Harvest Select Onion Rings

Craving crispy, homemade onion rings? 🌱🍽️ Made with Harvest Select onions, these golden, crunchy rings are the perfect snack or side. Coated with a light, flavorful batter and fried to perfection, they’re sure to be a hit at your next gathering. For the freshest, most flavorful onion rings, use Harvest Select – nature’s best in every bite!

Jump to Recipe

Start by preparing your onions. Slice them into thin rings or halves, depending on your preference. If you’re using small onions, cut them into smaller rings. Place the onion rings in a large bowl and pour in the buttermilk, ensuring the onions are fully submerged. Let them soak for at least 10 minutes. This soaking process helps the onions soften slightly while also absorbing some of the tangy flavor of the buttermilk. For an extra burst of flavor, you can even soak them for longer if you have the time (but 10 minutes will do just fine!).

While your onions are soaking, get your flour ready. In a shallow dish or plate, combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Use a fork or whisk to stir the ingredients together until evenly mixed. The flour acts as the crispy coating for the onion rings, and the salt and pepper will season them perfectly. You can also get creative here by adding a pinch of paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor – this can really elevate your onion rings!

Next, it’s time to heat your vegetable oil. Pour the oil into a large, deep frying pan or skillet, filling it about 2-3 inches deep. You’ll need enough oil to fully submerge the onion rings while frying. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C). To test if the oil is hot enough, dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil. If bubbles form around the handle, then it’s time to start frying! The right oil temperature ensures that your onion rings become golden brown and crispy without becoming greasy.

Now that your onions have soaked and the oil is ready, it’s time to dredge them in the seasoned flour. Take each onion ring from the buttermilk bath and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly on both sides. Gently shake off any excess flour before adding the ring to the hot oil. You’ll want a nice, even coating of flour on each ring for that perfect crispy texture.

Fry the coated onion rings in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can cause the temperature of the oil to drop, which results in soggy, greasy onion rings. Fry the rings for about 2-4 minutes per batch, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Be sure to turn them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. The oil should stay at around 375°F, so adjust the heat if needed.

Once the onion rings are golden and crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. If you want to be extra cautious about excess oil, you can layer more paper towels under the first layer of onion rings. This extra layer will help keep them crisp. Repeat the frying process with the remaining onion rings until all of them are cooked.

While these onion rings are best served immediately while they’re still crispy, you can store leftovers for later! If you have any leftover onion rings, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. You can keep them in a dry, cool place for up to a few days. For the best results, reheat them in the oven at 375°F for 5 minutes to crisp them back up before serving.

Course: Side Dish
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 15 oz
Calories: 634 kcal per serving

Ingredients:

2.5 cups Homemade (or store-bought) Buttermilk

4 cups Thinly sliced onions (halves and rings of small onions)

3 cups All-purpose flour

1 tsp Kosher salt

1/4 tsp Fresh ground pepper

4 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions:

1. Soak the onions: Start by soaking the thinly sliced onions in buttermilk for at least 10 minutes. This step helps soften the onions and gives them a rich, tangy flavor.
2. Prepare the flour mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Heat the oil: In a large pan, heat vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C). To check if the oil is ready, dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil. If it bubbles around the handle, it’s ready for frying.
4. Coat and fry the onions: Take the buttermilk-soaked onions and dredge them in the seasoned flour mixture until well-coated. Carefully add the coated onions to the hot oil, frying them in small batches to ensure they cook evenly. Fry until golden brown and crispy.
5. Drain the onion rings: Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion rings from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. For extra crispiness, layer the onion rings on multiple paper towel-lined plates.
6. Serve and enjoy: Serve the Harvest Select onion rings immediately for the best crispiness, or store them in an airtight container for up to a few days.

Notes: If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. To bring back their crispiness, simply bake them in the oven at 375°F for 5 minutes.

Gluten-Free: Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free flour in place of all-purpose flour.

Vegan Option: For a vegan version, use plant-based milk (such as almond or soy milk) and add 2 1/2 teaspoons of vinegar to make a dairy-free buttermilk.