Crispy Onion Straws in the Air Fryer for Burgers, Casseroles, and Snacking
Perfectly seasoned air fryer onion straws with a tender buttermilk soak for the ultimate crispy, golden bite in every forkful.
👩🍳 Crispy Air Fryer Onion Straws: The Ultimate Crunchy Topping (or Snack!)
I first made these crispy onion straws during a Thanksgiving when I was trying to cook everything from scratch. Green bean casserole was on the menu, but I wanted something better than canned fried onions. These turned out way more flavorful with a perfect crunchy texture, and I’ve been making them ever since.
They give you that crispy bite you’d expect from fried onion rings, but without the extra oil. The onions soak in buttermilk to soften and soak up flavor, then get tossed in a seasoned flour mix before heading into the air fryer. They come out golden, light, and crunchy.
They’re great on Onion Stack Sliders, pulled pork, mac and cheese, or casseroles. You can also just snack on them with ranch, chipotle mayo, or raspberry barbecue sauce. They even work on top of salads or sandwiches if you want a little extra texture.
One thing to note before you start is that you have to make these in a single layer or they won’t crisp up like you want them to. I am fortunate to have an oven with an air fryer setting so I have a lot of room to spread them out. If you have a small air fryer, you really do have to make these in batches or they won’t crisp up really well.
Let me know how it goes. They are addictive.
🛒 Recipe Ingredient List
🥣 Process for Making Crispy Air Fryer Onion Straws
Start by placing your thinly sliced onions in a bowl and covering them with buttermilk. Let them soak for about 30 minutes. This soaking time softens the onions slightly and helps the coating stick better, which is important for getting that light, crisp texture.
In another bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cornstarch, and brown sugar. Each ingredient plays a role here. The cornstarch helps create a lighter coating, the smoked paprika adds a subtle depth, the cayenne brings a gentle kick, and the brown sugar gives just a hint of caramelized flavor as they cook.
While the onions are soaking, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Starting with a hot air fryer helps the onions crisp evenly from the start.
Once the onions have soaked, lift out a handful at a time, letting the extra buttermilk drip back into the bowl. Drop them into the flour mixture and toss until every piece is coated from edge to edge. If you want an extra thick crust, you can dip them back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture a second time.
Arrange the coated onions in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Give them some space so the hot air can flow all around. Lightly mist the tops with coconut oil spray. This helps them develop a deep golden color and a more even crunch while they cook.
Air fry the onion straws at 375°F for about 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them; you want them crispy and golden! Also make sure to do a thin layer or they won’t crisp up like you want.
Once done, remove the onion straws from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauce, like ketchup, aioli, or a spicy mayo. Trust me, they won’t last long!
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Crispy Air Fryer Onion Straws
Equipment
- Airfyer
Ingredients
- 2 large onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp light brown sugar
- Spray Oil ( for air frying, I like using coconut, but olive or avocado work too)
Instructions
- Soak 2 large onions, that are scliced thin, in 2 cups (480 g) buttermilk for 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup (62 ½ g) all-purpose flour, ½ cup (60 g) whole wheat flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch and 2 tsp light brown sugar.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375℉.
- Take each onion ring from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and coat it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Smart people would do each onion ring with a fork, but I am not smart and use my fingers. Your fingers are going to get gross so have a bowl or water or a sink nearby.
- Place the coated onion straws in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
- Lightly spray the coated onion straws with cooking spray or mist with oil. This helps them crisp up in the air fryer. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the onion straws are golden brown and crispy.
- Once done, remove the onion straws from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Serve the air fryed onion straws with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, aioli, or a spicy mayo.
Notes
Substitutions
Nutrition
FAQs
What onions are best for making onion straws?
Sweet onions like Vidalia or yellow onions are commonly used due to their mild flavor, but you can experiment with red or white onions too.
Are onion straws the same as onion rings?
Onion straws are thinly sliced onions that are often more delicate and used as a topping or garnish, while onion rings are thicker slices typically served as a side dish.
Can I add other spices to onion straws for unique flavors?
Absolutely! Experiment with various spices like curry powder, cumin, or even a touch of cinnamon to create distinct taste profiles.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer onion straws are the ultimate crispy, golden snack and they’re way more versatile than you might think. While they’re delicious straight from the basket, they really shine when paired with the right dip. Common favorites include cool and creamy ranch dressing, tangy BBQ sauce, zesty aioli, or a spicy mayo that gives just the right kick. If you’re feelin’ a little adventurous, go for something bolder like Alabama White Sauce. It’s got that vinegary tang that cuts through the richness just right.
But don’t stop at snacking. These crispy little onion straws are made for topping everything from burgers and pulled pork sandwiches to creamy mac and cheese. Try them on my Saw’s Soul Kitchen copycat plate with jalapeño cheddar grits, slow-smoked pulled pork, and tender collard greens. The crunch of the onion straws on top of that smoky, cheesy, savory goodness? Total game-changer. They bring texture, flavor, and just the right touch of indulgence to round out a soul food spread worth bragging about.
could I use only a.p.flour?
Hi Patty. Yep you can for sure use all all-purpose flour on these. Great question. I try to sneak whole wheat flour into my recipes whenever I can. Sometimes it’s best not to substitute, but in these onion straws it should work out just fine. Thanks for asking.
Thank you for sharing this recipe