Beer battered onion rings are a time-honored classic Pub food. What goes better with a nice ice-cold beer than crispy, salted onion rings? Seriously though, with this delicious beer batter, the onion rings are crispy and bursting with flavor.
While we’re at it, this batter is perfect for frying pickle slices too. The trick to perfectly battered onion rings is in the soaking! Slice the onion into half-inch thick slices and separate the rings.
Place them in a bowl, cover them with buttermilk and place the bowl in the fridge for at least half an hour.
Once they’ve marinated in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, (up to 12 hours!), remove them using tongs, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Dredge the rings in flour, shaking off any excess, then plunge them into the beer batter. Once again, allow the excess to drip off before plunging them into the hot oil.
That’s the single most important trick to achieving an even coating of beer batter on the onion rings. Let them fry until they’re golden brown, and avoid over-crowding the pan.
Remove them using a slotted fry utensil and let them drain on a plate lined with paper towels to remove any excess grease. Season lightly with a touch of salt.
To be perfectly honest, this batter is amazing on calamari, shrimp, scallops, eggplant, and zucchini too! You’re only limited to your imagination.
Beer Battered Onion Rings
You’ll Need:
1 large sweet vidalia onion, cut into 1/2″ thick rings
2 cups buttermilk
¼ cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1½ (or more) cups all-purpose flour, divided
1½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more
1 cup chilled club soda
¾ cup (or more) Beer (not lite)
Vegetable oil (for frying)
Beer Battered Onion Ring Aoli
You’ll Need:
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 cup red bell peppers, roasted
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon pepper, fresh cracked
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons white wine
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Onion Ring Sauce Recipe Directions
Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor, pulse. Then add the roasted red bell peppers, lime juice, freshly cracked black pepper, salt, white wine, and garlic. Process until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to marry.
Onion Ring Cooking Directions
Soak the onion rings in buttermilk, covering them. Chill 30 Min.
Whisk cornmeal, baking powder, paprika, ¾ cup flour, and 1 ½ tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, gradually add club soda and beer.
Place the remaining ¾ cup flour in a shallow bowl.
Heat oil to 375°F
Dip onion rings in flour, then immediately dip them into the batter, allowing the excess to drip off. Fry in the hot oil until golden brown. Don’t crowd the onion rings in the fryer as they’ll clump together.
