Crispy, golden brown, and packed with flavor, these Air Fryer Onion Rings are a delicious and healthier alternative to the traditional version. They come out crunchy every time, ready to dip into your favorite sauce for an irresistible treat!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Keto Air Fryer Onion Rings
• 🛒 Ingredients for Keto Onion Rings
• 🔪 How to Make Gluten-Free Onion Rings
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What Dipping Sauces to Serve with Onion Rings
• 💡 Tips for Making Air Fryer Onion Rings
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• How Do I Get the Coating to Stick Better to the Onion Rings?
• Why Are My Onion Rings Soggy in the Air Fryer?
• Can I Use a Regular Oven if I Don’t Have an Air Fryer?
• Can I Make These Keto Onion Rings Ahead of Time?
• Can I Freeze the Onion Rings?
• Do I Need to Flip the Onion Rings Halfway Through Cooking?
• 🍽️ More Air Fryer Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Keto Air Fryer Onion Rings

• Crispy flavorful breading
• Quick and easy to make
• Gluten-free and kid friendly
• Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce

Who doesn’t love a batch of crispy onion rings? Now, with this gluten-free recipe, you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying them. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these air fryer onion rings skip the heavy oils and traditional breading but still deliver that irresistible crunch.

A beautiful golden brown, crunchy coating wraps around tender onion, making them ideal for dipping in your favorite sauce (I’ve included my favorites below). Whether you’re serving them up as a side or just as a tasty snack, these onion rings prove that delicious doesn’t have to mean loaded with unhealthy ingredients.  

If you love these gluten-free onion rings, you may also want to try this Zucchini Fries, Fried Dill Pickles or these Fried Green Tomatoes.

🛒 Ingredients for Keto Onion Rings

• Onions
• Oat fiber
• Pork panko
• Almond flour
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Garlic salt
• Smoked paprika
• Olive oil

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk

🔪 How to Make Gluten-Free Onion Rings

Slice each onion into ½ inch slices, then separate them into rings.

Next, remove thin skins between each onion layer and discard.

Set up your breading station by adding the beaten egg into one dish.

Add the pork panko, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic salt and smoked paprika into a second dish, and whisk to combine.

Add the oat fiber into a third dish. Take each onion ring and dip it into the oat fiber, shaking off any excess.

Then dip it into the egg, allowing the excess to drip off.

Dip into the breading mixture and gently cover all sides.  Don’t press it into the mixture, you just want a light coating.

Preheat your air fryer @375°F for 5 minutes.

Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil and place your first batch of onion rings in an even layer. Spray the onion rings with a generous amount of olive oil and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until golden and crisp.

Repeat the process with the remaining onion slices. Sprinkle some salt as soon as they come out of the air fryer. This helps the salt to stick to the onion rings.

Then serve while hot with sugar-free ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.  See post for some great ideas!

☑️ Storage Instructions

While they onion rings are best when they are freshly made, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to a couple of days. To reheat them and crisp them up again, just stick them back in the air fryer for a few minutes.

🍴 What Dipping Sauces to Serve with Onion Rings

• Zesty Dipping Sauce
• Boom Boom Sauce
• Easy Cheese Sauce
• Bang Bang Sauce
• Buffalo Cheese Sauce
• Bacon Ranch Dressing
• Yum Yum Sauce

💡 Tips for Making Air Fryer Onion Rings

• Use medium-sized onions: Medium onions give you the perfect size for even cooking in the air fryer and for easy handling. Larger rings can be tougher to coat and cook evenly in the air fryer.

• Keep coating light: Gently coat the rings without pressing them into the breading mixture. This light coating helps them crisp up nicely without getting too thick or clumpy.

• Preheat the air fryer: Preheating ensures a quick and consistent cook and gives the onion rings a crispier texture.

• Avoid overcrowding: Place the onion rings in a single layer with a bit of space between them for the air to circulate. If necessary, cook them in batches to get that perfectly crispy exterior.

• Serve immediately: Onion rings are best served hot out of the air fryer, so plan to enjoy them right away for maximum crunch!

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Herbs: Mix in Italian herbs like oregano or basil with the parmesan for a bit of extra flavor in the breading.

• Heat: For a hint of heat, sprinkle a little cayenne pepper into the breading mix.

• Smoked spices: Try using smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or even smoked salt to enhance the smoky flavor in the coating.

• Nutritional yeast: Swap the parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor.

• Mustard powder: A touch of mustard powder adds a tangy depth to the flavor without overpowering the onions.

• Ground flax or sesame seeds: For added nutty crunch you can mix in a little ground flax or sesame seeds into the breading.

How Do I Get the Coating to Stick Better to the Onion Rings?

Make sure each onion ring is dry before coating, and don’t skip the oat fiber because it helps the egg and breading stick.

Why Are My Onion Rings Soggy in the Air Fryer?

Soggy rings often result from either overcrowding or not enough oil spray. To avoid this, place the onion rings in a single layer with space between each, and generously spray them with oil before air frying.

Can I Use a Regular Oven if I Don’t Have an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can bake them! Preheat your oven to 400°F and place the coated onion rings on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Can I Make These Keto Onion Rings Ahead of Time?

For the best crunch, these onion rings are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can prepare the coated onion rings in advance, place them on a baking sheet, cover them, and refrigerate for a few hours until you’re ready to air fry.

Can I Freeze the Onion Rings?

Sure! You can freeze the coated onion rings before air frying. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to cook, air fry them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Do I Need to Flip the Onion Rings Halfway Through Cooking?

Flipping halfway isn’t necessary, but it can help them crisp more evenly, especially if your air fryer has hot spots. Give them a gentle flip if you notice one side is browning faster.

🍽️ More Air Fryer Recipes

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
• Jalapeño Poppers
• Pork Tenderloin
• Zucchini Fries
• Buffalo Wings