Southern-Style Buttermilk Onion Rings are crispy fried onion rings soaked in buttermilk and coated in seasoned flour. They're perfect for burger nights, Southern comfort meals, and crispy appetizer platters. The coating fries up golden and crunchy while the sweet onions stay tender inside.
Love onions? Try these Air Fryer Onion Strings or our Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe.
Southern-Style Buttermilk Onion Rings at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 15 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: Deep frying
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): Southern side dish
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt, Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Double dredging the onion rings creates that thick Southern-style coating that stays crunchy while the onions soften inside. ~Jami
Why We Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Crispy Coating: The buttermilk and seasoned flour mixture creates a perfect crunch. For more deep-fried favorites, be sure to try our Cajun Fried Chicken, too!
- Simple Ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples and fresh onions.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just a few steps, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Favorite: A hit with both kids and adults, making it great for family dinners and parties.
Buttermilk Onion Ring Ingredients
- Jumbo Vidalia Onions: These form the base of your rings. Look for onions that are firm and large.
- Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the onions.
- All-Purpose Flour: Creates the bulk of the crispy coating.
- Cornstarch: Ensures a light, airy texture.
- Paprika: Adds a hint of smokiness.
- Granulated Garlic: Brings a subtle garlic flavor.
- Adobo Seasoning: For a unique, savory kick.
- Kosher Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning.
- Peanut Oil: Ideal for frying due to its high smoke point.
- Salt: To taste, for seasoning the finished rings.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Buttermilk: Substitute with plain yogurt thinned with a bit of milk.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gluten-free flour blend works well.
- Adobo Seasoning: Use a mix of cumin, oregano, and garlic powder.
How to Make Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings
STEP ONE: Prepare the Onions
Cut the onions into ½ to ¾ inch slices and separate them into rings. Peel off the inner layer of each ring to ensure even cooking.
STEP TWO: Marinate the Onions
Place the onion rings in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
STEP THREE: Prepare the Coating
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, granulated garlic, Adobo seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper.
Remove the onion rings from the buttermilk and dredge them in the seasoned flour mixture. Lay them out to dry for 30 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Fry the Onion Rings
Preheat peanut oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 365°F (185°C). Dredge the onion rings in the flour mixture once more.
Fry 4-5 rings at a time, for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the rings and let them drain on a wire rack. Season with salt.
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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 Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature before frying.
✔️ DO Use a deep-frying thermometer to maintain the temperature at 365°F (185°C).
✔️ DO Double coat the rings in the flour mixture for an extra crunch.
❌ DO NOT Overcrowd the fryer.
Storage
Store leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, after frying, let them cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
Recipe FAQs
To make your onion rings extra crispy, double coat them in the seasoned flour mixture and ensure the oil is hot enough (365°F or 185°C) before frying. Fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature and allow the rings to drain on a wire rack after frying.
Yes, you can bake onion rings for a healthier option. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C), place the coated onion rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Onion rings pair well with a variety of dipping sauces. Popular choices include ranch dressing, spicy aioli, barbecue sauce, and honey mustard.
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📖 Recipe
Southern-Style Buttermilk Onion Rings
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Mixing Bowl
- Deep fryer or large pot
- Slotted spoon
- Wire rack
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 2 jumbo Vidalia onions cut into ½ to ¾ inch slices
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- peanut oil for frying
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut the onions into ½ to ¾ inch slices. Carefully peel off the inner layer of the onion slices to separate them into rings.
- Place the onion rings in a large bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, granulated garlic, Adobo seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Remove the onions from the buttermilk, letting the excess buttermilk drip off. Dredge the marinated onion rings in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Lay them out to dry for 30 minutes.
- Preheat peanut oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 365°F (185°C). Dredge the onion rings in the seasoned flour mixture once more for an added layer of coating.
- Carefully place 4-5 onion rings at a time into the hot oil to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried onion rings from the hot oil, allowing any excess oil to drain on a wire rack. Season with salt while still hot. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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Video
Notes
- Slice the onions evenly so the rings cook at the same rate.
- Double-dredge the onion rings in a thicker Southern-style crust.
- Fry only a few rings at a time to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Let the fried onion rings drain on a wire rack to stay crisp.
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