Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable)

Golden, crunchy onion rings cooked in the air fryer with a creamy tangy dipping sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ¾ cup buttermilk
08 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
09 - Cooking spray

→ Dip

10 - ½ cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
12 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
14 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
15 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Peel the onions and slice into ½-inch thick rings. Separate rings carefully and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and smoked paprika until evenly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the buttermilk until smooth and homogeneous.
04 - Place panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl for final coating.
05 - Dip each onion ring first into the flour mixture, then immerse in the egg-buttermilk mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Arrange coated rings on a tray.
06 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes to ensure optimal crisping.
07 - Place the coated onion rings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Lightly spray rings with cooking spray. Work in batches if necessary.
08 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
09 - While the onion rings cook, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until serving.
10 - Serve the hot, crispy onion rings immediately with the chilled dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like the crispy diner version but use way less oil, so you don't feel guilty reaching for a third ring.
  • The homemade dip is tangy and creamy enough that you'll find yourself making extra just to have on hand.
  • Your air fryer finally gets to show off, and the whole thing takes less time than ordering delivery.
02 -
  • Don't skip the separation step with the onion rings or they'll cook unevenly and stick together in a frustrating clump.
  • If your rings don't get crispy enough, your air fryer basket was probably too crowded—work in batches and give them breathing room.
  • The dip can be made hours ahead, which is exactly why this recipe works so well for entertaining.
03 -
  • Don't let your air fryer run completely empty—that initial 3-minute preheat time actually matters for even cooking and maximum crispiness.
  • If you find yourself loving these, invest in a good wire basket for your air fryer so you can cook more rings at once without them touching each other.

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