Steak House Onion Rings

Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 30

Servings: people

Calories: 387kcal

These steakhouse onion rings are light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Perfect as a side for a burger or steak, or a killer-good appetizer!

Place onion rings into a bowl and cover with buttermilk.
2 or 3 large onions, 2 cups buttermilk
Cover with plastic and place in the fridge for 1 hour (or up to 12 hours).
Whisk the flour, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper together in another large bowl.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1½ teaspoon Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon black pepper
Lift the onions out of the buttermilk and place them in another bowl.
Add the onion to the flour mixture and toss to coat. If you prefer extra crispy onion rings, do a double dredge (add the coated rings back into the buttermilk, then dredge in flour again).
Place oil in a large, heavy saucepan about halfway up the side of the pan, or heat your deep fryer to 350°F.
Vegetable oil
Working in batches, fry the rings in hot oil until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes per batch.
Transfer onions to paper towels or a baking rack.
Season with a little more salt (if desired) and serve immediately! Delicious served with Cajun Remoulade!

NOTE: Watch the video in the recipe card for visual guidance.

Make it a Meal: These rings are the perfect size for stacking! Try placing 2 or 3 of them on top of a BBQ burger crusted with beef rub for a true "steakhouse style" experience.
Oil Temperature: Use a kitchen thermometer to keep your oil between 350°F and 375°F. If the oil is too cold, the rings will be greasy; if it's too hot, the outside will burn before the onion is tender.
Adjusting the Heat: This recipe has a mild "back-end" heat from the cayenne. If you prefer a completely mild ring, omit the cayenne and double the smoked paprika. For more spice, add a teaspoon of hot sauce to the buttermilk soak.
Storage & Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To regain that signature crunch, reheat them in an air fryer or a 400°F oven for 3–5 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the breading soggy.
Serving Suggestions: While these are incredible on their own, we highly recommend serving them with a side of Cajun Remoulade for a zesty kick or Homemade Ketchup for a classic pairing.