Hardees Onion Rings Recipes

ONION RINGS RECIPE

Steps:

• Optional: Soak onions in ice water for 15 minutes and pat them completely dry before frying. This neutralizes the flavors and brings out a hint of sweetness instead of a harsher bite. It also makes them a bit crunchier.
• Place cooling racks over a baking sheet next to where you'll be frying.
• Peel the onion and position it so the stem is facing outward (not up or down). Slice onions into ½ inch thick slices and separate the slices into rings. (See post for step by step photos and PRO tips for cutting onion rings.)
• Toss thein cornstarch. This helps the batter stick to the onions. It also absorbs moisture and prevents gluten from developing, which makes them crispier.
• Whisk the 1 ½ cups flour and remaining dry ingredients together until well-combined. Gradually pour in the beer, whisking continuously. Add up to 2 additional tablespoons of flour if needed. The consistency should resemble a thin pancake batter.
• Heat oil to 365-375 degrees. Dip 4-5 onion rings in batter and gently shake off any excess. Carefully lower them, one at a time, into the preheated oil. If the oil is at the right temperature, they should rise to the top almost immediately. If it's not, they'll sink and stick to the bottom and the batter will fall off.
• Fry for about 1 minute + 20 seconds. Flip them over when the first side is golden brown. Cook for another 45 seconds or so, then remove and place on cooling racks. (I find that using a fork is the best way to handle them.)
• Repeat until all onion rings have been fried. Serve with dipping sauce. (Ketchup, Ranch, BBQ Sauce, or a combination sauces!)
• PRO Tip: To keep fried onion rings warm, place the cooling rack with the onion rings in a 200-degree oven.

CRISPY ONION RINGS RECIPE WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a dutch oven over medium heat with 1" of oil (or enough to cover the onion rings). You can use a deep fryer if you have one.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup milk with 1 Tbsp vinegar and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup sour cream.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together: 1 cup flour, 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder.
• Separate the onion rings and dip each ring in the milk mixture, then dredge with flour. (I used a fork to transfer from the wet bowl to the dry bowl so my hands didn't get as gunky). Repeat by dipping in milk mixture a second time and dredging again in flour. Place the finished onion rings on a plate until ready to fry.
• Once the oil is at 375˚F on a thermometer, or hot enough for the onion rings to sizzle, place 3-4 double battered onion rings in a single layer in the hot oil and cook for about 3 minutes, flipping halfway and fry until exterior is crisp and light golden brown. Let onion rings cool on paper towels so soak up any excess oil.

CORNMEAL-FRIED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Peel the onions, slice them 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick, and separate them into rings. Combine the buttermilk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot or Dutch oven. (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.) Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs. Don't crowd them! Place the finished onion rings on the baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried. They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

OLD FASHIONED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Separate the onion slices into rings, and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Dip the onion slices into the flour mixture until they are all coated; set aside. Whisk the egg and milk into the flour mixture using a fork. Dip the floured rings into the batter to coat, then place on a wire rack to drain until the batter stops dripping. The wire rack may be placed over a sheet of aluminum foil for easier clean up. Spread the bread crumbs out on a plate or shallow dish. Place rings one at a time into the crumbs, and scoop the crumbs up over the ring to coat. Give it a hard tap as you remove it from the crumbs. The coating should cling very well. Repeat with remaining rings.
• Deep fry the rings a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Season with seasoning salt, and serve.

ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Use a fork to steady your onion. Slice the onion into rings about 1cm wide. Remove the skin and separate the rings.
• Heat the oil to 180C in a heavy-based pan - it should be no more than 1/ 3 full.
• Meanwhile put the flour and sparkling water in a bowl and season generously. Whisk together to form a batter.
• Coat a small batch of onion rings in batter. Carefully lower into the hot oil and deep-fry until crisp and golden, about 2 - 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a piece of kitchen towel to drain. Repeat with the remaining onion and batter.