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Onion Rings in the Ninja Frying System (and a Giveaway!)

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings.psd
If you had told me five years ago that some day in the not so far off future I'd be swooning over a deep fryer, I would have called you a crazy person. First of all, frying food isn't really necessary. Second of all, If I do want to fry, can't I just do it in a big pot of oil on the stove? Pshhh. But then I realized that baked doughnuts often don't have anything on fried doughnuts. That's one of those sad truths in life (perhaps the saddest) that I've been in denial about and trying my very best to fight. But sometimes I get weak and give in. And frying on the stovetop? I have a nightmare and it involves bringing a pot of oil up to a certain temperature and keeping it at that temperature for an extended period of time. It ranks right up there with those nightmares I have where I complete an entire day of work only to wake up and realize I haven't done a thing and still have to go have an entire day at work and do the same things I already dreamed that I did. Please tell me I'm not alone on this.
Anyway. Frying. I was already starting to realize I probably needed a fryer in my life when my friends at Ninja reached out to me and told me about their new frying system, offering to send me one to try out (Ninja also sent me their slow cooker back in October and a once crockpot-hater became a fan. Also, I met a bunch of the Ninja crew at BlogHer Food and they are all absolutely lovely people and made me love the company even more). Call it fate or an alignment of the stars, but I began swooning for this thing before it even arrived. OK, I know I say this all the time and you probably think I'm delusional, but if you're frying food at the correct temperature, it's actually not that bad. And with the Ninja Frying System, it's easy to maintain oil temperature, so food cooks 40% faster. Because you can cook quicker with the Ninja's Fusion Heat Technology and immersion basket, you get about 30% less fat than you would in other fryers. I'm not going to tell you frying is healthy because it's not. But if you're going to do it on occasion (because… doughnuts!), you're better off using a fryer like the Ninja that will allow you to get rid of a little bit of the guilt. Plus, you won't have to spend hours staring at your thermometer watching your oil temperature raise and fall and wondering how to keep it steady. Ugh. I'm so excited that nightmare can end.
Of course, the Ninja Frying System comes with a little recipe booklet and because it was my first time using the fryer, I decided to follow a recommended recipe. Southern onion rings, here I come! I'm a big fan of all kinds of onion rings (always choose them over french fries), but loved that these looked especially thin and kind of string-like. And the ingredient list was super simple.
Southern Onion Rings in the Ninja Frying System (serves about 4):
  • Canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 large vidalia (sweet) onions, cut into ¼" slices
  • 2 C buttermilk
  • 4 t kosher salt, divided
  • 2 t fresh ground black pepper, divided
  • 2 C flour
Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Ingredients.jpg
When you usually wear contacts and you try slicing onions while wearing your glasses, you will notice a major difference. Seriously.
Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Sliced Onions.jpg
Getting the fryer ready was super easy. I simply placed the oil reservoir and control panel in the system, filled it with oil to the fill line, and attached the power cord (it's a magnetic safety power cord). Lastly, I attached the basket handle.
There aren't a ton of buttons on the fryer, so it's tough to get confused as you're going along. You choose how long you want to fry for and then input the temperature you want the oil to reach. For the onion rings, I wanted 375 degrees.
Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Timer.jpg
Then you hit start and the oil will start heating up! When it reaches the right temperature, it will beep and let you know it's ready to go.
But before you can fry, you need to finish up the onions!
In one large bowl, combine buttermilk, 2 t salt, and 1 t pepper. Coat the onions in this buttermilk mixture.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Buttermilk Onions.jpg

In another separate shallow bowl, whisk together flour, 2 t salt, and 1 t pepper.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Flour.jpg

Drain the onions from the buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Onions Drenched.jpg

The recipe states to let them sit in the flour for about 15 minutes, all coated and delicious looking.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Onions Drenched 2.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Frying System.jpg

You can watch as your food turns golden.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Fry Basket.jpg

And then raise the basket up and let the onion rings drain a bit.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Fry Basket Rings.jpg

Remove with tongs, to a paper towel-lined cookie sheet.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings First Batch.jpg

And then get going on the other batches.

Phew!

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings Cookie Sheet.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 2.jpg

There are two essential things you must serve with these onion rings. Beer and ketchup.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 7.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 3.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 6.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 7.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 8.jpg

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.

Ninja Fryer Onions Rings 9.jpg

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]

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bill says

    I'd try frying a snickers bar!

  2. Simply Life says

    Oh these look incredible! I've been craving croquettes so that's definitely what I would make!

  3. Matthew says

    Doughnuts!

  4. Becca says

    Sweet potato fries or doughnuts

  5. great diets says

    This is my first time go to see at here and i am genuinely pleassant to read
    everthing at alone place.

  6. 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. 🙂

  7. 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!

  8. Erica says

    sweet potato fries! oh my gosh! What a dangerous kitchen device to own 😉 The onion rings look amazing

  9. Michaela says

    I would love to try my hand at homemade mozerella sticks! Yummy!

  10. Michaela says

    I follow you on twitter as well.

  11. 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)

  12. Emily says

    I'd love to fry indian pakora or sweet potato fries.

  13. Carol says

    I'd try my hand at donuts!

  14. Maria says

    Carny food! Corn dogs, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos! The list goes on and on!

  15. mk says

    Have never used a deep fryer before - I think I'd try some jalepeno poppers.

  16. Kristi says

    I'd love to break in the ninja with a spicy blooming onion...

  17. Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says

    I'd make my SUPER EASY CRONUTS!--Pillsbury Grands biscuits + donut shape + fry oil + ganache = cronut. Bam.

  18. Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says

    And I'm following you on Twitter

  19. Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says

    And on Facebook 🙂

  20. 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!

  21. Danielle says

    I'd love to make fried calamari. So delicious but temperamental!

  22. Danielle says

    I follow on Facebook as well.

  23. Shannon says

    Doughnuts - made baked ones recently and they're just not the same.

  24. Gretchen Alice says

    Fried pickles, for sure, but those onion rings look amazing.

  25. Jessie says

    Those look so good!! I'd definitely do pickles first.

  26. 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!

  27. Abby says

    I'd make jalapeno poppers.

  28. Abby says

    I follow on Twitter.

  29. 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!

  30. lisa says

    buffalo wings!

  31. Emily says

    tweet ya later! @threebiterule

  32. Sherry Lykins says

    I would make homemade french fries!! [email protected]

  33. Chelsey says

    Onion Rings!! I made them in my culinary class and was obsessed!

  34. tripp says

    I'd do up some beer-battered shrimp!

  35. tripp says

    I followed you on twitter.

  36. tripp says

    I already follow you on facebook.

  37. KathrynK says

    I would fry onion rings!!!

  38. Katie says

    I'd have to go with sweet potato fries! But those onion rings look mighty tempting...=)

  39. Anne says

    I would fry italian stuffed olives!

  40. Katie says

    I also follow on Twitter...

  41. Katie says

    ...and Facebook!

  42. 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.

  43. Sue K. says

    Also following on Twitter! (@sweet26tweets)

  44. Nicole Secondi says

    I'd love to fry onion rings, of course!!

  45. Kelly D says

    I would fry up breaded mushrooms. Thanks!

  46. Jess @ Sweet Athena says

    Not to be boring in my answer, but I would have to try these onion rings!!!! YUM!

  47. 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!

  48. Katie says

    maybe some jalapeno poppers!

  49. Diane Vandermast says

    I'm drooling over those onion rings, so they'd have to be first (maybe with a side of fried chicken?) 😉

  50. Diane Vandermast says

    I already liked you on Facebook.

  51. Danyell says

    Pickles!!!! yum!

  52. Amy says

    I would absolutely love to fry up some Southern hush puppies and okra!
    Have been craving these two things!

  53. Diet That works says

    This site was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
    Kudos!

  54. Danielle says

    Following on Twitter as well.

  55. Lexi says

    I really want to try frying a cupcake...is that weird?!?

  56. Lexi says

    I already follow you on twitter, of course!

  57. Lexi says

    I'm also a facebook fan! Of course 😉

  58. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

    I would just have to try these onion rings! We love onion rings!!

  59. Meghan says

    Ohhh how I love fried food! I would love to fry up some scallops and shrimp.

  60. Joanna says

    I would try fried avocados!! 😀 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! 😀

  61. jan says

    YUP! I would fry pickles! Love your blog!

  62. Mark G says

    Tortilla chips.

  63. Shannon C says

    Fried avocado!

  64. Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says

    These onion rings look great! I'd fry anything I could think of using that Ninja fryer!

  65. kathy says

    I would fry Buffalo Chicken wings. Hands down, then I'd fry up some onion rings to go with them. Yummmmmers!!!

  66. Pam U says

    French fries would be my first frying attempt - a classic, but oh so good!

  67. Beth says

    Onion rings or fish

  68. Aimee @ ShugarySweets says

    Doughnuts. cause you're so right, fried doughnuts are way better than baked 🙂 These onion rings are gorgeous!!

  69. Aimee @ ShugarySweets says

    I like you on Facebook!!

  70. Aimee @ ShugarySweets says

    And twitter!!

  71. Steel Springs says

    I'd either make onion rings (one of my husband's favorites) or sweet potato fries.

  72. Steel Springs says

    I follow you on Twitter (@runsteelsprings).

  73. Scott says

    Definitely french fries

  74. catharine says

    gotta fry up some fries!!

  75. Tasha says

    Sweet potato fries first, those onion rings second!

  76. TomF says

    I would finaly make Coconut shrimp

  77. 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.

  78. Ashley says

    I already follow you on twitter!

  79. Ashley says

    And liked you on FB!

  80. 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!

  81. Blessie Nelson says

    I like you on FB - Blessie nelson

  82. Blessie Nelson says

    I follow you on twitter - @Bless_Eliz

  83. 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!

  84. Gia Grossman says

    I want to make those onion rings! But I'd also probably fry everything in my kitchen lol!

  85. Margot C says

    I follow you on Twitter as @AnnaZed

  86. Gia Grossman says

    I follow you on Twitter!

  87. Margot C says

    I like you on fb

  88. Gia Grossman says

    I liked you on Facebook!

  89. Judy Miller says

    ...........sphingi............using NaNa's recipe!

  90. Alison C. says

    I'd love to try fried pickles. I heard about them on a radio show the other day!

  91. Alison C. says

    I liked you on Facebook!

  92. 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.

  93. Tabathia B says

    boneless chicken breast

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  94. Tabathia B says

    like on facebook: michelle b

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  95. Carrie says

    I'd fry up some beer batter fried cheese curds. Yum!

  96. Carrie says

    I am like you on FB. 🙂

  97. Kitchen Belleicious says

    i need that ninja fryer like yesterday!

  98. Diane Smith says

    Fried chicken strips. I would LOVE this fryer!

  99. Diane Smith says

    Following you on facebook.

  100. Diane Smith says

    Following you on Twitter

  101. 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!

  102. Anne says

    I follow your blog and find it very entertaining and helpful

  103. Rae says

    There is only one answer to this question: FRIED PICKLES!

  104. Rae says

    following you on twitter

  105. Rae says

    and liked you on facebook!

  106. Jersey Girl Cooks says

    Mmmmnn. I would make fried asparagus and mushrooms. But having a fryer could be dangerous. Thanks for the giveaway chance.

  107. Jen says

    I would make corn dogs!!!

  108. Jen says

    I follow you on facebook!

  109. Lisa C. says

    Followed on twitter 🙂

  110. 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.

  111. Lisa C. says

    Liked on Facebook! 🙂

  112. Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says

    Definitely avocado, sweet potato or onions!

  113. Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says

    I follow on twitter!

  114. Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says

    I liked on facebook!

  115. Jenn says

    I would finally attempt to double fry french fries for the perfect french fry...maybe with some truffle oil drizzled on top!

  116. Ashley says

    The first thing I would fry up would be homemade eggrolls!

  117. Elis B. says

    First thing I'd fry would be french fries.

  118. Elis B. says

    Following WANM on Twitter as @bfooduf

  119. Elis B. says

    Liked WANM on Facebook

  120. lizzy says

    I would like to try french fries!

  121. lizzy says

    I follow you on twitter (lizzyallen123)

  122. lizzy says

    I like you on facebook.

  123. Andrea says

    Cauliflower tempura, amazing!!

  124. Karen T. says

    Fry up some fish.

  125. Brittany says

    Mozzarella sticks!!!!

    I follow on twitter and Facebook!

  126. Carolyn G says

    French fries

  127. 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...

  128. Ferdinand says

    Great article.

  129. 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?

  130. 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 🙂 Also, you can save your oil and reuse it... so long as you're frying something similar next time!

  131. Chefferre says

    I own the slow cooker as we well, love it! I am going to fry green beans andd zuchini tonight!

  132. Cheffette says

    I own the slow cooker as we well, love it! I am going to fry green beans and zuchini tonight!

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