Crunchy Buttermilk Ranch Onion Rings

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Total: 45 min
  • Active: 45 min
No more soggy onion rings! The addition of cornstarch to the coating for these tasty rings helps them maintain an irresistible crispy, crunchy exterior. Both the buttermilk soak and panko breading are spiked with ranch seasoning, so the flavor really stands out. We pair them with a speedy lemon aïoli, but you could also serve them with your favorite condiment. This recipe is easy to double if you’re serving a larger crowd; see Cook’s Note for keeping them warm and crisp if you’re frying multiple batches.
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Ingredients

Quick Lemon Aïoli:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon sour cream

1 small garlic clove, finely grated

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper

Onion Rings:

Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Two 1-ounce packets ranch seasoning

Kosher salt

2 cups buttermilk

4 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon dried dill

1 tablespoon dried parsley

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds and separated into individual rings

Directions

Special equipment:
deep-fry thermometer
  1. For the quick lemon aïoli: Stir the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, mustard, lemon zest and juice and a couple grinds of black pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. For the onion rings: Heat 3 inches vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a sheet pan.
  3. Whisk the flour, cornstarch, 1 packet of Ranch seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt together in a large bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and remaining packet Ranch seasoning. In a wide shallow bowl or pan, combine the panko with the dried dill, dried parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
  4. Working in batches, thoroughly dredge the onion rings in the flour mixture, then dip them into the buttermilk mixture. Remove the onion rings from the buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the panko mixture and use a dry hand to help adhere the breadcrumbs to the rings. Move the coated onion rings to a large plate or sheet pan as you coat the remaining batches.
  5. Working in two to three batches, carefully place the dredged onion rings into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Remove to the wire rack to drain and season with kosher salt.
  6. Serve hot with the lemon aïoli.

Cook’s Note

If you’re doubling the recipe, you can keep the fried batches of onion rings warm in a 250-degree-F oven.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Cdeahl14

These rly were the crunchiest most delicious onion rings that actually kept the coating on them. The cornstarch in the flour coating works so well. Genius.

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