Crispy Onion Rings (Baked)

So here is the classic dilemma -  We love golden crispy onion rings served traditionally with ketchup, however, the prospect of coating them in cornmeal and deep-frying isn’t appealing, especially as we look at our lightly protruding bellies! Well, never to cover down under the pressure of improbabilities, we went about trying to create an almost similar tasting dish, but – baked.

The result? Would be wrong to say that they were as good as the fried ones. But, in terms of the ‘fatty and yum’ vs. ‘healthy yet good’ trade-off we will still prefer the healthier option. They were still golden crisp, still provided the flavor of caramelized onions, and were still enjoyable with chilled beer. Try’em Mate!

Ingredients

10-15 whole onion rings from 2-3 large onions

Panko bread crumbs – ½ cup (even normal bread crumbs may work and give a more uniform, although less crispy coating)

All-purpose flour – ½ cup

Egg – 1, lightly beaten

Butter milk – 3 tbsp

Garlic powder – ½ tsp

Onion powder – ½ tsp

Dried oregano – 1 tsp

Red chilli powder – ½ tsp

Salt and white pepper to taste

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 250oC
2. Make three bowls as following: a) Place half of the flour in one flat bowl b) Mix rest of the flour, buttermilk, and beaten egg in another c) Mix the breadcrumbs with the herbs and spices
3. Coat the onion rings with flour, dredge them in the egg mixture (shaking off the extra), and then coat them with the breadcrumb mixture evenly
4. Place the onion rings in a baking tray, and spray/brush oil on them evenly
5. Bake till golden crisp (About 10 minutes)