Gluten Free Fried Onion Rings

These crispy, delicious gluten free onion rings are about to take your gluten free enjoyment to a whole new level! I am sharing gluten free onion rings made two ways, with a gluten free beer batter or plain batter. Either way, you decide to make your batter, these homemade gluten free beer batter onion rings are incredible!

This recipe is for Mr. Fearless Dining, whose love of onions knows no bounds! When we first married I hated onions. I would go out of my way to not use them in recipes. Over the years, and after many colorful discussions, I have gotten used to using onions and I can now eat them cooked.

If you have been looking for a crispy delicious gluten free onion rings recipe, give this recipe a try. I have layered in some flavor options and ways to keep these crispy!

I share both directions to make these gluten free beer-battered onion rings and a plain battered onion rings option for those who don't want trace amounts of alcohol from the beer.

If you love fried recipes, you will love my Gluten Free Chicken Fried Steak and my Gluten Free Fried Chicken recipes too!

Ingredient notes:

• Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
• Gluten free beer - This is if you are frying your onion rings in oil. Any flavor will do but I do NOT recommend using gluten-removed beers. They make me and many others with Celiac disease sick. I suggest Glutenberg, Redbridge, or Groundbreaker gluten free beer brands. For non-alcoholic, use bubbly soda water.
• Onions - You can use any type of onion you like. I used sweet Vidalia onions. Sweet onions work really well with the beer flavors.

See the recipe card for quantities. You may also want to check out my gluten free fried onion rings web story.

Recipe step-by-step directions:

Step 1: In a bowl, add your batter ingredients and whisk to blend.

Step 2: Add the gluten free beer. I used a measuring glass because you only need 12 ounces of gluten free beer, but my can had 16 ounces in it.

HINT: You can also put it all in a Vitamix or blender to make sure there are no lumps!

Step 3: Pour the beer into the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Whisk until your batter is a little runny but it should be a thick runny.

If using a Vitamix, add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Allow the batter to sit for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.

Step 5: Peel your onions and cut them horizontally to remove both ends.

Step 6: Gently separate the onion into rings. Pressing down on the more narrow end makes it easier and you won't rip the onions this way.

While the batter is chilling in the refrigerator, heat oil in your 12-inch cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven. I tend to use a Dutch oven if I am frying inside. The sides are higher so there is less mess. If I am frying outside and using the side burner on my grill, I use my cast-iron skillet. You will want your oil to be around 375º F.

Step 7: Carefully dip the onion rings into the batter. Be sure the batter coats all areas of the onion ring.

Step 8: Gently lift the onion ring and shake off the excess batter.

Step 9: Drop an onion ring into the hot oil. I cook 3-4 at a time but make sure there is a lot of space around each onion ring.

Allow the batter-coated onion rings to cook for 1 ½-2 minutes on each side. It is easiest to cook the onions in small batches so that none get overcooked.

Step 10: Quickly move the fried onion rings to a paper towel-lined plate so the excess oil can be absorbed. Continue until all of the onion rings are fried.

While you are visiting, check out all of my easy gluten free side dish recipes!

Make them without beer:

If you prefer to have regular gluten free batter-fried onions. Omit the beer and substitute with club soda.

If you are looking for a non-battered, air fryer version, use gluten free bread crumbs to make this Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe.

Serve with:

Serve these gluten free beer batter onion rings with some smokey ketchup, ranch dressing, or sriracha.

You can enjoy these as an appetizer, or serve them as a side dish with these Grilled Chicken Filet Burgers or my popular Gluten Free Sloppy Joes.

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Equipment:

For frying these gluten free onion rings, you will need a 12" cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven. If I fry outside on the grill's side burner, I use my cast iron skillet. If I am frying indoors I like to use a Dutch oven because the sides are higher so there is less mess.

More gluten free side dish recipes to try:

• Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
• Cinnamon Brown Sugar Carrots
• Crispy Baked French Fries with Curry Dipping Sauce

📖 Recipe

Beer Battered Gluten Free Onion Rings

Sandi Gaertner

You are going to love how crispy my beer battered fried gluten free onion rings turn out. Simple directions and they are ready in about 30 minutes!

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Chill Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 519 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups gluten free flour
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons ground paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion salt
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• ▢ 2 large vidalia onions
• ▢ 12 ounces gluten free beer * see note
• ▢ 1 cup canola oil for frying * see note

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, add your batter ingredients and whisk to blend.
• Add the gluten free beer. I used a measuring glass because you only need 12 ounces of gluten free beer, but my can had 16 ounces in it.
• You can also put it all in a Vitamix or blender to make sure there are no lumps!
• Pour the beer into the dry ingredients. Whisk until your batter is a little runny but it should be a thick runny.
• If using a Vitamix, add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Allow the batter to sit for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Peel your onions and cut them horizontally to remove both ends.
• Gently separate the onion into rings. Pressing down on the more narrow end makes it easier and you won't rip the onions this way.
• While the batter is chilling in the refrigerator, heat oil in your 12-inch cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven. I tend to use a Dutch oven if I am frying inside. The sides are higher so there is less mess. If I am frying outside and using the side burner on my grill, I use my cast-iron skillet. You will want your oil to be around 375º F.
• Carefully dip the onion rings into the batter. Be sure the batter coats all areas of the onion ring.
• Gently lift the onion ring and shake off the excess batter.
• Drop an onion ring into the hot oil. I cook 3-4 at a time but make sure there is a lot of space around each onion ring.
• Allow the batter-coated onion rings to cook for 1 ½-2 minutes on each side. It is easiest to cook the onions in small batches so that none get overcooked.
• Quickly move the fried onion rings to a paper towel-lined plate so the excess oil can be absorbed. Continue until all of the onion rings are fried.

Notes

1. You can use any kind of yellow onion. Vidalia onions are sweeter and I felt they worked really well in this recipe.
2. You can use any gluten free flour blend.
3. I recommend using Glutenberg, Ground Breaker, or Red Bridge gluten free beers. Do NOT use gluten-removed beers as many still get reactions to those.
4. These gluten free fried beer batter onion rings will keep up to to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat them, bake at 325º F for 10-15 minutes to recrisp them.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 519kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 5gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 981mgPotassium: 163mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 248IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 2mg

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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