Vegan Onion Rings

In this vegan onion rings recipe, we'll peel back the layers to reveal how to make perfectly golden, crispy onion rings without eggs. These are irresistible paired with a creamy vegan mayo, and so good they might bring a tear to your eye!
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A stack of vegan onion rings.
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Who doesn’t love the irresistible crunch of onion rings? These vegan onion rings are the ultimate game-changer, offering all the crispy goodness without any compromise. Perfectly golden and oh-so-satisfying, they’re your new go-to for snacks, sides, or that must-have party appetizer.

Our vegan onion rings recipe takes it up a notch with a simple yet flavorful beer batter that guarantees a light, crispy coating every time. With just a handful of ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a plate full of crunchy, savory onion rings ready to devour. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or just looking to add some plant-based magic to your meals, these onion rings are sure to impress. Ready to dive into a plate of this crispy, heavenly delight? Let’s get started!

A vegan onion ring being dipped in a homemade vegan mayo sriracha sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Onion Rings Recipe

Get ready to meet your new favorite snack! These vegan onion rings are everything you’ve been craving and more. Here’s what makes them truly special:

  • Crispy Perfection: Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch that’ll have you reaching for just one (or five) more. Thanks to our beer batter, these rings are golden and crispy without fail.
  • Delightfully Indulgent: Sometimes, you just need a treat that feels a little extra. These onion rings bring all the indulgence without the heaviness, perfect for a cozy night in or a fun get-together.
  • Completely Egg-Free: You won’t miss the eggs in this recipe. Our vegan onion rings are made with plant-based ingredients, making them a delicious option for everyone.
  • Party-Perfect: Hosting a gameday party or just having friends over? These onion rings are a crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to disappear fast. Plus, they pair wonderfully with a variety of dips and sauces.
  • Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and easy steps, whipping up a batch of these onion rings is a breeze. You’ll impress your guests without breaking a sweat!

Key Ingredients

These vegan onion rings are not just any snack, they’re a crispy, crunchy celebration of plant-based goodness. And the best part? You can whip up a batch of homemade vegan mayo to take them to the next level, or simply grab your favorite store-bought plant-based mayo. Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible rings and their perfect dip:

Key ingredients for vegan onion rings gathered and labeled.

For the Onion Rings:

  • Onions, yellow or white: The stars of this recipe. Slice them up, and watch as these humble bulbs transform into crispy, golden rings of joy.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our batter. It’s like the glue that holds the crispy dream together, making sure each onion ring is perfectly coated.
  • Cornstarch: This is our crunch-boosting secret weapon. It adds that extra crispy magic, turning good onion rings into epic ones.
  • Paprika Powder: Just a teaspoon of this smoky wonder gives your onion rings a subtle kick, making them anything but ordinary.
  • Beer (Pilsner or Light Beer, or Sparkling Water): The bubbly hero! Beer (or sparkling water) keeps the batter light and airy, ensuring every bite is a crispy delight. Make sure your booze is vegan with our handy vegan alcohol guide!
  • Canola Oil: Perfect for frying up those rings to golden perfection. Its neutral taste does the job without overwhelming the delicate flavor of the onions.

For the Vegan Sriracha Mayo:

  • Vegan Mayo: Use homemade or store-bought plant-based mayo. There are tons on the market these days from brands like Follow Your Heart (Veganaise), Just, Trader Joe’s, Nasoya, and even Hellmann’s! Not a fan of mayo? A squeeze of lemon on top works wonders too. So simple and so good!
  • Sriracha: Add Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce to make a deliciously spicy vegan mayonnaise.

How To Make

These vegan onion rings are so good, they might just bring a tear to your eye (but in the best way possible)! Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to munching on crispy, crunchy perfection with a side of creamy, spicy homemade vegan mayo in under 30 minutes. For the full recipe, scroll to the recipe card and you’ll be golden!

Onions being cut on a wooden board.

Step 1: Prep Your Onions
Slice those yellow or white onions into thick rings and separate them. Get ready for some serious crunch action!

A batter for vegan onion rings being prepped.

Step 2: Mix the Batter
Whisk together the dry ingredients, including the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, and pepper. Then add your choice of bubbly beer (or sparkling water). You’re aiming for a smooth, thick batter that clings to your onions like it was meant to be.

An onion slice being dipped in a vegan batter.

Step 3: Fry it Up!
Preheat canola oil in a large pot to 350°F. Dip each onion ring into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated, and gently drop it into the hot oil.

Battered onions being fried in hot oil.

Fry until they’re golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding.

Vegan onion rings being transferred from hot oil to a plate.

Step 4: Drain and Season
Transfer the onion rings to paper towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while they’re hot to enhance that delicious flavor.

An immersion blender blending up vegan mayo.

Step 5: Make the Vegan Mayo
Simply blend together vegan mayo and Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.

A vegan onion ring being dipped in plant-based mayo.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Pair your crispy onion rings with the zesty sriracha mayo, or your favorite dipping sauce. Get ready to impress your taste buds and anyone else lucky enough to share these with you.

How To Make Onion Rings Without Eggs

Many traditional onion ring recipes rely on eggs to create a binding batter that clings to the onions and fries up golden and crispy. Eggs provide structure and help the batter puff up nicely during frying, giving that familiar crunchy texture we all love. However, our vegan onion rings achieve the same delicious results without any eggs. By using a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and a fizzy ingredient like beer or sparkling water, we create a batter that delivers that perfect crunch without compromising on flavor or texture.

Golden vegan onion rings on a tabletop.

Serving Suggestions

These vegan onion rings are incredibly versatile and can elevate any meal or event. Whether you’re keeping it casual or going for something a bit more creative, here are some fantastic ways to serve them:

  • Classic Snack: Serve them hot with a side of our vegan Sriracha mayo or your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, a spritz of lemon, or even malt vinegar.
  • Veggie Burger Topping: Add a crunchy layer to your black bean burgers. The crispy onion rings add texture and flavor that makes your burger unforgettable.
  • Party Appetizer: Perfect for game day, potlucks, or any gathering. Pile them high on a platter with an array of dips and watch them disappear.
  • Sandwich Enhancer: Stack them in your favorite vegan sandwich or on the side for added flavor and crunch. They’re particularly great with BBQ tempeh or a smoky tofu sandwich.
  • Side Dish: Serve alongside vegan mac and cheese, coleslaw, or sweet potato fries for a delicious comfort food feast.

A Truly All-Purpose Batter!

This vegan batter is so good you can use it for many other preparations. You can prep some vegetables, tofu, or tempura by cutting them into uniform, bite-sized chunks: same idea, same procedure. Cut your veggies (think zucchini, red peppers, mushrooms, and carrots) or plant-based protein, cover them in the batter and fry them up.

Why not use this to make some vegan fish and chips? Yes! You can give it a shot! Just grab a tofu piece the size of a deck of cards and season it with some salt and pepper. Make sure you drain the tofu thoroughly before you season it! Then wrap it in a nori sheet and soak in the batter. Fry and enjoy!

FAQs

Are battered onion rings vegan?

Traditional battered onion rings often contain eggs and dairy, making them not vegan. However, you can easily make a plant-based version by using substitutes like beer or sparkling water in the batter.

Are Burger King’s onion rings vegan?

Burger King’s onion rings are not vegan as they contain whey, a dairy byproduct. Additionally, they are often cooked in shared fryers with non-vegan items.

How do you make a crispy onion ring batter without eggs?

To make a crispy batter without eggs, use a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and a fizzy liquid like beer or sparkling water. This mixture provides the perfect light and crunchy texture.

Are Applebee’s onion rings vegan?

Applebee’s onion rings are not suitable for vegans. Their batter typically includes eggs and milk, and they may be fried in the same oil as animal products.

Elevate your snacking game with these irresistibly crispy vegan onion rings. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, they deliver a satisfying crunch with every bite. Made with a simple, egg-free beer batter, these plant-based treats are sure to become a favorite in your vegan recipe repertoire. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy the perfect blend of flavor and texture!

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Crispy Vegan Onion Rings

5 from 7 votes
Prepare yourself for a snack attack of epic proportions. These vegan onion rings are like the marriage of crunchy, golden bar food and your plant-based dreams. Whether you’re munching solo or sharing (props to you for sharing), these crispy, savory rings are the snack you didn’t know you were missing. Let’s get frying!
A stack of vegan onion rings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

Ingredients for onion rings

  • 2 large onions, yellow or white
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika powder
  • teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup beer, a pilsner or other light beer, or sparkling water
  • canola oil, for frying

Ingredients for sriracha mayo

  • ¼ cup vegan mayo
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha, adjust to taste

Instructions

Instructions for onion rings

  • Peel and slice onions into ½-inch (1–2 cm) rings, and separate them.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, and pepper until uniformly combined. Pour in the beer and whisk gently, just until a smooth batter is formed. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding more flour if it’s too runny or more beer if it’s too thick.
  • In a large pot, add the canola oil (enough to cover the onion rings) and heat the frying oil to 350°F.
  • Dip each onion ring into the batter, cover fully, and add to the oil. Work in batches to prevent overcrowding in the pot.
  • Let the onion rings cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy.
  • Transfer the onion rings onto paper towels to remove excess oil. Sprinkle with more salt and enjoy with the sriracha mayo, ketchup, vegan ranch, or your favorite dip.

Instructions for sriracha mayo

  • In a small bowl, combine the vegan mayo and Sriracha. Add more Sriracha if desired, depending on your spice preference.
  • Store mayo in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

Chill the Batter: For an extra crispy texture, let your batter rest in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before dipping the onions. The cold batter hitting the hot oil helps create an even crispier coating.
Dry the Onions: Make sure your onion slices are as dry as possible before dipping them into the batter. Excess moisture can cause the batter to slip off during frying.
Fry in Small Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pot to keep the oil temperature from dropping. Frying in small batches ensures each onion ring cooks to crispy perfection.
Experiment with Dips: While the vegan mayo is a fantastic choice, don’t be afraid to try other dipping sauces. Vegan ranch, spicy mustard, or even a sweet chili sauce can add exciting flavor twists.
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.
Reheating: To bring back the crispiness, reheat the onion rings in an oven or air fryer. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. If using an air fryer, heat at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
Avoid the Microwave: Reheating onion rings in the microwave can make them soggy. Stick to the oven or air fryer for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 839mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Course — Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine — American
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5 from 7 votes

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Recipe Rating




10 comments
  1. 5 stars
    I’m a sucker for onion rings, but I’d never tried making my own before! They turned out so well. Thanks for the recipe!

  2. My husband loves onion rings so I definitely will take a try at this recipe! Homemade is always best

  3. 5 stars
    Can’t wait to make them again! Tooo good!

  4. 5 stars
    Oh snap! These look delicious and highly susceptible of being devoured in one sitting!

    • Just made these for the first ever time and they are delish! I doubled on the Paprika for an extra bite!

      Does anyone know if they are freezeable so I can batch make them for next time?

      • Yay!! I haven’t tried freezing them, and I’m not too optimistic about how they’d turn out, they’re definitely best fresh. If you do try it, let us know how it goes!! -Michelle 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    Onion rings are one of my all-time favorite fried treats and this recipe already has me drooling. I also love the mention of using sparkling water if beer is not available or desired!

  6. 5 stars
    Crisp and savory in one single bite! The batter is the literally the best part (though I do like the onion, too). Pairing these golden, onion-y circles with the cool, creamy mayo is over-the-top perfection. A must have for any party (even if it’s for a party of one – YOU!) 😀

  7. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    The perfect appetizer for a Friday night a get-together! These onion rings are so good! You have to try them!

  8. 5 stars
    Hollerrrr! I never even considered making my own onion rings before this, but now I NEEED to!! I can’t even believe I once hated onions. They’re now one of my faves!!

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