Foolproof Onion Rings

If you’ve ever craved crispy, golden-brown onion rings that are foolproof and absolutely delicious, look no further! These Foolproof Onion Rings are sure to satisfy your fried food cravings. The secret to their crispy perfection lies in a unique method of freezing the onion rings before frying. It’s a simple yet effective technique that yields onion rings with an irresistible crunch. So let’s get ready to fry up a batch of these mouthwatering onion rings that will leave you wanting more!

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 large onions, cut into ½-inch rounds
• 2 quarts peanut oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¾ cup light-flavored beer (such as PBR or Budweiser), ice-cold
• ¼ cup 80-proof vodka
• Kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Separate the onion rounds into individual rings and place them in a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag. Freeze the rings until completely frozen, which should take at least 1 hour (they can stay in the freezer for up to 1 month).
2. When you’re ready to fry, remove the frozen onion rings from the freezer bag and transfer them to a bowl. Thaw the rings under tepid running water. Dry the rings thoroughly by placing them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels. Carefully peel off the inner papery membrane from each ring and discard (the rings will become more manageable after removing the membrane). Set the rings aside.
3. Preheat the peanut oil to 375°F in a large wok or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and paprika.
5. Combine the ice-cold beer and 80-proof vodka in a small bowl.
6. Slowly add the beer mixture to the flour mixture, whisking constantly until the batter has the texture of thick paint (you may not need all of the beer). The batter should leave a trail if you drip it back into the bowl off the whisk. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
7. Dip one onion ring into the batter, making sure all surfaces are coated. Lift it out, letting the excess batter drip off, and carefully add it to the hot oil by slowly lowering it in with your fingers until just one side is sticking out, then drop it in. Repeat this process until half of the rings are in the oil.
8. Fry the rings, flipping them halfway through cooking, until they turn deep golden brown, which should take about 4 minutes. Transfer the fried rings to a large mixing bowl lined with paper towels and toss them while sprinkling salt over them. You can keep the fried rings hot in a 200°F oven on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet while you fry the remaining rings.
9. Serve the Foolproof Onion Rings immediately, and enjoy their crispy, golden goodness!

With these simple steps, you’ll have a batch of irresistibly crispy and delicious onion rings that will impress your friends and family. Enjoy the crunchy goodness of these foolproof onion rings as a delightful snack or a delectable side dish to your favorite meals.