Go Back

French Fried Onion Strings

Crispy, delicious fried onion strings that enhance any meal with their savory crunch, perfect for topping casseroles, salads, or burgers.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Onion Preparation
  • 1 piece sweet onion Look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a bright, smooth skin.
Soaking Mixture
  • 2 cups buttermilk You can substitute with a dairy-free alternative like almond or soy milk.
Coating
  • 2 cups All-Purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Frying
  • neutral cooking oil (as needed) For frying, heated to 375°F.

Method
 

Preparation of Onions
  1. Peel the sweet onion and cut it in half through the root. Lay the cut side down and slice into half-moons.
  2. Place sliced onions in a bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Let soak for at least 30 minutes.
Heating Oil and Preparing Coating
  1. While onions soak, heat two inches of neutral cooking oil in a deep pot to 375°F.
  2. In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder.
Coating and Frying
  1. After soaking, drain the onions in a colander to remove excess buttermilk.
  2. Toss the drained onions in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
  3. Gently place coated onions into hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
  4. Fry for about 3-5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
  5. Repeat the frying process until all onions are cooked.

Notes

Store leftover onion strings in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Re-crisp in an oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.