Fried Onion Strings made in the air fryer are crispy, golden, and full of flavor with much less oil than deep-fried versions. This recipe serves 4–6.
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Slice the onions into thin rings, then separate them into individual strands.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Coat the onion strands in the flour mixture, then dip them into the egg mixture, and finally coat them with the panko breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the onion strings in a single layer, leaving space between them. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking and spraying lightly again if needed. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Continue cooking for an additional 2–3 minutes if needed, until the onion strings are crispy and golden brown.
- Let cool for 2–3 minutes before serving—they’ll crisp up even more as they cool.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Ranch dressing
- Garlic aioli
- Chipotle mayo
- Honey mustard
- Barbecue sauce
Tips
- Sweet onions produce the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Slice the onions as evenly as possible for consistent cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, as good airflow is essential for crispy onion strings.
- For extra crunch, double-coat the onion strings by repeating the egg and panko coating before air frying.