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Onion Rings

Delicately battered onion rings can be made at home without fuss; seltzer is the secret ingredient. Fried parsley adds a steakhouse flourish. A spider -- a wide and shallow wire skimmer -- is the best tool for removing onion rings and fried parsley from the hot oil; if you don't have one, use a big slotted spoon.
Everyday Food, July/August 2007
  • Prep Time 30 minutes
  • Total Time 40 minutes
  • Yield Serves 4
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Ingredients

  • 1 Vidalia onion, sliced crosswise into thin rings
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 can (12 ounces) seltzer water
  • 6 cups vegetable oil
  • Coarse salt
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, washed and dried very well

Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. Place onion rings in a large bowl of ice water for 10 minutes; drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and seltzer.

  2. In a heavy 5-quart pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over high until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees. Working in seven to eight batches, place onions in batter; using your fingers, lift out, letting excess drip off. Carefully place in oil, making sure not to overcrowd pot; cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

  3. Transfer rings to prepared baking sheet, and season with salt. Keep warm in a 250-degree oven. Return oil to 375 degrees before starting next batch.

  4. Once all the onion rings are done, place on a platter. Very carefully place parsley in pot (oil will spatter), and fry until crisp, 10 seconds; remove, using a spider or slotted spoon, and season with salt. Sprinkle onions with parsley.

Recipe Reviews

Reviews (4)

  • Happy_Birthday_Dr_Seuss
    2 Feb, 2013

    Onion Rings
    Russell's Saturday Dinner
    Nutritious and Delicious!

  • lilylady
    16 May, 2010

    THE BEST onion rings ever!!

  • ciachef95
    8 Oct, 2009

    bricabrac - just use club soda

  • bricabrac
    6 Oct, 2009

    what is seltzer water ?