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!
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This recipe is for Mr. Fearless Dining, whose love of onions knows no bounds! When we first married, I wouldn't say I liked onions. I would go out of my way not to 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 this 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.
Why These Gluten Free Onion Rings Are Great:
- These beer-battered onion rings turn out crispy on the outside with sweet, tender onion on the inside.
- Onion rings are popular!
- You can enjoy them as an appetizer or side dish.
- They are seasoned to perfection!
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 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 onion you like. I used sweet Vidalia onions. Sweet onions work really well with the beer flavors.
- Seasonings - Paprika, garlic powder, and onion salt. You can also include salt and pepper to taste.
See the recipe card for actual quantities.
Tips For Sucess:
- Use an oil made for high heat. My favorites are avocado oil or canola oil. Do not use olive oil.
- Make sure your oil is hot before frying the onion rings. The oil should be at 375º F.
I followed the recipe and the onion rings were perfect. We don't do a lot of fried food but they were worth the effort. Thanks for sharing."
Nicole M., Pinterest comment
Substitutions:
- To make these alcohol-free, substitute club soda for the gluten free beer.
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 of beer 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 thick and a bit 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.
Tools For Making Pancakes:
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 ensure a lot of space around each onion ring.
Allow the batter-coated onion rings to cook on each side for 1 ½-2 minutes. 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!
Serve With:
Enjoy these gluten free beer batter onion rings as an appetizer or serve them as a side dish with these Grilled Chicken Filet Burgers or my popular Gluten Free Sloppy Joes.
You can also have fun dipping them in different flavored dips. Serve these gluten free fried onion rings with some smokey ketchup, ranch dressing, or sriracha.
Recipe FAQ:
Unfortunately, fried onion rings are not that healthy, and many consider them junk food. To make them healthier, you could cook them in an air fryer to reduce the amount of oil.
You can make these in the air fryer, but I recommend a different coating by using an egg to dip the onion rings into and then a panko coating.
The best way to keep the gluten free batter from falling off is to make sure your batter is very cold.
Store the onion rings in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Bake them at 325º F for 12-15 minutes to re-crisp them.
For this recipe, I didn't need to soak my onions because Vidalia onions are very sweet. I recommend soaking the onion slices for 15 minutes if you use yellow onions. Be sure to dry the onion rings well before dipping them into the batter.
I made these recently for my daughter using club soda instead of beer and they were delicious!"
Sarah K., Facebook comment
If you are looking for a non-battered, air fryer version, use gluten free bread crumbs to make this Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe.
More Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes:
- 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
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
- You can use any kind of yellow onion. Vidalia onions are sweeter and I felt they worked really well in this recipe.
- You can use any gluten free flour blend.
- 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.
- 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
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.
This post was updated from an old July 2021 post with more recipe details.
Fearless Dining
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Michele fowler
can these b done in a air fryer
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Michele, I have not tested this recipe in the air fryer.