Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Steak and Sides

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (63)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(63)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 1 hr 5 min

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Ingredients

2 large Spanish onions (or 3 yellow onions)
2 cups buttermilk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (medium) yellow cornmeal
1 quart vegetable oil

Directions

Peel the onions, slice them 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick, and separate them into rings. Combine the buttermilk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.

When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot or Dutch oven. (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.) Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs. Don't crowd them! Place the finished onion rings on the baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried. They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
Linda Bonita Springs, FL 11-04-2009
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Never order out again
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These are the best onion rings we had ever had. Perfectly breaded and crisp. Tried several other recipes, but none come... close. My husband now calls me the "onion ring queen". Can't do better than that. I always think I'm making too much but no leftovers ever. Ina does it again & again - simple but fantastic. This is why I watch her religiously I have tried numerous recipes of hers' and never have had a bad one. Thanks for making us mere mortals great cooks, Ina!.Read more
recipe Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
tracey jensen beach, FL 10-07-2009
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wow best i have ever had
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I love Ida's cooking and once again she has one the hearts of my family with these delicious onion rings. Everyone should... try themRead more
recipe Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
B Pearland, TX 09-14-2009
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Restaurant Equivalent
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made these two days ago, and they were so good! The onion rings were so light and crunchy. I have to say that they tasted... just as though I was sitting at a gourmet restaurant; not a novice trying to follow a recipe!. Try it out for yourself and see! Read more
recipe Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
Jill Gastonia, NC 08-10-2009
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Soooo Gooood
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Man, these are good. When my husband saw i was soaking the onions in the buttermilk for dinner, he seemed disappointed... because he doens't like onions too much. I put him in charge of frying them, and he ate his portion before serving them with the rest of the dinner, he loved them so much. Will definitely make again. Ina - you are THE BEST cook on the food network, hands down. Read more
recipe Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
null null, null 08-09-2009
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The Best Rings Anywhere!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These onion rings looked so good as Ina made them on TV, we just had to try them! I've never made onion rings before and am... not a huge 'fried food' fanatic, however, they are well worth the time and effort. My husband had no idea what I was making other than the aroma from the kitchen was phenomenal. He has named these the best onion rings ever! Although we are relatively healthy eaters, this is something that we consider a treat and we have them for special occassions - or when my husband asks (like tonight)! You'll love them as much as we do!Read more
recipe Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
beckie brooklyn park, MN 08-05-2009
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JUST OK
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I MADE THESE TO THE TEE, EVEN SOAKING THEM FOR AN HR IN BUTTERMILK, THEY JUST DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH BATTER ON THE ONION, I LIKE... CORNMEAL BUT DIDN'T TASTE IT AT ALL, I GUESS I LIKE A THICKER BATTER ON MY ONION RINGS.Read more