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Chili-Fried Onion Rings

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 28, 2011

Yield

Serves 4

Chili-Fried Onion Rings

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup cornstarch 3 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon sugar 1 ½ teaspoons table salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 6 cups peanut oil or vegetable oil2 large yellow onions, sliced into ¼-inch rounds and separated into rings

Before You Begin

Hot and spicy as well as crispy, these onion rings are addictive. They partner perfectly with steaks. Use a deep-fry thermometer to moniter the temperature of the oil.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
  2. Place buttermilk in medium bowl. Whisk flour, cornstarch, spices, sugar, salt, and pepper together in another bowl.
  3. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, dip one-third of onion rings in buttermilk and shake off excess liquid. Dredge rings in flour mixture, shake off excess, and place on large plate. When oil reaches proper temperature, scatter battered onions in single layer in oil and cook, stirring gently, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes (oil temperature should not dip below 375 degrees). Using tongs, transfer onions to prepared baking sheet. Place baking sheet in oven.
  4. Repeat battering and frying process with remaining two batches of onions, making sure oil temperature returns to 400 degrees before adding each batch. Serve.
Chili-Fried Onion Rings

Chili-Fried Onion Rings

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 cups peanut oil or vegetable oil
2 large yellow onions, sliced into ¼-inch rounds and separated into rings

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 cups peanut oil or vegetable oil
2 large yellow onions, sliced into ¼-inch rounds and separated into rings

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 cups peanut oil or vegetable oil
2 large yellow onions, sliced into ¼-inch rounds and separated into rings

Why This Recipe Works

After trying a dozen different batters for our Chili-Fried Onion Rings, we found we preferred a buttermilk and flour batter lightened with cornstarch. It fried up crisp, light, and delicate. For the cleanest flavor, we fried the rings in either peanut or vegetable oil. It was important to keep the heat high. If the oil temperature dips too low, the onions’ batter will absorb the oil and the rings will be greasy.

Before You Begin

Hot and spicy as well as crispy, these onion rings are addictive. They partner perfectly with steaks. Use a deep-fry thermometer to moniter the temperature of the oil.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
  2. Place buttermilk in medium bowl. Whisk flour, cornstarch, spices, sugar, salt, and pepper together in another bowl.
  3. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, dip one-third of onion rings in buttermilk and shake off excess liquid. Dredge rings in flour mixture, shake off excess, and place on large plate. When oil reaches proper temperature, scatter battered onions in single layer in oil and cook, stirring gently, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes (oil temperature should not dip below 375 degrees). Using tongs, transfer onions to prepared baking sheet. Place baking sheet in oven.
  4. Repeat battering and frying process with remaining two batches of onions, making sure oil temperature returns to 400 degrees before adding each batch. Serve.

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