixing fried chicken. I never thought to use it for onion rings. I know they’ll be good!
Would this work well in an air fryer?
I haven’t tested it but if you decide to try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks!
What is the oil temperature for cooking the rings?
365 degrees 🙂
Dry or wet pancake mix ?
Hi! Its dry.
Wow! Using pancake mix is certainly interesting but judging by these pics it must be so good!
When I first saw the idea of it I thought it sounded terrible. But it was used in a copycat recipe I needed to make for nostalgia purposes and it was SO good it is the only way we batter onion rings now unless we beer batter! It also helps that it is SUPER easy.
I am all about eating vegetables like these!
I knew you would be… I think the old saying goes one onion ring a day keeps the doctor away.
Onion rings are so good. I have never tried to make my own before.
You’ll love this! They’re easy, no batter to dip them in!
Oh, my goodness! I LOVE onion rings, but am very picky about them. These look fantastic!!
Me too! I always Yelp stalk a restaurant before ordering their onion rings. I need to see them to make sure they aren’t awful/frozen premade looking! Yes, I am crazy, I know it!
I think my husband will be extremely happy if I cook these onion rings for him! I’m going to be shopping for the ingredients for them tomorrow. I have a feeling the whole family is going to enjoy this recipe! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
My pleasure! I hope you all love them!
Oh yum, those look amazing. If they didn’t have so much oil in them, I’d be all over it!
Yes, definitely not an every day food. But moderation with everything is key and these onion rings are awesome, so they’re worth the extra 20 minutes on the treadmill.
I’ve tried making my own onion rings a few years ago and was never successful! I must give your recipe a try!
Oh these are so easy and SO good!
Wow, I don’t even like onion rings but would totally try these. Is it weird that I think they’re pretty? lol
Haha they do look like glamour shots 😉
Pancake mix for onion rings… I never would have imagined that. I can not believe the entire process is so easy either!
Yes! two ziploc bags!
I can’t wait to make these onion rings. I never knew that you could use pancake batter as a coating for frying. I will definitely be trying it for all of my frying now.
Crazy right? It is the only way I make onion rings now… well unless I am doing fish and chips with a beer batter, then I throw some onions in that for good measure.
These onion rings look amazing! I need them in my life asap!
Haha thanks Paige!