Frozen Onion Rings in The Air Fryer

Skip the hassle of deep-frying and make frozen onion rings in the air fryer!

In just 12 minutes, you get crispy, crunchy, restaurant-worthy golden bites. It’s super fast, extremely convenient, and way less greasy. 

So if you’re ready to level up your side dish game for burgers, fried chicken, and more, keep reading.

Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings

Between the battering and the frying, homemade onion rings are time-consuming.

Enter air fryer frozen onion rings. 

These babies offer the same crispy, satisfying crunch you crave with minimal effort. 

Better yet, you only need two ingredients: frozen onion rings and olive oil spray.

As soon as I made these, I was hooked. The onion rings go from frozen to perfectly cooked in a flash.

Not only that, but they taste just as fresh as from scratch.

Do yourself a favor and get in on these while they’re hot!

How to Make Frozen Onion Rings in the Air Fryer 

How easy is this recipe? It takes as little as two minutes of prep, and the air fryer does the rest!

Here are the general steps:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike some other air fryer recipes, you need it hot before the rings go in.

2. Air fry the onion rings with a light spray with olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

3. Cool and serve. Let cool for 2 minutes. Serve with a dipping sauce, and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings

There’s really nothing easier than making frozen onion rings in the air fryer. It requires very little prep, and the appliance does all the heavy lifting. 

That said, every air fryer has a learning curve. So follow my tips for the best onion rings:

• Don’t thaw. For the best results, cook the onion rings from frozen. If you let them thaw, they won’t be as crispy.

• Make them extra crispy. Olive oil spray is optional, but using it will make the onion rings extra crispy. So give them a light spritz.

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Doing so means the food steams instead of roasts. So, to ensure a crispy coating, work in batches and don’t overlap the rings.

• Adjust the cooking time. Some air fryers cook quicker or take longer. So check the onion rings early and adjust the cooking time accordingly. 

• Mix up the brand. Every brand of frozen onion rings will be slightly different. So try other brands to see what you like. I’m partial to Alexia onion rings but pick your favorite.

• Add a seasoning. Want to give your onion rings a boost of flavor? Sprinkle them Cajun seasoning, Italian herbs, chili seasoning, etc.

• Pair with a sauce. These onion rings are tasty on their own. But for elevated snacking, pair them with your favorite dipping sauce! See the section below.

• Serve immediately. Onion rings will have the most crunch right out of the air fryer. If they sit too long, they will get soggy. So serve them right away for the best onion rings.  

Dipping Sauce Ideas 

These onion rings are begging for a dipping sauce! Spicy, creamy, tangy – pick your favorite and go to town. 

It’s a simple way to boost the flavor for a tasty snack or game day appetizer. It also makes these crunchy golden brown delights even more addictive. 

For a little inspiration, here are my favorite sauces for onion rings:

• Homemade Marinara Sauce
• Southern Comeback Sauce
• A1 Steak Sauce
• Authentic Tzatziki 
• Arby’s Sauce
• In N Out Sauce
• Red Robin Campfire Sauce
• Heinz Chili Sauce
• Wingstop Ranch

How to Reheat Onion Rings in the Air Fryer

Onion rings are best hot out of the air fryer. That is when they have the most crunch.

As they sit, they get soggy. 

But don’t toss out those leftover onion rings just yet! Just reheat them in the air fryer to bring back some crunch. 

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the leftover onion rings and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until warm. 

The reason for reheating at a low temperature is to prevent burning. It allows them to warm thoroughly without overcooking that crispy exterior. 

Avoid the microwave for reheating. It will make the onion rings soggy.

More Air Fryer Recipes 

Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
Easy Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Air Fryer Corn Dogs
Easy Air Fryer Ribs