Ingredients

• 1 large Vidalia or other sweet onion
• 1 quart oil for frying
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk, or as needed
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs (I often use Panko.)
• 1/8 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste

Instructions

• Slice onion into 1/4-inch-thick rings.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees. (I use a stock pot.)
• Place a wire rack over a sheet of aluminum foil.
• Prepare a breading station by setting out 3 wide, shallow dishes. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in the first dish.
• Whisk milk and egg together in the second dish.
• Place breadcrumbs in the third dish.
• Dip each onion ring into the flour mixture, turning several times until fully coated with flour.
• Transfer to the egg mixture and use a fork to turn until coated.
• Lift onion with the fork and shake gently so excess liquid drips back into the dish.
• Place onion in the bread crumbs and turn several times to coat, scooping crumbs over the ring if necessary.
• Lift again with the fork, tap any excess breadcrumbs back into the dish, and place on the wire rack while you prepare the remaining onion rings.
• Deep fry 3 to 4 onion rings at a time in the preheated oil until golden brown, 2-3 minutes.
• Drain on paper towels while you deep-fry the remaining rings.
• Optional: Sprinkle with seasoning salt before serving.

NOTES:

I have had difficulty with the breadcrumbs adhering to the rings, so I have sliced the onions and placed in a glass cake pan and covered them with buttermilk and let them sit in the refrigerator for about an hour before I take them out and then dip in the flour mixture and back into an egg/milk mixture and finally the Panko crumbs. (I’ve also finely chopped pretzels and used them for a crunchy coating.) before frying.

I’ve also added chili powder, cayenne pepper and garlic salt to the batter for extra taste.

SOURCE: allrecipes.com May 2023