These Vegan Onion Rings are golden, crunchy, and made with simple ingredients. Ready in just 30 minutes, they're easy to make at home and have all the flavor and texture you expect from classic onion rings, making them perfect for serving as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Traditional onion rings are usually made with eggs and dairy, but this vegan version is just as satisfying. I use a simple coating made with flour, soy milk, cornstarch, and breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust that fries up beautifully every time.
They're especially delicious served with burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs, but they also make a great party snack with your favorite dipping sauce. For the best texture, serve them hot while the coating is still nice and crunchy.
Looking for more crowd-pleasing appetizers? Try my Vegan Mozzarella Sticks, Vegan Buffalo Wings, and Fried Cauliflower. They're easy to make and perfect for parties, game day, or whenever you're craving something crispy.
Why You'll Love These Vegan Onion Rings
A few reasons I love this recipe:
- Made with simple ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples and one onion to make these crispy homemade onion rings.
- Perfectly crispy and golden: The combination of flour, soy milk, cornstarch, and breadcrumbs creates a crunchy coating that's hard to resist.
- Easy to make at home: No special equipment or complicated techniques required. Just coat, fry, and enjoy.
- Great for serving and sharing: They're perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or side dish for burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs.
- Better than store-bought: Freshly made onion rings have a crispier texture and richer flavor than most frozen versions.
Vegan Onion Rings Ingredients
- Onion: I like to use a large yellow onion, but sweet onions such as Vidalia work great too because they have a milder flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coating stick to the onion rings. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Paprika: Adds color and flavor. Sweet, smoked, or hot paprika all work well.
- Baking powder: Helps create a lighter, crispier coating. Don't skip it if possible.
- Garlic powder: Adds extra flavor. Onion powder can also be used.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors. Adjust the amount to taste.
- Unsweetened soy milk: I like to use soy milk because it works well as an egg substitute in the coating. You can make your own with my Soy Milk recipe, or use unsweetened Almond Milk, Oat Milk, or another Plant Milk instead.
- Cornstarch: Helps the coating stick and makes the onion rings crispier. Arrowroot starch can be used instead.
- Breadcrumbs: I prefer panko breadcrumbs because they make the onion rings crispier, but regular breadcrumbs stick more easily and work just as well. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Oil for frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil.
Find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Vegan Onion Rings
- Cut the onion into ½-inch (1.3 cm) slices and carefully separate them into rings. Add the rings to a bowl of cold water and leave them there while you set up the flour, soy milk mixture, and breadcrumbs.
- In one shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. In a second bowl, whisk together the soy milk and cornstarch until smooth. Add the breadcrumbs to a third bowl.
- Remove the onion rings from the water. Coat each ring in the flour mixture, then dip it into the soy milk mixture, and finally into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they stick.
- Heat about 2 inches (5 cm) of oil in a large pot or deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Fry the onion rings in batches until golden brown and crispy, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Results
- Soak the onion rings first: Keep the onion rings in cold water while you prepare the coating ingredients. It helps mellow the onion flavor and makes the rings easier to coat. Drain them well before breading.
- Press the breadcrumbs into the coating: After coating the onion rings, gently press the breadcrumbs onto the surface to help them stick better and create a crunchier crust.
- Let excess batter drip off: A thin, even coating works better than a thick one. Let any excess batter drip off before coating the onion rings in the breadcrumbs so they fry up light and crispy.
- Maintain the oil temperature: If the oil gets too cool, the onion rings can absorb excess oil and become greasy. Fry in batches and let the oil return to temperature between batches.
- Serve them right away: Onion rings are at their crispiest straight after frying, so serve them as soon as possible for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
These onion rings are a great addition to all kinds of meals and appetizers:
- Vegan Burgers: A classic pairing that's perfect for lunch, dinner, cookouts, and casual get-togethers.
- Vegan Hot Dogs: Serve them on the side for an easy meal everyone will love.
- Vegan Philly Cheesesteaks: Crispy onion rings make a great side for these hearty sandwiches.
- Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork: The sweet and smoky flavors pair perfectly with crispy onion rings.
- Dipping sauces: Try them with Vegan Ranch Dressing, Vegan Mayonnaise, Vegan Chipotle Mayo, or Healthy Barbecue Sauce for even more flavor.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge: Store the onion rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: I don't recommend freezing them, as the coating can lose its crispy texture once thawed and reheated.
- Reheat: Reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until hot and crispy again. I don't recommend using the microwave, as it can make them soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but they're best served fresh. If needed, you can coat the onion rings a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to fry.
This usually happens when the oil isn't hot enough or the pan is overcrowded. Fry the onion rings in batches and maintain the oil temperature at 375°F (190°C) for the best results.
Large yellow onions and sweet onions, such as Vidalia, are my favorite options. They have a mild flavor and produce large rings that are easy to coat and fry.
Yes. Arrange the breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with oil. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. They won't be quite as crispy as the fried version, but they're still delicious.
Yes. Simply use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
More Vegan Appetizer Recipes
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Vegan Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion, or a sweet onion such as Vidalia
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for serving
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, or any unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying, such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil
Instructions
- Peel the onion and cut it into ½-inch (1.3 cm) slices. Separate the slices into rings by gently pushing the inner layers out with your fingers. Place the onion rings in a bowl of cold water while you prepare the coating ingredients.
- Add the flour, paprika, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt to a shallow bowl and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy milk and cornstarch until smooth. Add the breadcrumbs to a third bowl.
- Remove the onion rings from the water. Dip each onion ring into the flour mixture, then into the soy milk mixture, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Press gently so the panko sticks well.
- Heat about 2 inches (5 cm) of oil in a large pot or deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Fry the onion rings in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil, sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired, and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Arrange the breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with oil. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through. Work in batches if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing is not recommended, as the coating can lose its crisp texture after thawing.
- To crisp them up again, reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it can make them soft and soggy.
About Iosune
Hi, I’m Iosune! I’m a food lover, home cook, recipe creator, and co-founder of Simple Vegan Blog, which I started in 2014 to show how easy and delicious vegan cooking can be.