Onion Rings
This vegetarian builds powdered pancake mix and fresh parsley into a satisfying meal you can have ready in about 55 minutes. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 6 steps.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At easy difficulty across 6 steps, it's a good one for a busy evening. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy Egg
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Peel the onions and slice them crosswise into rings about 1 cm thick, then separate the rings and discard the very small inner cores or save them for another use.
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs, then gradually whisk in the pancake mix and salt until you have a smooth batter the consistency of thick cream, stirring in the chopped parsley.
- Pour the vegetable oil into a deep heavy pot to a depth of about 5 cm and heat it to 180 C, using a thermometer to keep the temperature steady.
- Working in small batches, dip the onion rings into the batter, letting the excess drip back into the bowl so the coating is even and not too heavy.
- Lower the coated rings carefully into the hot oil and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until they are puffed and deep golden brown all over.
- Lift the rings out with a slotted spoon, drain on a wire rack or paper towel, and sprinkle with a little extra salt while still hot before serving immediately.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Large pot · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
- Eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking) · 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
Tips & common questions
How long does Onion Rings take to make?
About 55 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 7 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of milk?
Try any unsweetened plant milk. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Onion Rings vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Onion Rings is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Onion rings served in Fort William.jpg by Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.