Crispy onion chips. You’re craving something wildly crunchy, salty, kind of impressive, but your pantry is empty and you do NOT want to spend an hour in the kitchen—sound familiar? Kids gotta snack. The game’s coming on. You want something addictive but not a whole deep-fried drama. So let me confess, when the onion-dusting urge hits, this easy two-ingredient recipe has saved my tail more times than I can count. So, here’s how to make the easiest, best crispy onion chips you’ve ever nibbled, with some fun tips (plus a few ways to shake things up, just because I can’t leave well enough alone). 
How to make Onion Ring Chips
Simple does not even begin to cover it. Grab a couple onions (yellow or sweet are my jam for this), peel ’em, slice into super-thin rings. Seriously, the thinner, the crispier. Now, toss them in a big bowl with a generous splash—okay, a tablespoon or two—of good olive oil. Make sure every piece shines, but don’t flood the party. Lay the onion rings flat on a big baking tray (lined, if you like no scrubbing).
Now, here’s the part people miss: space ‘em out. Overlapping means sadness. Bake at 375 F until golden and crisp. Usually 20-25 minutes, but keep an eagle eye after 15 (ovens have personalities). If you love your gadgets, the air fryer works even better. Curious about other ways to get things crisp in that thing? Check out these tips on air fryer crispy fried onions in 5 easy steps.
Don’t forget salt! Season while still hot for extra stick. That’s it. Your crispy onion chips dreams, ready in about half an hour.
Tips from my kitchen
Look, I’m not what you’d call a “precise” cook, but I’ve made plenty of mistakes with these. You know those times you pull something out and it’s perfect on the edge, but floppy in the middle? That’s air and spacing, my friend.
When cutting your onions, try a mandoline slicer (careful with your knuckles, learned this one the hard way). Even slices = even crunch, mostly. Too thick? Takes forever, gets soggy. Too thin? Turns to powder. Find your sweet spot, but just a little thicker than paper always works for me.
Have a batch go soft? It happens. Toss ‘em back in for five more minutes, or crank up the temp right at the end for a last blast. Total rescue move. Want even more “classic onion” flavor? Try adding the tiniest pinch of smoked paprika or black pepper before baking—but don’t tell my mom, traditionalists panic at that. By the way, if you’re still having issues with the chips not coming out crispy, you might wanna read why at why are my air fryer chips not crispy for some surprising troubleshooting.
I never thought something *so* simple could be tastier than those bagged snacks. I keep burning my fingers ’cause they vanish off the tray! — Jen, my neighbor and official snack thief
Why You’ll Love Onion Ring Chips
Honestly? Picture this—you want a snack, but you don’t want all the work or the guilt. Crispy onion chips feel decadent, like five-star restaurant appetizers, but you made ‘em at home with two things: onions and oil. That’s almost suspiciously easy.
You don’t need fancy gear. Don’t need a deep fryer. Heck, you don’t even have to do dishes really if you line your tray (thank the kitchen gods for parchment). Also, these taste intensely oniony—like onion rings, but lighter. Even better? They’re naturally low-carb, so if you’re dodging breading, welcome to the club. I prepped these for a movie night and—no exaggeration—we demolished the whole tray before the previews were over.
They’re also super customizable. Want to see how to get that next-level party vibe? Peek at irresistibly crispy mini blooming onions for a more over-the-top cousin.
Variations and Substitutions for Onion Ring Chips
Let’s be honest, sometimes recipes are more like suggestions. I love playing around with what I’ve got. Sweet onions? Red onions? Use ‘em both—each brings its own bite and color. Don’t have olive oil? Use coconut or avocado oil for a crazy aroma twist. Pat them dry for extra crunch.
A lot of folks throw on a dusting of parmesan, or toss with everything bagel seasoning after baking. That turns snack time into party food. Feeling wild? Add a couple panko crumbs before cooking for a quick "faux ring" crust (but don’t tell the two-ingredient purists). For more chip ideas with a twist, try these crispy air fryer apple fries—it’s a real left turn in the best way.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free? This recipe is all of those things unless you decide to dress up your chips in cheese.
Best Served With
- A cold drink. Beer, soda, lemonade—all work, trust me.
- So good with creamy dips. Ranch, sour cream, or this simple yogurt and herbs thing I whip up (which never tastes the same twice).
- Next to burgers, chicken sliders, or even scattered over a salad for a serious crunchy upgrade.
- Try crumbling on top of a bacon onion tomato pie (honestly, check this bacon onion tomato pie recipe – wild pairing).
Common Questions
Q: Can I use the air fryer for crispy onion chips?
A: Totally! It works fast and gets things extra crunch-a-licious. For a quick guide, peep air fryer crispy fried onions.
Q: Will other types of onions work?
A: Yep, but sweet or yellow onions are best for flavor and crunch. Red onions get a little sharper.
Q: How long do crispy onion chips stay crunchy?
A: If you hide them (seriously), store in an airtight container up to 2 days. They’re best on Day 1.
Q: Can I freeze them?
A: Wouldn’t really recommend—texture gets weird. They’ll just vanish anyway.
Q: How do I stop them from burning?
A: Watch them close! Oven temps can be sneaky. Always check the edges before the timer goes off.
Try It and Crunch On!
There you go. Two things. Slices, toss, bake. You’ll have crispy onion chips before you know it, and I swear, everyone will think you’ve got some secret culinary training. Seriously, these onion ring chips make you look fancy but feel easy. Test out your air fryer techniques from best crunchy zucchini chips recipe or scope some other potato chip swaps for more snack inspiration.
Still hungry for more quick hacks? Here’s an awesome 2 Ingredient Onion Ring Chips (Low Carb) – Hungry Happens guide that takes low effort to the max (plus some drool-worthy pics). Don’t forget, any time you need a last-minute party snack, or just want an excuse to open up a cold one, these are your new go-to.
Crispy Onion Chips
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and easy crispy onion chips perfect for snacking; made with just two ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel and slice the onions into super-thin rings.
- Toss the onion rings in a bowl with olive oil until well-coated.
- Spread the onion rings in a single layer on a baking tray.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking after 15 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Season with salt while still hot and enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding smoked paprika or black pepper before baking. Use a mandoline for even slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg