Transform frozen onion rings in air fryer into restaurant quality, crispy golden brown perfection in just a few minutes. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to air fry frozen onions rings compared to other methods!

Why You Will Love This Recipe
Make your own frozen onion rings in an air fryer - a simple, quick way to make this classic treat! Some benefits of using the air fryer are:
- They are crispy and delicious. The air fryer cooks the onion rings perfectly, giving them a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
- They are easy to make. This recipe for air fryer onion rings is super simple to follow, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.
- They are a healthier option. Air frying uses less oil than traditional deep frying, making this a healthier option for those who are trying to reduce their intake of unhealthy fats.
- They are versatile. You can serve these onion rings as an appetizer, snack, or even part of a meal.
- They are sure to please everyone. These crispy, golden brown onion rings are a crowd-pleaser, and they are sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
- Onion Ring Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions & Variations
- Air Fryers For Best Results
- Storage & Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Ingredients
Air fryers have changed the game on cooking frozen foods and that includes those delicious pre-made frozen onion rings. Air fryer instructions are often missing on frozen packaged foods though, so this guide will help you have perfect air fryer frozen onion rings!
- Frozen Onion Rings - Any brand.
- Vegetable oil - In an Oil Sprayer.
- Ketchup - Any brand.
- Fry Seasoning - Optional, but delicious. Sprinkle a little on while they are frozen, so the fry seasoning melts into the frozen onion rings while in the air fryer. We have the Best French Fry Seasoning recipe also!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
You'll be amazed at how crispy these homemade creations come out using minimal oil; they're healthier than their restaurant counterparts while still allowing you to indulge in an indulgent taste experience.
Read on to find out exactly how to prepare frozen onion rings in your air fryer and why it's such a great option!
Place Frozen Onion Rings In Air Fryer
- Place the frozen onion rings in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Spritz with a mist of vegetable oil using an Oil Sprayer. Flip and spritz the other side of the frozen onion rings in air fryer.
Air Fry Frozen Onion Rings
- Air fry for 6 - 8 minutes at 400℉, or until the onion rings are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (optional).
PRO TIP: Air fryers vary, so check the frozen onion rings at 6 minutes to ensure they don't over brown. You can flip them if it appears they are browning unevenly.
Onion Ring Serving Suggestions
Air fryer frozen onion rings are a great appetizer or snack. They can be served on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce. Ketchup is always great with them, but try our Chick-Fil-A Sauce or Big Mac Sauce also!
Need air fryer cooking instructions for other frozen packaged foods? See our Air Fry Frozen Pizza, Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp, and Air Fryer Hot Pockets.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions & Variations
You will find a variety of brands of frozen onion rings, some will be actual breaded onion rings, and others will be chopped onions mixed with batter and shaped into rings. Be sure to check the air fryer 2 minutes before cook time is complete each time you change brands.
You can also bread your own fresh onions ring and air fry them! Use some egg to dip sliced fresh onion rings in, then into seasoned bread crumbs or Panko. Set in the air fryer just like the frozen onion rings and air fry.
Air Fryers For Best Results
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
- Nuwave Brio Air Fryer - Rotisserie - Grill - This 15 quart countertop Smart Oven has three slide in trays, that all can be used at the same time. You can air fry rotisserie chickens, an SO mush more!
- Nuwave Air Fryer 15 quart - This large family size basket air fryer has room to air fry enough for a large family!
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer - Folds up out of the way on your counter.
- Nuwave Air Fryer 3 quart - This compact basket air fryer is perfect for singles or a small family of 2 or 3. You can air fry two frozen waffles in 4 minutes.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage & Reheating
Air fried onion rings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to eat them, simply reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 - 6 minutes, or until they're heated through.
Tips for Success
- No need to preheat your air fryer, it has minimal effect and is just a waste of electricity. Air fryers are SO small, that the convection air heats to temperature almost immediately.
- Place the onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Make sure that the onion rings are frozen before cooking. Go straight from freezer to air fryer.
- Sear the outside and cook to a minimum internal temperature, but they should still be juicy for best results.
- DO NOT USE NON STICK COOKING SPRAY in the interior of the air fryer basket, it degrades the coating and cooking elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spray both sides of the frozen onion rings with the oil sprayer (not non stick cooking spray) so that both sides of the onion rings have a light mist of oil. This crisps them up and prevents them from drying out also.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes, in a single layer.
Yes, just follow the directions on the package. It's the air fryer instructions that are usually missing on frozen prepackaged foods.
No, you don't, but they do turn out even more like fresh deep fried onion rings if you give them a sheer spritz of oil with the oil sprayer before air frying.
This will vary usually from 6 minutes to 12 minutes depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer, as well as the temperature. Until you know how your air fryer cooks, check half way through the cook time to adjust.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Frozen Onion Rings In Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen onion rings any brand
- vegetable oil in an Oil Sprayer
- Ketchup optional
- ½ teaspoon French Fry Seasoning recipe optional
Instructions
- Place the frozen onion rings in the air fryer basket in a single layer.16 oz frozen onion rings
- Spritz with a mist of vegetable oil using an Oil Sprayer. Flip and spritz the other side of the frozen onion rings in air fryer. Sprinkle with Fry Seasoning, if desired.vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon French Fry Seasoning recipe
- Air fry for 6 - 8 minutes at 400℉, or until the onion rings are golden brown and crispy.PRO TIP: Air fryers vary, so check the frozen onion rings at 6 minutes to ensure they don't over brown. You can flip them if it appears they are browning unevenly.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (optional).Ketchup
Notes
- No need to preheat your air fryer, it has minimal effect and is just a waste of electricity. Air fryers are SO small, that the convection air heats to temperature almost immediately.
- Place the onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Make sure that the onion rings are frozen before cooking. Go straight from freezer to air fryer.
- Sear the outside and cook to a minimum internal temperature, but they should still be juicy for best results.
- DO NOT USE NON STICK COOKING SPRAY in the interior of the air fryer basket, it degrades the coating and cooking elements.
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