Gluten-Free Onion Rings

These gluten-free onion rings have a crispy and crunchy exterior, with a soft, sweet onion interior. The gluten-free batter is so easy to make and makes the BEST onion rings. Seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, the batter is light and crispy thanks to club soda. Dip your onion rings in ranch dressing, ketchup, BBQ sauce or even marinara for a delicious gluten-free appetizer!
A close up of gluten free onion rings topped with parsley on a parchment lined baking sheet with ketchup peaking in.
A close up of gluten free onion rings topped with parsley on a parchment lined baking sheet with ketchup peaking in.

Onion rings were one of the things I missed once I was diagnosed with celiac disease. They’re typically made with all-purpose flour and fried in shared fryers at restaurants, so they are sadly not gluten-free. If you’ve missed onion rings, too, this gluten-free onion rings recipe is just what you need!

These gluten-free onion rings are battered with a gluten-free flour and club soda batter that is so light and airy. It provides the perfect crunchy coating for sweet vidalia onions. 

The batter is perfectly seasoned with paprika, garlic powder and black pepper and fried until golden and crispy. You will not be able to tell they are gluten-free at all. 

This recipe is easy-to-follow with step by step images so that you can make these onion rings perfectly every time. The batter comes together really easily and the onions take just a few quick minutes to fry in the hot oil. Be sure to follow all of the tips and tricks below for perfect onion rings. 

You’ll love this recipe because:

  • They’re versatile. These onion rings are a great appetizer or side dish for any occasion. They can be served as a snack, party food, or as a side with burgers, sandwiches, or hot dogs. They’re also a great vegetarian option that everyone can enjoy.
  • They’re gluten-free. While most onion rings are full of gluten, this recipe is made to be gluten-free. Using a gluten-free flour blend and cornstarch makes this delicious recipe without any of the wheat!
  • They’re dairy-free and vegan. Most batters use eggs and buttermilk coating for their onion rings, but I love to use club soda for my onion ring batter. It’s really light and naturally dairy-free and vegan!

Ingredients

An overhead view of ingredients in bowls to make gluten free onion rings, including vidalia onions, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, club soda, cornstarch, gluten-free flour blend, vegetable oil and salt with text overlays over each ingredient.

Ingredient Notes

  • Vegetable oil or canola oil – You can use any high-heat oil for frying onion rings, but vegetable oil or canola oil are good options. Make sure the oil is fresh and clean, and use enough oil to fully submerge the onion rings. I use about 1.5-2 quarts in a 5.5 quart dutch oven so the oil comes up about ⅓ of the way on the pot. You want the oil to be about 3-4 inches up the way up the pan. 
  • Vidalia onions – Sweet onions, like vidalia onions, walla-walla, or maui onions, are my favorite for onion rings. Where I live, it seems easier to find vidalia onions opposed to the other two, so that’s what I use. If you can’t find any sweet onions, a yellow onion will work as well. 
  • Gluten-free flour blend – To thicken the batter, you’ll need flour. To make this recipe gluten-free, I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour (in the blue bag). For this recipe, any gluten-free flour blend that is meant to be used as a 1-to-1 swap with all-purpose flour will work. 
  • Baking powder – The addition of baking powder helps create a crispy coating on the onions. It reacts with the club soda, creating bubbles so that the batter stays light and airy. Make sure your baking powder is fresh and active.
  • Spices – I used a combination of paprika, salt and garlic powder to season the onion rings. Feel free to change up the seasoning to suit your taste.
  • Club soda – Many onion ring recipes will use beer for a beer battered coating. Instead, I love to use club soda. While it doesn’t provide any flavor like beer does, it marks the crispiest onion rings! I love it!
  • Cornstarch – You’ll want to coat the onions in cornstarch before they go into the batter so that the batter will easily adhere to the onions. If you can’t have corn, you can also dust the onions in arrowroot starch instead. 

Be sure to slice the onions evenly and not too thick. I like my slices to be about ⅓-inch wide. This helps the onion rings cook evenly and in the appropriate amount of time so that the batter is cooked at the same time the onions are tender and soft. 

Step-by-Step instructions

These gluten free onion rings are made with simple ingredients and a fun indulgence every once in awhile! If you are not familiar with deep frying, the below steps with matching photos will help you see the recipe at various stages to help you make your own deep fried onion rings at home!

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

A large white dutch oven with oil in it.
Add the vegetable oil to a dutch oven with tall sides. Heat it until it reaches 365F.
A glass mixing bowl with gluten-free flour blend, garlic powder, paprika and salt before mixing together.
While the oil is heating, combine the gluten-free flour, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
A glass mixing bowl with a gluten-free flour blend topped with club soda that has began to bubble up.
Pour the club soda into the dry ingredients. It will start to bubble up immediately.
A glass mixing bowl with gluten-free batter and a whisk.
Whisk the batter until smooth.
A cornstarch dipped onion ring on a fork over a bowl of additional cornstarch.
In a separate bowl, add the cornstarch. Dip the onion rings into the cornstarch, tapping off any excess cornstarch.
An onion ring dipped in gluten-free batter with a fork.
Add the cornstarch dusted onions to the gluten-free batter. Remove them carefully with a fork or tongs.
A wire spider spatula removing a gluten free onion ring from a pot of hot oil.
Working in batches of 3-4 onions, fry the onions at 365F for 1-2 minutes per side, until the batter is golden. Repeat with remaining onions.
A parchment lined baking sheet of gluten free onion rings with ramekeins of ketchup and ranch with additional plates of onion rings in the background.
Let the onion rings drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Once done, serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.

Recipe FAQs

Are onion rings gluten-free?

Typically, onion rings are not gluten-free. They are made from a batter that has all-purpose flour in it and sometimes even beer. Further, many fryers at restaurants are shared with other gluten-containing ingredients, so even if you find a restaurant with gluten-free onion rings, be sure they’re fried in a dedicated fryer. This recipe is formulated to be gluten-free, using a gluten-free flour blend and club soda. 

How do you get batter to stick to onion rings?

The onion rings are first dusted in cornstarch which will help the batter stick to the onion rings. Also be sure that your oil is the correct temperature so the batter doesn’t slide off the onions in the oil. My preferred frying temperature is 365F-370F.

What type of onion is best for onion rings?

I like to use vidalia onions because they are sweet and mild. You can also use yellow onions or white onions, but they have a stronger flavor that may be overpowering for some.

hints & tips

  • Vidalia onions are a popular choice for onion rings because of their sweet and mild flavor. However, you can also use other types of onions like yellow onions or white onions. Just make sure to choose onions that are firm and fresh.
  • Frying too many onion rings at once can cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in soggy onion rings. Fry the onion rings in batches to ensure that they cook evenly and become crispy.
  • After frying the onion rings, drain them on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil and ensure they stay crispy. Sprinkle with salt while still warm to enhance the flavor.
  • Onion rings are best served hot and fresh out of the fryer. Serve them immediately after frying to ensure they’re at their best.
  • However, if you need to keep them hot a while longer, place the onion rings on a baking sheet in a 200F oven while the rest of the onion rings fry in the oil. 

Storage instructions

  • Storage: While I find fresh onion rings to have the best taste and texture, if you have leftover onion rings, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. 
  • Freezer Option: You can also freeze leftover onion rings. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and flash freeze for an hour until solid. Then place the frozen onion rings in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. 
  • Reheat: Reheat leftover onion rings in the oven or air fryer at 400F until crispy for best results. I don’t recommend microwaving onion rings since they will get soggy. I personally love to reheat them in the air fryer, which just takes a few minutes to get them warm and crispy again.

Gluten-free onion rings on a parchment lined baking sheet with a ramekin of ranch and a ramekin of ketchup.

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know! Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also share your pictures and tag @adashofmegnut on Instagram.

A close up of gluten free onion rings topped with parsley on a parchment lined baking sheet with ketchup peaking in.

Gluten-Free Onion Rings

These gluten-free onion rings have a crispy and crunchy exterior, with a soft, sweet onion interior. The gluten-free batter is so easy to make and makes the BEST onion rings. Seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, the batter is light and crispy thanks to club soda. Dip your onion rings in ranch dressing, ketchup, BBQ sauce or even marinara for a delicious gluten-free appetizer!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 308kcal
Author: Megan

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts vegetable oil or canola oil or peanut oil
  • 2 large vidalia or yellow onions (sliced and separated into rings)
  • 1 cup gluten-free flour blend (144g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup club soda
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch (43g)

Instructions

  • In a medium sized pot, pour in vegetable oil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot so that the tip is sticking in the oil. Place heat on medium and let it reach 365F.
  • Meanwhile, slice your vidalia onions into 1/3 inch slices. Separate the onion slices into rings.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, paprika, salt and garlic powder.
  • Pour in the club soda and stir until a smooth batter forms and no more lumps remain. Set aside.
  • Coat the onion rings in the cornstarch and tap off any excess. This will help them adhere to the gluten-free batter.
  • Dip 3-4 onion rings in the batter at a time. Remove with a mesh sieve or slotted spoon and tap off any excess batter.
  • Once the oil has reached a temperature of 365F, carefully add the battered onions into the hot oil in batches.
  • Fry for 1-2 minutes per side, until they are golden brown.
  • Remove with a mesh spatula and place on a paper towel to remove the excess oil. Repeat with the remaining onions.
  • Serve immediately with ketchup, ranch, mayo or BBQ sauce.

Notes

  • Nutritional information is only meant to be used as a guide. I assumed 10% oil absorption for the nutritional calculation which can vary. 
  • Fry the onion rings in batches. Frying too many onion rings at one time can cause the temperature of the oil to drop, creating soggy onion rings that are greasy and oily. 
  • If you have celiac disease or are on a gluten-free diet, be sure to double check that all of your ingredients are gluten-free. Use clean oil and do not reuse oil that has been used to fry other gluten-full dishes. 
  • I used 2 large vidalia onions for this recipe, and got about 40 onion rings total. 

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ADashofMegnut or tag #adashofmegnut!
about megan

I’m Megan

A gluten-free food blogger from Chicago and lover of all things food, showing you gluten-free can be easy and delicious, too. Let’s make gluten-free stress free together! Read more…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Lovely! This batter also works great for cheese curds.