If you’re tired of french fries on the side, reach for onion rings as an easy alternative! When I show you how to cook frozen onion rings in the air fryer, you’ll never want them any other way. It’s quick, easy, and delivers the crispy result you want from your fried foods.
Can You Cook Frozen Onion Rings in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen onion rings in an air fryer.
In fact, making frozen onion rings in the air fryer is quicker than an oven method. Compared to deep frying, you’ll cut way down on the oil.
There’s no comparing the crisp level you’ll get here either, meaning it’s far better than a mushy microwave cooking method.
It’s the same way I feel about cooking frozen egg rolls in the air fryer. Easy, crispy, and delicious!
What Air Fryer Temperature Do You Need for Frozen Onion Rings?
The best air fryer temperature for frozen onion rings is 350 degrees F.
Remember, you’re only really reheating the frozen rings, so the goal is to get them cooked through, while keeping the exterior golden and crunchy.
It’s the same reason I drop the temps when cooking bagel bites in the air fryer. Those frozen, pre-cooked foods get brown quickly!
If you prefer a much darker, crunchier exterior, then your frozen onion rings may be cooked at 400 degrees.
However, I find cooking at a higher temperature tends to make the outside close to burned before the inside is cooked through.
Should that be your preference, though, no judgment here!
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Onion Rings in an Air Fryer?
You should cook frozen onion rings for between 6 and 8 minutes in the air fryer.
If you want your onion rings more brown and crispy, you may want to cook up to 10 minutes total. Just make sure to use small time increments and check frequently for desired level of doneness.
Make sure not to overcrowd your basket so there’s ample air circulation. The onion rings don’t have to be perfectly in a single layer, but don’t overdo it.
Also note that the time to cook may vary based on temperature, size of onion rings, size of the air fryer, and brand of onion rings. However, this is a great starting point and you can adjust as you go.
Cook up some tasty mini corn dogs in the air fryer to go alongside your onion rings! Or if you need some additional appetizers to watch the big game, then learn how to make frozen mac and cheese bites in the air fryer.
How to Cook Frozen Onion Rings in the Air Fryer: Step By Step Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F
- Place frozen onion rings in preheated air fryer basket, as close to a single layer as possible
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees, shaking the basket to flip halfway through cooking
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce
It’s so easy to cook frozen onion rings in the air fryer, and since it takes so little time it’s simple to get a side ready for your burgers in minutes.
If you have a dual basket fryer, you can even cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer on one side and the frozen onion rings on the other. That’s a kid-friendly quick dinner for sure!
What Brand of Frozen Onion Ring is Best for the Air Fryer?
Any brand of frozen onion ring works well in an air fryer. So, in terms of what is actually best, it’s all up to personal taste. Our two favorite brands to use in the air fryer are the battered Nathan’s frozen onion rings and the breaded Red Robin frozen onion rings.
Here are some popular frozen onion ring brands if you’d like to cook them all in your air fryer to compare and find a favorite:
- Alexia crispy frozen onion rings with panko breading and sea salt
- Ore Ida gourmet frozen onion rings
- Nathan’s thick sliced battered onion rings
- Great Value battered frozen onion rings
- Red Robin crispy frozen onion rings
- McCain craft beer battered frozen onion rings
- Farm Rich battered frozen onion rings
- Trader Joe’s frozen onion rings
Since they’re frozen, the battered version works equally as well as the breaded in your air fryer. This is unlike making homemade onion rings in the air fryer where you’re limited to breaded due to the mess.
Related Recipes
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how easy it is to make frozen onion rings in the air fryer, you’ll have a way to change up the old fries as a side anytime.
You can also learn how to make homemade Air Fryer Beer Batter Onion Rings for a completely different flavor!
These rings go great alongside a burger, which incidentally may also be cooked in your air fryer. Learn how over in our best Chefman air fryer recipes!
Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 oz Frozen onion rings (about 6 rings)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F
- Place frozen onion rings in preheated air fryer basket, as close to a single layer as possible3 oz Frozen onion rings
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees, shaking the basket to flip halfway through cooking
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce
Notes
- There’s no need to add any oil as the frozen rings come with it already in the batter
- Feel free to add extra cooking time in smaller (1-3 minute) increments for deeper color or crispiness
- If you stack too many, additional cooking time will be needed. Try to keep it as close to a single layer as possible, though some overlap is alright
- Recommended sauces for dipping: Ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, campfire sauce, barbecue sauce, southwest sauce, horsey sauce, or your favorites!
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific brand used and any sauces consumed, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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