Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12–16 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese, optional for extra crispiness
Instructions
- Peel the onions and slice them into very thin rings. A mandoline slicer works especially well because evenly sized onions cook more consistently.
- Separate the onion slices into individual rings and place them in a large bowl.
- Pat the onions dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is important because wet onions tend to steam rather than become crispy.
- Drizzle the onions with olive oil. Toss gently until every piece has a very light coating.
- Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Sprinkle in Parmesan for an extra savory, crisp coating.
- Toss thoroughly until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place a thin layer of onions in the air fryer basket. Avoid packing them tightly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in 2–3 batches.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, then open the basket and carefully toss the onions with tongs.
- Continue cooking for another 4–8 minutes, tossing every 2–3 minutes. The onions should become golden brown with darker crispy edges.
- Watch them very closely during the final few minutes. Thin onion pieces can go from golden to burnt quickly.
- Transfer the cooked onions to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack. They will become even crispier as they cool for several minutes.
- Repeat with the remaining onions.
Creamy Garlic Ranch Dip
These crispy onions are especially good with a cool, creamy dip.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix everything together in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes before serving so the flavors can develop.
Spicy Chipotle Dip
For something with more heat, combine:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- A small amount of hot sauce
Stir until smooth and serve chilled.
What to Serve With Crispy Fried Onions
They work wonderfully as both a snack and a crunchy topping. Try them with grilled chicken, burgers, steak, roasted vegetables, green-bean casserole, mashed potatoes, salads, sandwiches, wraps, or creamy soups.
For a snack platter, serve them alongside garlic ranch dip, spicy mayo, cucumber slices, celery sticks, cheese cubes, and grilled chicken bites.
They are also excellent scattered over a taco salad or burger bowl for extra crunch.
Tips for Extra-Crispy Onions
Slice the onions as evenly and thinly as possible. Thick rings take much longer to crisp.
Do not overcrowd the air-fryer basket. Air must circulate around the onions for them to become crispy.
Use only a small amount of oil. Too much oil makes the onions greasy and prevents them from crisping properly.