Skip to main content

The Best Onion Rings

After cooking the onion rings, keep them warm in a 200°F oven while you finish the remaining batches.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for seasoning
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup beer
1 large egg
4 cups peanut oil
2 large white onions (about 2 pounds), sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick and separated into rings

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the flour, cumin, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the buttermilk, beer, and egg until smooth. Let the batter stand 15 minutes.

    Step 2

    In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375°F. Working in batches, dip the onion slices in the batter, turning to coat. Gently drop the slices into the hot oil. Cook, turning the rings once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. (Adjust heat between batches as necessary to keep oil at a steady temperature.)

    Step 3

    Use a slotted spoon to transfer the rings to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Season immediately with salt.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.