- Canola or vegetable oil
- 2 large vidalia (sweet) onions, cut into ΒΌ" slices
- 2 C buttermilk
- 4 t kosher salt, divided
- 2 t fresh ground black pepper, divided
- 2 C flour
In another separate shallow bowl, whisk together flour, 2 t salt, and 1 t pepper.
Drain the onions from the buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture.
The recipe states to let them sit in the flour for about 15 minutes, all coated and delicious looking.
And now? You are ready to get your fry on.
The instructions that come with the Ninja tell you how to cook battered foods versus frozen foods. For battered foods, you start by placing the frying basket into the oil.
And using tongs and oven mitts, you individually add food to the basket, holding with tongs for 3 seconds under oil before releasing. As you can probably guess, it took me quite a few batches to get all of these onions fried up.
When I had a single layer of onions in the basket, I put the top on the fryer and let the batch of rings fry for about 2 minutes.
You can watch as your food turns golden.
And then raise the basket up and let the onion rings drain a bit.
Remove with tongs, to a paper towel-lined cookie sheet.
And then get going on the other batches.
Phew!
Of course, there was a little smokiness in my apartment, but I have the MOST sensitive smoke detectors in the world (and once they go off, there's NO stopping them and they make you believe you are about to burn down the entire apartment complex) and they didn't make a peep throughout my frying escapades.
And then I indulged. Holy moly. I definitely indulged. Because these onion rings were freaking addicting.
There are two essential things you must serve with these onion rings. Beer and ketchup.
Well, the beer is totally necessary and I served Night Shift's Viva Habanera with the onion rings. Which I might have had as a meal. Oops.
And maybe I never told you about my ketchup obsession. I can't remember. These onion rings totally don't need ANY dipping sauces, but I take any opportunity I can to use food as a vehicle for ketchup. I actually don't even like french fries that much, but if there's ketchup, I'll eat them. If I had to choose between french fries and ketchup, I'd likely choose ketchup. With a spoon. But if it was between these onion rings and ketchup, I'd have to go the way of the onion rings.
The best thing is that, while frying used to feel like such a process (and safety hazard), the Ninja Frying System made it so easy and mess-free. That's the best thing, but also maybe the worst thing because now I want to fry all the time. Anything and everything. Did you know I once had fried kool-aid? And fried jelly beans? Just the proof I needed to know that there's nothing that cannot be fried. But also that that doesn't necessarily mean everything should be fried. Because fried kook-aid? Not necessary.
Onions are good though. Onions are always good fried.
There are a bazillion other foods you can fry in the Ninja Frying System and you can find quite a few on their website. I cannot wait to make my first batch of doughnuts in the system. Though easy doughnuts could be the most dangerous things in the world for me. Get home from work at 8:00 p.m. and feeling a craving? No problem! Mix up some dough, heat up the oil in the Ninja and you're good to go. Making easy arancini is also going to be a hazard in my life. But a welcome one.
Compounding the simplicity of using the Ninja is the fact that their website also has several videos showing you exactly how to use the system. Totally foolproof.
So, have I sold you on the fact that you absolutely need a fryer in your life?? And that the Ninja is the most fabulous option? Good.
I'm quite thrilled with my Ninja Fryer and slow cooker for the time being, but I can't help be a liiiiitle bit curious about what cooking appliance Ninja will be pulling out of their sleeve next.
[Sues]
Bill says
I'd try frying a snickers bar!
Simply Life says
Oh these look incredible! I've been craving croquettes so that's definitely what I would make!
Matthew says
Doughnuts!
Becca says
Sweet potato fries or doughnuts
great diets says
This is my first time go to see at here and i am genuinely pleassant to read
everthing at alone place.
Betty says
Since those onion rings have seriously made me drool this morning, It would have to be onion rings (which I love, but never make myself because frying is such a hassle.) Next up would be french fries. I'm a ketchup lover too. π
Karen says
Yummmm love onion rings! I made fried chicken once and it was so delicious but the clean up was not fun and worrying about the oil temp (no kitchen thermometer here, oops!) was something else. This product looks pretty neat! I would love to try and make homemade chicken tenders in the Ninja!
Erica says
sweet potato fries! oh my gosh! What a dangerous kitchen device to own π The onion rings look amazing
Michaela says
I would love to try my hand at homemade mozerella sticks! Yummy!
Michaela says
I follow you on twitter as well.
Erin W says
Arancini! (and I'll have to start doing two a days at the gym immediately after but somehow I think it'll be completely worth it)
Emily says
I'd love to fry indian pakora or sweet potato fries.
Carol says
I'd try my hand at donuts!
Maria says
Carny food! Corn dogs, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos! The list goes on and on!
mk says
Have never used a deep fryer before - I think I'd try some jalepeno poppers.
Kristi says
I'd love to break in the ninja with a spicy blooming onion...
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
I'd make my SUPER EASY CRONUTS!--Pillsbury Grands biscuits + donut shape + fry oil + ganache = cronut. Bam.
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
And I'm following you on Twitter
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
And on Facebook π
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I'd actually try onion rings. We have so many onions in the garden right now and my husband loves onion rings but I have to make them in hot oil on top of the stove.. and they never turn as good as a deep fryer!
After that I would make donuts. All the time!
And wings!
Danielle says
I'd love to make fried calamari. So delicious but temperamental!
Danielle says
I follow on Facebook as well.
Shannon says
Doughnuts - made baked ones recently and they're just not the same.
Gretchen Alice says
Fried pickles, for sure, but those onion rings look amazing.
Jessie says
Those look so good!! I'd definitely do pickles first.
Ann says
My husband says that out of all the fancy things I cook for him, I never make his childhood favorite because it requires a fryer. He calls it, generically, "Chinese food," and as far as I can tell it involves fried chicken. In any case, I'd give it a shot!
Abby says
I'd make jalapeno poppers.
Abby says
I follow on Twitter.
Emily says
I avoid frying because of the process but I'd love to actually fry my falafel, or aranchini. These onion rings look pretty amazing!
lisa says
buffalo wings!
Emily says
tweet ya later! @threebiterule
Sherry Lykins says
I would make homemade french fries!! [email protected]
Chelsey says
Onion Rings!! I made them in my culinary class and was obsessed!
tripp says
I'd do up some beer-battered shrimp!
tripp says
I followed you on twitter.
tripp says
I already follow you on facebook.
KathrynK says
I would fry onion rings!!!
Katie says
I'd have to go with sweet potato fries! But those onion rings look mighty tempting...=)
Anne says
I would fry italian stuffed olives!
Katie says
I also follow on Twitter...
Katie says
...and Facebook!
Sue K. says
I'd make fried mac and cheese bites! I've been wanting to make them for a while but also have a super sensitive smoke detector.
Sue K. says
Also following on Twitter! (@sweet26tweets)
Nicole Secondi says
I'd love to fry onion rings, of course!!
Kelly D says
I would fry up breaded mushrooms. Thanks!
Jess @ Sweet Athena says
Not to be boring in my answer, but I would have to try these onion rings!!!! YUM!
Michelle Collins says
You don't have to enter me in the giveaway - I just wanted to say that I've TOTALLY had those work dreams. They are the absolute worst!
Katie says
maybe some jalapeno poppers!
Diane Vandermast says
I'm drooling over those onion rings, so they'd have to be first (maybe with a side of fried chicken?) π
Diane Vandermast says
I already liked you on Facebook.
Danyell says
Pickles!!!! yum!
Amy says
I would absolutely love to fry up some Southern hush puppies and okra!
Have been craving these two things!
Diet That works says
This site was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Kudos!
Danielle says
Following on Twitter as well.
Lexi says
I really want to try frying a cupcake...is that weird?!?
Lexi says
I already follow you on twitter, of course!
Lexi says
I'm also a facebook fan! Of course π
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I would just have to try these onion rings! We love onion rings!!
Meghan says
Ohhh how I love fried food! I would love to fry up some scallops and shrimp.
Joanna says
I would try fried avocados!! π but i have a krispy kreme donut recipe that's been sitting around because I'm a bit afraid of trying to fry it on the stovetop....but donuts would be next! π
jan says
YUP! I would fry pickles! Love your blog!
Mark G says
Tortilla chips.
Shannon C says
Fried avocado!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
These onion rings look great! I'd fry anything I could think of using that Ninja fryer!
kathy says
I would fry Buffalo Chicken wings. Hands down, then I'd fry up some onion rings to go with them. Yummmmmers!!!
Pam U says
French fries would be my first frying attempt - a classic, but oh so good!
Beth says
Onion rings or fish
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Doughnuts. cause you're so right, fried doughnuts are way better than baked π These onion rings are gorgeous!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I like you on Facebook!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
And twitter!!
Steel Springs says
I'd either make onion rings (one of my husband's favorites) or sweet potato fries.
Steel Springs says
I follow you on Twitter (@runsteelsprings).
Scott says
Definitely french fries
catharine says
gotta fry up some fries!!
Tasha says
Sweet potato fries first, those onion rings second!
TomF says
I would finaly make Coconut shrimp
Ashley says
I would probably cook mozzarella sticks/bites or onion rings first. Most onion rings are too much batter, not enough onion. I would love to make my own.
Ashley says
I already follow you on twitter!
Ashley says
And liked you on FB!
Blessie Nelson says
I would first fry up cayenne peppered battered squid rings with this amazing fryer! So excited about this giveaway! Frying up onion rings also come to a close second! Thanks for the opportunity!
Blessie Nelson says
I like you on FB - Blessie nelson
Blessie Nelson says
I follow you on twitter - @Bless_Eliz
Margot C says
I sounds crazy but I read this recipe for avocado slices coated with panko crumbs fried that I really want to make!
Gia Grossman says
I want to make those onion rings! But I'd also probably fry everything in my kitchen lol!
Margot C says
I follow you on Twitter as @AnnaZed
Gia Grossman says
I follow you on Twitter!
Margot C says
I like you on fb
Gia Grossman says
I liked you on Facebook!
Judy Miller says
...........sphingi............using NaNa's recipe!
Alison C. says
I'd love to try fried pickles. I heard about them on a radio show the other day!
Alison C. says
I liked you on Facebook!
joan says
I have often said to myself I should get a deep fryer, and then like you I talked myself out of it. But seeing those onion rings, which would be the first thing I make, I would love this deep fryer! They look soooo good.
Tabathia B says
boneless chicken breast
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
like on facebook: michelle b
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Carrie says
I'd fry up some beer batter fried cheese curds. Yum!
Carrie says
I am like you on FB. π
Kitchen Belleicious says
i need that ninja fryer like yesterday!
Diane Smith says
Fried chicken strips. I would LOVE this fryer!
Diane Smith says
Following you on facebook.
Diane Smith says
Following you on Twitter
Anne says
I LOVE to cook so I would fry chicken wings and experiment with various sauces for variety (buffalo, honey, teriyaki, spicy, etc.) Then I would fry onion rings and make it a sinful day!
Anne says
I follow your blog and find it very entertaining and helpful
Rae says
There is only one answer to this question: FRIED PICKLES!
Rae says
following you on twitter
Rae says
and liked you on facebook!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Mmmmnn. I would make fried asparagus and mushrooms. But having a fryer could be dangerous. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Jen says
I would make corn dogs!!!
Jen says
I follow you on facebook!
Lisa C. says
Followed on twitter π
Lisa C. says
I would love to try making this onion recipe, and that famous "flowering" version of it! Oh and I hear beer battered pickles are amazing as well.
Lisa C. says
Liked on Facebook! π
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says
Definitely avocado, sweet potato or onions!
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says
I follow on twitter!
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says
I liked on facebook!
Jenn says
I would finally attempt to double fry french fries for the perfect french fry...maybe with some truffle oil drizzled on top!
Ashley says
The first thing I would fry up would be homemade eggrolls!
Elis B. says
First thing I'd fry would be french fries.
Elis B. says
Following WANM on Twitter as @bfooduf
Elis B. says
Liked WANM on Facebook
lizzy says
I would like to try french fries!
lizzy says
I follow you on twitter (lizzyallen123)
lizzy says
I like you on facebook.
Andrea says
Cauliflower tempura, amazing!!
Karen T. says
Fry up some fish.
Brittany says
Mozzarella sticks!!!!
I follow on twitter and Facebook!
Carolyn G says
French fries
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe says
I have been craving Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls, so that would be first up...then beignets...beer-battered onion rings...tempura...ravioli...
Ferdinand says
Great article.
anne says
Even though I did not with the Ninja Fryer (Boo-Hoo) iIwould like to purchase the fryer. It says to add 3 L of oil. Do you have to add that much ? Or can yu decrease it depending on the amount you cook?
Sues says
@Anne- Hi! There is a "fill line" on the fryer and different recipes don't specify the amount of oil needed, so I'm assuming you're supposed to fill it to the line every time. However, I can't imagine you'd need to fill it all the way if just frying something small (though don't take my word for it as it could be a safety thing!). I will email my contact and see what they say π Also, you can save your oil and reuse it... so long as you're frying something similar next time!
Chefferre says
I own the slow cooker as we well, love it! I am going to fry green beans andd zuchini tonight!
Cheffette says
I own the slow cooker as we well, love it! I am going to fry green beans and zuchini tonight!