Name: Baked Onions Rings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large yellow onions, sliced and inner circles separated (1/8 inch slices); 1 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk; 1/2 cup flour (I used almond flour), but you can use any flour you choose; 1/4 cup nutritional yeast; 1 cup plain Panko bread crumbs (Gluten-free or regular); 1/2 cup corn meal; 3 teaspoons garlic salt; 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (skip this if you don't want the spice)

I have been playing with many onion ring recipes without oil trying to find the right combination of spices and CRUNCH needed for the texture and taste I was looking for. After many attempts, I found a combination of ingredients that are not only simple but quick and easy.

We like it spicy at our house, so if you are not a spicy hot lover, you can leave the cayenne pepper out, or reduce the amount to meet the desired spice. Just remember, you can always add spicy slowly, you can’t take it away once you have put it in a recipe. So add lightly.

Another quick trick with the onions is a great short cut; salt and a microwave.

HOW TO PREPARE THE ONIONS FOR BAKED ONION RINGS

In order to make oil-free baked onion rings, you first need to prepare the onions. While experimenting in my kitchen, which occurs daily, some of my ideas simply fail miserably, while others create incredible opportunities. With that being said, this step is a game-changer to preparing the onions for baked onion rings.

Obviously, the goal of a perfect onion ring is to attain a soft center with a crispy outside. Unfortunately, this process is usually done through frying. But, to make oil-free onion rings, all you need is a microwave, a large glass measuring cup, and a lot of salt.

Even though the salt may deter you, don’t! The salt, while only used in preparing the onions, is then removed before cooking.

Cut onions and separate all the inner circles of each onion slice; place in a microwave-safe container
Generously salt and toss with your hands
Cook in the microwave for 5 minutes covered with a paper towel to prevent splatter
Rinse onions in water several times, and drain well.
Place on paper towels and pat dry; leave on the paper towels

As a result, your onions will be soft and ready for the batter and breading.

WHAT IS IN THE BAKED ONION RING BATTER AND BREADING?

Furthermore, the batter and breading are an easy two-step process. The baked onion ring batter, for instance, is all blended together using a high-speed blender and a few ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk (or plant milk of choice)
1/2 cup flour (I used almond flour), but you can use any flour you choose
1/4 cup nutritional yeast

The breading, on the other hand, are mixed together in a separate bowl. The breading can also be made gluten-free by using gluten-free panko bread crumbs.

1 cup plain Panko bread crumbs (Gluten-free or regular)
1/2 cup cornmeal
3 teaspoons garlic salt
3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (skip this if you don’t want the spice)

MAKING AND BAKING THE BAKED ONION RINGS IS SIMPLE

Once the batter and breading are in separate bowls, let the dipping begin. In order to keep it oil-free, I use a silicone baking mat on my baking sheet to avoid sticking.

Take two separate deep bowls
Using a single cup blender, combine almond milk, nutritional yeast, and flour. Blend until smooth. It will resemble pancake batter.
Then, using a second bowl, combine bread crumbs, cornmeal, garlic salt, and cayenne (if you like it spicy). Mix contents of this bowl with a fork
Begin dipping onions, first in the almond milk batter, then in the bread crumb mixture, making sure the bread crumbs adhere to the onions, and place on a silicone lined or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Place onions on the cookie sheet making sure not to put them on top of each other for even cooking.
Cook for 30 minutes or until brown
I served with organic ketchup, but you may dip in any dip you like such as Vegan Southwest Dressing or Vegan Ranch Dressing.

LOVE OIL-FREE VERSIONS OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS? CHECK IT OUT!

4 servings