• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kathy's Vegan Kitchen
  • Recipes
  • Categories
    • Entrees
    • Breakfast
    • Sandwiches
    • Small Bites
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Sauces, Dips & Dressings
    • Vegan Sides
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • How-To
    • Our Vegan Life
  • Vegan Reviews
    • Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service
    • Purple Carrot Review
    • Veestro Review
    • Fresh N’ Lean Review
  • About
  • TOP 50 EBOOK
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • 4TH OF JULY
  • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • 4TH OF JULY
    • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home / Recipes / Vegan Sides

    Baked Onions Rings

    Published: Oct 10, 2021 · Modified: Jun 27, 2022 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

    255 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    baked onion rings

    I have played with many baked onion ring recipes without oil to find the right combination of spices and CRUNCH needed for perfect texture and taste. Finally, after many attempts, I created a variety of ingredients for baked onion rings, which are both oil-free and healthy. 

    We like our food spicy at our house, so if you are not a spice lover, omit the cayenne pepper or reduce the amount to meet the desired spice. Remember, you can always add spicy slowly,  but you can't take it away once you have put it in a recipe. So add lightly. 

    Another quick trick to the best-baked onion rings is to salt and microwave them before baking.

    How to prepare onions for oil-free onion rings

    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 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. 

    The goal of a perfect onion ring is to attain a soft center with a crispy outside. Unfortunately, that process occurs during 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 worry! 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.

    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 using a high-speed blender and a few ingredients:

    • 1 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk (or plant milk of choice)
    • ½ cup flour (I used almond flour), but you can use any flour you choose
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast

    The breading, on the other hand, is mixed 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)
    • ½ cup cornmeal
    • 3 teaspoons garlic salt
    • 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (skip this if you don't want the spice)

    How to make onion rings (baked or air-fried)

    Baked Onion Rings

    Once the batter and breading are in separate bowls, let the dipping begin. 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.

    New Air-fryer cooking option

    • Once the onion rings are breaded, place them on a sheet pan and cook in the air-fryer in batches. 
    • Then, place onion rings in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket.
    • You can place smaller rings inside bigger rings if necessary; make sure there is space between them.
    • Cook at 400°F until golden brown and crispy, about 11-15 minutes.
    • Carefully lift out the onion rings with a cookie spatula or fork and serve.

    FAQs

    How do you get the batter to stick to onion rings?
     
    First, dip the onions in the plant-milk mixture, then the bread crumb mixture. 
     
    When making baked onion rings, how do you get the strong taste out of the onions?
     
    To get rid of the strong taste of onion rings, soak them in ice-cold water for at least 20 minutes or sprinkle them with vinegar. 
     

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

    • Baked Tater Tots
    • Sweet Potato Chips
    • Vegan Potato Skins
    • Oven-Baked Fries Perfect Crispy Oil-Free and Garlic
    • Steak Fries Crispy Air Fryer Steak Fries Recipe
    • Loaded Chili Fries
    • Air Fried Falafel
    • Crunchy Baked Zucchini Coins
    • Baked Vegan No Egg Rolls Two Ways
    baked onion rings

    Baked Onions Rings

    Kathy Carmichael
    This baked onion ring recipe is oil-free and gluten-free. Make them spicy or keep them mild. These baked onion rings are crunchy on the outside and sand soft and delicate on the inside. New air-fry option included. Crunch away!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 125 kcal

    Equipment

    • Anthony's Premium Nutritional Yeast Flakes, 1lb, Fortified, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Vegan

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 large yellow onions sliced and inner circles separated (⅛ inch slices)
    • 1 cup unsweetened unflavored almond milk
    • [½ cup flour I used almond flour, but you can use any flour you choose]
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • [1 cup plain Panko bread crumbs Gluten-free or regular]
    • [½ cup corn meal]
    • 3 teaspoons garlic salt
    • 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper skip this if you don't want the spice

    Instructions
     

    • 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
    • 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.
    • 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.

    • Air-fryer Cooking Option
    • Follow directions 1-9
    • Then, place onion rings in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket.
    • You can place smaller rings inside bigger rings if necessary; just make sure there is space between them.
    • Cook at 400°F until golden brown and crispy, about 11-15 minutes.
    • Carefully lift out the onion rings with a cookie spatula or fork and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 15gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 604mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4g
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/
    « Butternut Squash Chili
    Is Wine Vegan? »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous

      June 07, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    2. Jennifer

      June 07, 2020 at 3:09 pm

      Just curious. I don't have a microwave. How else would you prep the onions?

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        June 07, 2020 at 6:07 pm

        Hi Jennifer, if you have a steamer, use that. If not, steam the onions in a pot by adding a little water, the salt, and cook for 5 minutes covered. Remove from the pan, rinse the onions, and continue with the rest of the steps. I hope this helps.

        Reply
    3. Usha

      October 13, 2021 at 7:44 pm

      Made this today and although I did not follow instructions to the T, the end result was very satisfying. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        October 14, 2021 at 4:50 pm

        Usha, I'm so glad you liked the onions rings. Thank you so much for the feedback. I appreciate it.

        Reply
    4. Kim B

      December 01, 2021 at 7:05 pm

      To make sure the dip sticks to the onions....What should be ice cold?

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        December 02, 2021 at 7:12 am

        Hi Kim, sorry for the confusion. Ignore the ice-cold comment. I edited the section. Ice cold water is often used to remove the strong onion taste from the onions before microwaving. You can also place the plant-milk mixture into the refrigerator for a thicker consistency, but it isn't necessary.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

    More about me →

    Kathys Vegan Kitchen Featured In

    Vegan Grilling

    • Vegan Meatloaf
    • Vegan BLT
    • Vegan Potato Salad
    • BBQ Cauliflower
    • Vegan BBQ Sauce
    • BBQ Jackfruit

    Top 50 Recipes Cookbook

    Popular

    • Vegan Stir Fry
    • Mango Salad With Cilantro & Lime Dressing
    • Vegan Meatloaf
    • Vegan Chicken Salad
    • Bean Salad With Oil Free Dressing
    • Vegan Drunken Noodles

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Affiliate Policy

    Cookbook

    • My Top 50 Recipe Cookbook!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Made with ♥️ in Arizona.

    Copyright © Kathy's Vegan Kitchen :)

    255 shares