These Crispy Grain Free Onion Rings are the perfect indulgent snack that doesn't use any gluten, grains or dairy! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these onion rings are a healthified version of a classic restaurant appetizer that are easy to make right at home!
Crispy Grain Free Onion Rings Recipe
Let me tell you....if you're not treating yourself, you're cheating yourself!
Life is all about balance, and even if you're on the healthiest of diets or restricted because of health reasons, cravings for the food you once enjoyed are inevitable.
Sometimes you just want that taste of crispy, fried restaurant style comfort food without having to worry about cross contamination, a dedicated fryer, or gluten filled ingredients. You can easily make the foods you crave at home-with better for you ingredients to go along with it!
Perfect for game day, appetizers, or a fun side dish, these onion rings are easy to make at home and go perfectly with the creamy, garlicky dipping sauce that takes them over the top. Whether you're eating grain free, gluten free, or just love the idea of a healthier onion ring, this recipe delivers serious comfort food vibes.
What ingredients do I need to make these Grain Free Onion Rings?
- Vidalia Onions. sliced into rings
- Almond Flour
- Coconut Flour
- Tapioca Flour
- Eggs
- Plant-Based Milk
- Seasonings: Paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder & salt.
- Avocado Oil
Almond flour and coconut flour gives these onion rings a nutty, crispy coating, while tapioca flour helps create that light crunch everyone loves!
Ingredients For the Garlic Aioli
Don't skip the dip! You will love dipping these onion rings in this easy garlic aioli recipe. **If you're following a strict paleo diet, be sure to use a brand of mayo and ketchup that are compliant.
- Mayo
- Ketchup
- Seasonings: garlic powder, cayenne powder & salt.
If you're building a full spread, check out our other gluten-free game day recipes, including easy appetizers, snacks, and crowd-pleasing favorites.
How to Make this Healthier Onion Ring Recipe
This recipe is easy to make! Simply slice onions into rings, then dredge in the batter.
Step 1: Prep the Onions. Slice the onions into thick rings and separate them. Pat dry with a paper towel to help the coating stick better.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station. To make the batter, mix flours and seasonings in a large bowl, then add in your eggs and milk. Coat onion rings in the batter, tapping off any extra. You only need a thin layer of batter!
Step 4: Cook Until Crispy. I went for the frying pan because baked onion rings never turn out quite as tasty in my opinion. I use avocado oil(I get a HUGE bottle at Costco!) due to it's high smoke point plus it's neutral tasting. You only need a few tablespoons to get these onion rings nice and crispy. No deep frying or refined oils needed!
How to Make Garlic Aioli Sauce
While the onion rings cook, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup and seasonings.Taste and adjust as needed. The result is a creamy, tangy garlic aioli dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with the crispy onion rings.
This sauce also works great on burgers, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for French fries.
Serving Ideas
These grain-free onion rings are incredibly versatile:
- Serve as a game day appetizer
- Pair with burgers or sandwiches
- Add to a snack board or appetizer platter
- Serve alongside grilled chicken or steak
- Enjoy as a late-night snack
Storage & Reheating
These onion rings are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crispiness. Skip the microwave if possible.
If you've tried this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!
Let's Eat!
Grain-Free Onion Rings with Garlic Aioli Sauce
Ingredients
Onion Rings
- 1 Large Vidalia Onion sliced into ¼ inch rings
- ⅓ cup Almond Flour
- 2 tablespoon Coconut Flour
- 4 tablespoon Tapioca Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup Plant Based Milk unsweetened; I used Ripple
- Avocado Oil for frying
Garlic Aioli Sauce (optional)
- ½ cup Mayo
- 1 tablespoon Ketchup
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Powder
Instructions
- Slice onions to create thick rings.
- Mix the flours and spices in a medium sized bowl.
- Add the eggs and milk- stir well. The batter should be thick, but if it's too thick, add a touch more milk.
- Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Coat onion rings in the batter, tapping off extra. You only need a thin layer of batter. Place in the hot oil and cook for a few minutes on each side until crisp and browned.
- Use tongs or a fork to remove the onion rings(they will be hot!) and wire rack to cool
- Repeat with all onions, adding more oil as needed.
Garlic Aioli Sauce
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Christina says
Best recipe ever and so easy! Have you used this same batter to fry other foods? I loved how light and crispy it is.
Thriving Gluten Free says
Hey Christina,that made my day! I have not used it to fry other foods, but I'm sure you totally could! Let me know if you try 🙂 I also have another batter recipe I've used for chicken and shrimp that you might enjoy trying. It's not grain-free, but uses gluten free all purpose flour. Here's a link to that: https://thriving-glutenfree.com/gluten-free-sweet-and-sour-chicken/
Jayde MacLean says
These onion rings are the absolute best! My whole family devoured them when I made them. This recipe was also very easy to follow.
Thank you for such a delicious recipe. We can't wait to try them again.
ThrivingGlutenFree says
So happy you and your family enjoyed them Jayde!