Crispy Onion Rings with Smoky Paprika Aioli

Yes! Crispy onion rings paired with a smoky paprika aioli? That’s a perfect combo — crunchy, golden rings with a creamy, flavorful dipping sauce. Here’s a full recipe that delivers that satisfying restaurant-style crunch and bold, smoky flavor.

🧅✨ Crispy Onion Rings with Smoky Paprika Aioli

🔥 Serves: 4–6 | ⏱️ Total time: ~45 minutes

🧅 Crispy Onion Rings

🛒 Ingredients:

• 2 large yellow or sweet onions, cut into ½-inch rings

• 2 cups buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat

• 1½ cups cold sparkling water or beer (for extra crispness)

• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Soak the onions:

• Place onion rings in a bowl with buttermilk. Let soak for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours). This tenderizes them and removes harshness.

2. Make the batter:

• In a large bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne.

• Add sparkling water (or beer) and whisk until smooth. It should be slightly thick but still drippy.

3. Heat the oil:

• Heat oil in a deep pan to 350–365°F (175–185°C).

4. Fry the rings:

• Remove onion rings from buttermilk, let excess drip off.

• Dip into batter, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl.

• Carefully lower into hot oil.

• Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.

• Drain on a paper towel-lined tray and sprinkle with salt while hot.

🌶️ Smoky Paprika Aioli

🛒 Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 1 garlic clove, minced or grated

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional for extra depth)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

🥄 Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine mayo, garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and mustard.

2. Mix well until smooth.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more paprika or garlic for bolder flavor.

4. Chill for 15–30 minutes for flavors to meld.

📝 Tips:

• For extra crisp rings, double-dip: dredge in flour first, then dip in batter.

• Make it gluten-free: Use rice flour and GF beer/sparkling water.

• Leftovers? Reheat onion rings in an oven or air fryer for max crispiness.