Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings

Peel the onion and slice it into thick rings about ½-inch wide. Separate the onion slices into individual rings and set aside the larger pieces for coating. Pat the onion rings dry with a paper towel to help the breading stick better.

Prepare three separate bowls. In the first bowl, add flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk until smooth. Place the panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.

Dip each onion ring into the seasoned flour, making sure it is lightly coated. Next, dip it into the buttermilk and egg mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Finally, press the onion ring into the panko breadcrumbs until fully covered. Repeat with all remaining onion rings.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and arrange the coated onion rings in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Remove the onion rings from the air fryer and let them cool for 1–2 minutes. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch, ketchup, spicy mayo, or barbecue sauce.