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Gluten Free Fried Onion Rings

Gluten Free Fried Onion Rings

Published: Jul 30, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 14 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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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!

Gluten free beer battered onion rings on a platter.
Jump to:
  • Ingredient notes:
  • Recipe step-by-step directions:
  • Make them without beer:
  • Serve with:
  • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
  • Equipment:
  • More gluten free side dish recipes to try:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

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.

A stack of six large gluten free onion rings.

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

Ingredient notes:

Beer battered fried onion rings ingredients.
  • 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:

Photos of onion rings steps 1 and 2.

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!

Photos of making onion rings steps 3 and 4.

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.

Photos of slicing onions.

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.

Photos of steps 7 and 8 making onion rings.

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.

Making onion rings photos of steps 9 and 10.

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!

Dipping a fried gluten free onion ring in ranch dressing.

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:

Are fried onion rings high in carbs?

These gluten free onion rings are high in carbs due to the beer batter.

Are onion rings considered junk food?

Unfortunately, fried onion rings are not that healthy and many do consider them to be junk food. To make them healthier, you could cook them in an air fryer to reduce the amount of oil.

Can you make these in an air fryer?

You can make these in the air fryer, but I recommend a different coating by using egg to dip the onion rings into and then a panko coating.

Can you make these fried onion rings dairy-free?

You can easily make this dairy-free by using vegan butter.

How do you keep the batter from falling off the onion rings?

The best way to keep the gluten free batter from falling off is to make sure your batter is very cold.

How long will these onion rings keep fresh?

These onion rings will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To re-crisp them, bake them at 325º F for 12-15 minutes.

Why soak the onions in cold water?

For this recipe, I didn't need to soak my onions because vidalia onions are very sweet. If you are using yellow onions, I recommend soaking the onion slices for 15 minutes. Be sure to dry the onion rings well before dipping them into the batter.

Two gluten free onion rings on a plate.

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

A stack of six large gluten free onion rings

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
  

  • 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
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

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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    Recipe Rating




  1. Bobbie

    September 20, 2022 at 5:04 am

    5 stars
    These were wonderful. Can't remember the last time I had an onion ring. Batter was so light and crispy. Before we finished eating, was asked when I was making them again. A big hit! Thank you so much for taking the time to develop all these receipes.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      September 20, 2022 at 2:59 pm

      I am so glad you loved the recipe Bobbie!

      Reply
  2. Janice Staron

    May 10, 2022 at 2:35 pm

    5 stars
    I made these tonight with the club soda and they were sooooo good! My husband loved them he said it was the best part of the meal for supper! This is such a wonderful recipe definately will be making these again!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      May 10, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      I am so glad everyone loved them. I really appreciate your coming to let others know Janice!! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        August 27, 2022 at 12:29 pm

        5 stars
        These onion rings are amazing! I put my own twist on this recipe & it was pretty darn yummy. Instead of beer I used Coca-Cola & as a garnish I sprinkled a 50/50 blend of sugar & salt. Bam!

      • Sandi Gaertner

        August 28, 2022 at 11:03 pm

        I love the idea of using Coca Cola, you are amazing!

  3. Maike Adam

    December 30, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    These look so tasty! Yes Been so long since I have had onion rings! Will definitely be trying these out as soon we get back after new year!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 30, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      I am so glad you are going to try them :-). Enjoy and thank you for your note.

      Reply
  4. Yvonne

    August 10, 2021 at 1:43 am

    I just want to thank you for your help! It’s making this transition to gluten free cooking so much easier for me! I have learned so much from you. The notes after the recipes are invaluable to me.
    Thanks, again!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      August 10, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      I am so glad to help. Please reach out with any questions :-).

      Reply
  5. Lynne

    August 04, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    Great tasting onion rings!!!! But I question your recipe and 1 cup of oil for frying. I tried 2 cups and the rings stuck. So I added more. But GREAT flavor and texture!!!!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      August 04, 2021 at 8:25 pm

      I am really glad you loved them Lynne. I hear you on the oil. If I put 2 cups it would throw the calorie counter off so I wasn't sure how to handle it. I will see if there is a way to clarify without messing it up since more than 2 cups of oil wouldn't all be absorbed and consumed.

      Reply
      • Lynne

        August 08, 2021 at 7:03 am

        I don’t think this would work with the one cup of oil, but what ended up working with the two cups (because the onion rings were still sticking) was to use tongs and not let go of the ring until the underside in the oil crusted over a bit…it didn’t take but seconds. They were amazing reheated last night!!!! Thanks for another great recipe!

      • Sandi Gaertner

        August 08, 2021 at 11:15 am

        Yes, it does need more oil but if I write in more in the recipe card, it calculates the calories as if you ate 2 c of oil.

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