Onion Fritters
If you’re craving something crispy, savory, and totally snackable, these onion fritters are exactly what you need. We take thinly sliced onions, coat them in a well seasoned batter, and fry them up until they’re golden and crunchy on the outside with tender, sweet onion in every bite. They come together with simple pantry staples in about 25 minutes, making them a great appetizer, side dish, or game day snack that disappears fast.
We’re big fans of crispy onion recipes around here, so if you love these fritters, we think you’ll want to try a few more. Our Onion Ring Chips are a fun, crunchy snack that’s perfect for dipping, while these Beer Battered Onion Rings bring bold flavor and an extra crispy coating. And if you’re up for something a little different, our Viral Onion Boil Recipe is a must try for any onion lover.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and golden: Every fritter has a crunchy, golden crust with soft, sweet onion inside.
- Quick and easy: With just 10 minutes of prep, you’ll have a batch ready in under 30 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen right now.
Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
This batter comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Thinly sliced onions get coated in a seasoned mix of flour and panko breadcrumbs, with a touch of sugar and baking powder to help everything crisp up nicely. Buttermilk binds it all together and adds a little tang, while fresh parsley, garlic powder, and paprika give the fritters extra flavor and color.
Variations
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the batter for a spicier bite.
- Cheesy twist: Fold in a handful of shredded cheddar or parmesan for a cheesy version.
- Herb swap: Try chives or green onion in place of parsley for a different flavor.
- Gluten free: Use a gluten free flour blend and gluten free panko for a gluten free version.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, panko, sugar, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Add the thinly sliced onions and parsley to the dry mix. Pour in the buttermilk and stir until the onions are evenly coated and the batter is thick and sticky.
- Drop spoonfuls of the onion mixture into the hot oil, flattening slightly with the back of the spoon. Fry in batches, 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot with ranch, chipotle mayo, or a tangy yogurt dip.
Expert Tips
- Slice evenly: Try to keep the onion slices thin and about the same size so they all cook at the same rate.
- Watch the oil temperature: Keep the oil around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks. If it’s too cool, the fritters will soak up oil and turn greasy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in batches so the oil stays hot and the fritters turn out crispy instead of soggy.
- Drain well: Let the fritters rest on a paper towel lined plate for a minute before serving to soak up any extra oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes, you can slice the onions and mix the dry ingredients ahead of time, but we recommend adding the buttermilk and frying the fritters right before serving so they stay crispy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer to help bring back the crispiness.
These fritters are great with a cool dipping sauce like ranch, chipotle mayo, or a tangy yogurt dip. They also pair well with a simple green salad or as a side to burgers and sandwiches.
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Onion Fritters
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- large skillet
- Cooking thermometer
- slotted spoon
- paper towel lined plate
Ingredients
- 2 large onions thinly sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, panko breadcrumbs, sugar, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Add the thinly sliced onions and chopped parsley to the dry mixture. Pour in the buttermilk and stir until the onions are evenly coated and the batter is thick and sticky.
- Heat about ½ inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Drop spoonfuls of the onion mixture into the hot oil, flattening slightly with the back of the spoon. Fry in batches, 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Don't overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve hot with ranch, chipotle mayo, or a tangy yogurt dip.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
