Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings

Name: Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 11 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces (225g) frozen onion rings

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You’re going to love how quick and easy it is to make this frozen onion rings air fryer recipe! With no prep work needed, Air fryer frozen onion rings are ready to serve in just a few minutes.

Suitable for vegetarian diets. Weight Watchers Points included.

the finished air fryer frozen onion rings served on a ceramic plate with a small bowl of dipping sauce

Crispy Onion Rings are a true fast-food favorite, and a perfect accompaniment to burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and more.

Luckily, it is incredibly easy to whip up a tasty batch of Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings in the comfort of your own home! Not only are they ready in just minutes, but they are also much healthier than deep fried versions.

That’s right, making frozen onion rings in air fryer is so easy. They’ll be ready to dig into in no time and with no prep time involved.

And like air fryer frozen waffle fries, these air fryer onion rings frozen don’t need to thaw before cooking.

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top down view of a plate filled with air fryer frozen onion rings

We are talking perfectly crispy onion rings with a soft tender onion inside. And since these are made with no oil in the air fryer they are much healthier and can be indulged in, guilt-free. Plus, you can reheat onion rings easily too.

Crispy onion rings are just the thing for quick meals, fun appetizers, easy snack cuisine, and side dish. And of course, what could be better for those important game day gatherings?

Other than my Air Fryer Frozen Burrito and these Air Fryer Frozen Corndogs, of course.

P.S. Air fryer onion rings are soooo great dipped into this easy-to-make Sriracha Aioli too!

Why Make This Recipe

Healthier – healthier alternative to deep fryer versions.
Really easy – simple and ready in just a few minutes.
Really crispy – onion rings cooked amazing with super crispy texture.
Affordable – just grab that budget-friendly pack of frozen onion rings.
Versatile – these can be served with your favorite dipping sauce.

Want another tool to make cooking for the next MONTH as easy as this recipe? Get my full air fryer meal plan here–for free! You can cook up an entire month’s worth of meals using your air fryer!

Ingredient Notes

This recipe uses store-bought frozen battered onion rings that have not been thawed. Frozen onion rings cook straight from frozen, and no extra oil is used in this recipe. The ones I made were also on the larger thicker side.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

So, are you ready to learn just how simple it is to cook frozen air fryer onion rings? Then gather them up and let me show you….

How To Cook Frozen Onion Rings In Air Fryer

Don’t forget to check out my best air fryer tips to get better results with every recipe.

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
Add the battered frozen onion rings to the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 7-10 minutes, and use tongs to toss them halfway through the cook time.
For crispier onion rings, feel free to continue cooking for a few more minutes, but keep an eye on them as it is easy for them to burn.
Remove from air fryer and serve immediately for best results.

image collage showing the steps for making frozen onion rings in air fryer

Frozen Onion Rings Air Fryer Temperature

My recommendation for the frozen onion rings air fryer temperature is cooking them at 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C. In my experience, air frying them at a higher temperature for a bit less time means your frozen onion rings will have a nicely crispy exterior while keeping the onion itself from being overdone.

The total time needed will depend on both the number of onion rings being cooked and the brand you use. Red Robin frozen onion rings air fryer cooking time is going to be longer since they are a thick-cut style, while the Alexia frozen onion rings generally take less time.

When cooking frozen food in the air fryer, it’s always a good idea to consult the instructions included on the packaging.

Figuring out the right temperatures can be the hardest part of air fryer cooking. To avoid getting confused, use my FREE air fryer cooking time cheat sheet. Download it instantly, and you’ll also get immediate access to my full printable library.

top down view of cooked onion rings inside the air fryer basket

Tips for Success

For the best results, cook similar-sized rings at the same time so they cook evenly and at the same rate.
Bigger thicker onion rings will take more time than smaller ones.
For the best results, please preheat your air fryer before cooking these. The hot air fryer will start crisping these up as soon as you put them in. If you don’t have a preheat button, simply set the heat to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C and run for 4 minutes.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket – the hot air needs to circulate around all sides of the onion rings so they cook evenly. So place onion rings in a single layer.
If you are using smaller air fryers, you may need to cook these in two batches.
No extra oil is needed for this recipe, which means you don’t need to oil your Air Fryer.
Use tongs to gently toss the onion rings during cooking for crispness. If you prefer you can use a spatula, but do it gently so they don’t break.
If you want your onion rings to be a little bit crisper, you may need to cook for a few minutes more, just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, and then adding more time as needed.

close up view of the completed air fryer frozen onion rings

Delicious Variations

Add Seasoning – Top with your favorite spices or seasoning blends for even more flavor.
Experiment with Different Styles – There are many different brands to choose from, so have fun sampling to see what you like best. Some of my faves include Vidalia sweet onion rings and Trader Joe’s beer battered version.

Prep Ahead And Storage

Prep Ahead – Since these go directly from your freezer to the air fryer, there is nothing to prep in advance. They are best served up freshly cooked since they will lose their crispness as they cool down.
Storage – Keep leftovers in an airtight container or storage bag inside the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat – To reheat in a preheated air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C. Do toss a couple of times during cooking. You may need to spray them with a little bit of cooking oil.

FAQs

How Long To Cook Frozen Onion Rings In Air Fryer?

How long to cook frozen onion rings in air fryer depends on the size of the onion rings and the air fryer temperature.

This recipe calls for air frying frozen onion rings for 7-10 minutes at 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C, tossing halfway through the time.

For an air fryer temperature of 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C, air fry larger, thick-cut frozen onion rings for 8-12 minutes, while smaller rings may only need 7-8 minutes.

How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings Crispy?

The best tip for how to make air fryer frozen onion rings crispy is to do not overcrowd the basket.

Leaving space between the onion rings helps ensure that the air circulates all around the food so it cooks evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket or try, you may only start with half a bag and cook in batches.

Also, it is important that you toss them halfway through the cooking time, and check for doneness. If they don’t crisp up enough in the recommended time, you can air fry for an additional couple of minutes.

While adding oil is not necessary, if you want them to be even crispier, you can lightly spray them with some olive oil spray or avocado oil.

What Are The Best Frozen Onion Rings?

There are a few different ones you can try, and determining what are the best frozen onion rings will depend on your taste.

In the thick-cut category, there are Nathan’s Onion Rings air fryer perfection and the Red Robin Frozen Onion Rings air fryer friendly.

And if you’re looking for a delicious panko coating, I recommend the Alexia Onion Rings air fryer option.

Can I Cook These In The Oven Instead?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can cook these in the oven instead.

I recommend you check the packaging for baking in the oven instructions, but a rough guideline is to cook at 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C for 14-16 minutes or until they have crisped up to your liking. Just be sure to flip them halfway through cooking time.

How To Cook Nathan’s Frozen Onion Rings in Air Fryer?

To cook Nathan’s frozen onion rings in air fryer, start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.

Then, spread them out in a single layer inside the air fryer basket or tray, making sure to leave room between each one (you’ll likely need to cook in batches).

Air fry frozen onion rings for 7-10 minutes, tossing halfway through, then remove and serve.

the finished air fryer frozen onion rings served on a plate

More Air Fryer Frozen Foods Hacks

Want to learn even more about cooking frozen foods in the air fryer? Then check out these helpful posts and easy recipes:

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings.
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries.
Air Fryer Frozen Pizza.
Air Fryer Frozen Burrito.
Air Fryer Frozen Corn Dogs.
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp.
Air Fryer Frozen Waffle Fries.
Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables.
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs.
Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli.
Air Fryer Frozen Fish.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets.
Air Fryer Frozen Taquitos.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast.
Air Fryer Frozen Potato Skins.
Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Bread
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers.
Frozen Hash Browns in Air Fryer.
Be sure to read my Air Fryer Frozen Foods post for even more tips!

Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of air fryer recipes, or start a few of my most popular recipes:

Serving Suggestions

Serve airfry frozen onion rings with any of these flavorful dipping sauces that take just 5 minutes to prepare!

Sweet and spicy Bang Bang Sauce tastes amazing on anything.
Japanese steakhouse Yum Yum Sauce is a favorite pairing in my house.
Remoulade Sauce gives these onion rings some Southern flair.
Try them with Sriracha Aioli for a nice zesty kick.
And of course, you can’t go wrong with some good ol’ ketchup, Ranch Dressing, Tartar Sauce, or Mustard.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Recommended Tools

The Best Air Fryer for ensuring you get perfect onion rings every time.
A pair of Tongs to safely toss and remove your food.
These Air Fryer Accessories can help make cooking in the air fryer even easier.

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5 from 9 votes