Crispy Air Fryer Onion Straws for Burgers, Casseroles, and Snacking Recipe
Crispy Onion Straws prepared in the air fryer offer a crunchy, flavorful addition to burgers, casseroles, or as a standalone snack. Thinly sliced onions are soaked in buttermilk, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, and air fried to golden perfection with minimal oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fried onion rings.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Onions & Soaking
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups buttermilk (480 g)
Coating Mixture
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (62.5 g)
- ½ cup whole wheat flour (60 g)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup cornstarch (32 g)
- 2 tsp light brown sugar
For Air Frying
- Spray oil (coconut, olive, or avocado oil recommended)
Instructions
- Soak Onions: Place thinly sliced onions into a bowl with 2 cups of buttermilk. Let them soak for 30 minutes, which softens the onions and helps the coating stick.
- Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cornstarch, and light brown sugar. Mix well to ensure even seasoning.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the onions.
- Coat Onions: Remove each onion slice from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, tapping off any extra to avoid clumping.
- Arrange for Air Frying: Place coated onion straws in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them to allow proper air circulation.
- Spray and Air Fry: Lightly spray the coated onion straws with cooking oil to enhance crispiness. Air fry at 375°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the onion straws from the air fryer, let them cool slightly, then serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, aioli, or spicy mayo.
Notes
- Cook in batches if making a large quantity to ensure even crisping and proper air circulation.
- Store leftover onion straws in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and smoked paprika levels to match your preferred spice tolerance.
Keywords: crispy onion straws, air fryer onion rings, air fried onions, healthy onion snacks, crispy onion topping, burger topping, casserole topping, easy air fryer recipe
