08/12/2025
Coffee-Battered Onion Rings
Ingredients
* 2 large yellow onions, cut into ½-inch thick rings
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* ½ teaspoon black pepper
* 1 ½ cups beer (lager or ale works best – experiment to find your favorite!)
* 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying (canola oil or peanut oil also work well)
Instructions
Prepare the Onions
1. Begin by peeling the onions and slicing them into ½-inch thick rings.
2. Separate the rings carefully and place them in a bowl filled with ice-cold water. Soaking the onions in cold water helps to reduce their sharp bite and ensures they cook evenly and become wonderfully tender.
3. Let them soak for a minimum of 15 minutes, but you can soak them for up to an hour for even milder onions.
Make the Dry Batter Mix
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure to use fresh baking powder, as this will provide a light touch and ensure the onion rings are beautifully airy and not too heavy.
Prepare the Sprite Batter
1. Gradually pour the beer into the dry mixture, whisking constantly until you have a smooth batter. It’s perfectly okay if there are a few small lumps, but be careful to avoid over-mixing the batter, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and make your onion rings tough. The batter should be thick enough to nicely coat the onion rings without being too thin and watery.
Fry the Onion Rings
1. Carefully heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot to a stable temperature of 350°F (175°C). Using a thermometer is highly recommended to ensure the oil temperature remains consistent, resulting in perfectly cooked and crispy onion rings.
2. While the oil is heating, make sure you drain the onion rings thoroughly and gently pat them completely dry with paper towels. This seemingly small step is actually absolutely crucial for achieving the ultimate crispy onion rings!
3. Dip each onion ring individually into the sprite batter, ensuring it’s fully and evenly coated on all sides. Carefully and gently place the battered onion rings into the hot oil, working in small batches to avoid overcrowding the fryer and lowering the oil temperature too much.
4. Fry for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and wonderfully crispy.
5. Remove the freshly fried onion rings with a slotted spoon or spider and place them on a plate that has been lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
6. Season immediately with a sprinkle of salt while they’re still hot. Serve them immediately and savor the delightful flavor of these incredible homemade onion rings! They’re best enjoyed hot and fresh and Dip in Cheese Sauce.