Crispy Onion Rings Chipotle Mayo (Print)
Golden, crunchy onion rings paired with smoky chipotle mayo—ideal for snacking or party platters.
# What You Need:
→ Onion Rings
01 - 2 large yellow onions, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
09 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
10 - Cooking spray (vegetable or canola)
→ Chipotle Mayo
11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (or 1–2 tsp chipotle hot sauce)
13 - 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
14 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
15 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes to ensure optimal crisping.
02 - Separate onion slices into individual rings. Discard small centers or reserve for other uses.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls. Combine flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the first. Whisk eggs and milk in the second. Place panko breadcrumbs in the third.
04 - Dredge each onion ring in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Press firmly into panko crumbs to coat thoroughly and evenly.
05 - Place coated rings in single layer in air fryer basket. Lightly mist tops with cooking spray. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping rings halfway through cooking time, until golden brown and crispy throughout.
07 - Combine mayonnaise, minced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, lime juice, and salt in small bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
08 - Transfer hot onion rings to serving platter. Accompany with chipotle mayo for immediate dipping while hot and crisp.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The air fryer gives you that deep-fried crunch with a fraction of the oil so you can eat twice as many without the food guilt hanging over your head
- That smoky chipotle mayo is the kind of dip that makes people double dip and ask for the recipe before they even finish their first ring
02 -
- Overcrowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to end up with limp sad onion rings so work in batches if needed
- The coating needs that light spray of oil to actually crisp up because air fryers still need a tiny bit of fat to create that fried texture
03 -
- Soak the cut onion rings in ice water for 30 minutes before coating if you want to tame their raw bite slightly
- Let the breaded rings sit for about 10 minutes before air frying to help the coating adhere better during cooking