This Crispy Onion Strings (Onion Straws) Recipe is ridiculously easy to make and totally addictive! Perfect for piling onto burgers, steaks, salads—or just grabbing by the handful straight off the tray.
We think they're the perfect topping for our Southern Bacon and Green Beans or our Instant Pot Pulled Pork BBQ—a delicious Southern combo!
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Onion straws, also known as crispy onion strings, are thin and delicate slices of onion that have been coated with a seasoned flour mixture and deep-fried until they turn golden brown and irresistibly crunchy. This snack is often used as a topping or served as a fun appetizer.
If you enjoy this fried onion recipe, you may also love our Buttermilk Onion Rings or our Zeppole for a sweet twist!
Why We Love This Recipe
- It’s Fun: Get the whole family involved in the onion slicing and coating process for a fun and interactive cooking experience.
- It’s Crowd-Pleasing: Serve onion strings at your next game day party and prepare to wow your guests.
- It's Quick: Whip up a batch of crispy onion strings in no time to level up a salad. Try them on a Steak Salad or Hearts of Palm Salad.
Crispy Onion String Ingredients
- Onion: Sweet Vidalia onion, sliced paper thin using a mandolin slicer, forms the base for these addictive and crispy onion strings.
- Buttermilk: The buttermilk soak tenderizes the onions and infuses them with a subtle tangy flavor, contributing to the taste.
- All-purpose Flour: The flour mixture serves as the crispy coating, providing the perfect crunch.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the onion straws and balances the seasoning.
- Peanut Oil (for frying): The high smoke point and nutty flavor of peanut oil make it ideal for achieving golden brown and perfectly crisp onion straws.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Oil: Canola oil or vegetable oil can be used as a replacement for frying.
- Egg: If you prefer a dairy-free alternative, you can use beaten egg as a replacement for buttermilk to provide a similar binding effect.
- Method: Try air frying the coated onion strings instead of deep-frying for a healthier alternative.
- Dip: Serve onion straws with a side of creamy buttermilk ranch dip for extra flavor.
How to Make Crispy Onion Straws
STEP ONE: Prepare the Onion Strings
Peel the onion and use a mandolin slicer to slice it paper thin. Separate the onion rings and place them in a bowl. Pour buttermilk over the onion rings, ensuring they are fully soaked. Let them rest for 30 minutes.
STEP TWO: Prepare the Coating
In a separate bowl or tray, mix all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned flour mixture.
STEP THREE: Coat the Onion Strings
Remove the onion rings from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Toss the onion rings in the seasoned flour mixture until evenly coated.
STEP FOUR: Fry the Onion Strings
Heat peanut oil in a deep skillet or pot to 360°F (175°C). Carefully add the coated onion strings in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried onion strings and drain on a wire rack or use paper towels.
How can I adapt this Crispy Onion Strings (Straws) Recipe for the Air Fryer?
To adapt the Crispy Onion Strings (Straws) Recipe for an air fryer, start by preparing the thinly sliced Vidalia onion rings and soaking them in buttermilk for flavor and tenderness.
Next, create the seasoned flour mixture and coat the onion rings thoroughly.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap, and air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
Once they turn golden brown and crispy, remove the onion strings from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Slice the onion slices paper thin for the perfect texture.
✔️ DO Let the onion rings soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to infuse them with flavor.
✔️ DO Place onion straws on a wire rack instead of paper towels; this prevents them from becoming soggy as any excess oil drips away.
Storage
Crispy onion straws are best if eaten on the same day. Reheat onion straws in an air fryer if you want them to retain their crispy texture. You can also reheat in the oven to restore crispiness.
Recipe FAQs
Peanut oil has a high smoke point and is often used for deep frying because of its fatty acid content.
Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
Buttermilk adds a subtle tangy flavor to the onions but also helps to tenderize them, making the onion strings soft and flavorful. Additionally, the buttermilk creates a natural adhesive for the seasoned flour coating, ensuring it sticks to the onions during frying.
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Onion Strings (Straws) Recipe
Equipment
- Mandolin (or Knife)
- Deep fryer (or deep skillet)
- Mixing bowls
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 large Vidalia onion thinly sliced into rings
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Peanut oil for frying
Instructions
Deep Fryer Method
- Peel the onion and use a mandolin slicer to slice it paper thin (up to ⅛ inch thick). Separate the onion rings and place them in a bowl. Pour buttermilk over the onion rings, ensuring they are fully soaked. Let them rest for 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix all-purpose flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper to create the seasoned flour mixture.
- Remove the onion rings from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Toss the onion rings in the seasoned flour mixture until evenly coated.
- Heat peanut oil in a deep skillet or pot to 360°F (175°C). Carefully add the coated onion strings in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried onion strings and drain on a wire rack or use paper towels.
Air Fryer Method
- Prepare the thinly sliced Vidalia onion rings and soak them in buttermilk for flavor and tenderness.
- Create the seasoned flour mixture and coat the onion rings thoroughly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap, and air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
- Once they turn golden brown and crispy, remove the onion strings from the air fryer and serve immediately.
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Notes
- Oil: Canola oil or vegetable oil can be used as a replacement for frying.
- Buttermilk: If you prefer a dairy-free alternative, you can use beaten egg as a replacement for buttermilk to provide a similar binding effect.
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