I fell in love with TikTok Onion Ring Chips the first time I air-fried thin onion slices into a super-crisp snack that tastes like a salty, savory chip. This recipe turns simple onions into addictive crunch in under 20 minutes — I’ve tested it in two different air fryers and tweaked the coating for the best texture. For a quick comparison to another easy snack, I also like the method in this simple 2-ingredient crispy onion chips.
Why Make This Recipe
- Incredible crunch and deep onion flavor without deep-frying, perfect for snacking or party platters.
- Fast and convenient — most of the work is slicing and a brief air-fry at 375°F (190°C).
- Lightweight on oil compared with traditional frying, so it feels less greasy while still tasting indulgent.
- Great for sharing at game nights, potlucks, or as a crunchy topping for salads and bowls.
- Personal insight: I love this recipe because it turns a humble onion into a crowd-pleaser with minimal hands-on time and reliable results.
For a different crunchy snack to serve alongside, try my favorite air-fryer banana chips.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 10 minutes (plus 10 minutes to dry slices)
- Cook time: 8–12 minutes per batch
- Total time: 20–25 minutes
- Servings: 4 as a snack (makes about 4 cups)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Method: Thinly slice onions, separate into rings or layers, lightly coat (panko or seasoned flour), and air-fry in a single layer at 375°F (190°C) until crisp. This recipe uses an air fryer for speed and consistent browning.
My Experience Making This Recipe
I tested slices 1/16"–1/8" thick to find the sweet spot: thin enough to crisp, thick enough to hold seasoning. The main discovery was to dry the slices thoroughly and avoid overcrowding the basket — that alone tripled the crispness on the second run.
How to Make TikTok Onion Ring Chips
Start by peeling 2 large yellow onions and slicing them on a mandoline to about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thickness. Separate the slices into individual rings or layers, then pat them dry with paper towels until surface moisture is gone. Toss rings with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Dredge quickly in 3/4 cup panko or 1/2 cup all-purpose flour mixed with seasoning, shaking off excess. Arrange in a single layer in a preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C) and cook 8–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden and crisp. Cool on a wire rack to maintain crunch.
Equipment notes: mandoline for uniform slices, an air fryer (or a convection oven at 400°F/200°C), and a wire rack to cool.
Expert Tips for Success
- Dry the onions thoroughly: excess water steams them and prevents crisping, so let slices rest on paper towels for 10 minutes.
- Keep slices uniform: use a mandoline set to 1/8" for even cooking and consistent crispness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: cook in batches so hot air circulates; crowding causes soggy chips.
- Use panko for extra crunch: panko yields light, crunchy results; for a finer crust use seasoned flour.
- If you want ultra-golden chips, lightly spray oil on the coated rings before air-frying and check at 8 minutes to avoid burning; this trick also works when making air-fryer crispy fried onions.
How to Serve TikTok Onion Ring Chips
- Serve warm with dips like ranch, blue cheese, or a spicy aioli for parties.
- Scatter over burgers, hot dogs, or salads for texture and savory punch.
- Make a snack board with nuts, cheeses, and dried fruit, using the chips as the salty crunch element.
- For presentation, pile chips in a shallow bowl lined with parchment and garnish with chopped chives or flaky sea salt.
Storage and Reheating Guide
Store cooled chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; beyond that they lose crispness. To keep longer, flash-freeze in a single layer on a tray for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes or in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp. For other crispy snack storage ideas, consider how air-fryer pasta chips are frozen and reheated.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: swap panko/all-purpose flour for 1:1 gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal.
- Dairy-free: this recipe is naturally dairy-free; use olive oil or avocado oil for coating.
- Spicy: add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne or chili powder to the dry mix for heat.
- Herby Parmesan: after air-frying, toss with 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan and 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (skip Parmesan for dairy-free). For a different crunchy onion approach, you can also try the method in air-fryer crispy fried onions in 5 easy steps.
Nutritional Highlights
- Onions provide vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants like quercetin.
- This air-fryer method uses less oil than deep-frying, reducing total fat and calories per serving.
- Allergen info: contains gluten if using wheat-based panko/flour; choose substitutes for gluten-free diets. Aim for 1/2–3/4 cup per person as a snack portion to manage calories.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Soggy chips: Cause — too-thick slices or excess moisture. Solution — slice thinner (1/8") and pat completely dry.
- Uneven browning: Cause — overloaded basket or uneven slice thickness. Solution — cook in single layers, flip or shake halfway, and sort slices by size.
- Burnt edges: Cause — too high heat or panko too close to element. Solution — lower temp to 350°F (175°C) and check at 6–8 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these in a regular oven?
A: Yes — preheat to 400°F (200°C), arrange chips on a parchment-lined sheet pan in a single layer, and bake 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway. Watch closely after 8 minutes because ovens vary.
Q: Do I need to use panko or can I skip coating?
A: You can skip coating for lighter “baked” onion slices, but they’ll be less crunchy. Panko or a seasoned flour creates a crisp, golden exterior that holds up longer.
Q: Can I prepare these ahead of time?
A: You can slice and season onions a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated on paper towels. Don’t coat until just before air-frying to prevent sogginess.
Q: How do I know when they’re done?
A: They should be deep golden and crisp to the bite. Remove a piece and let it cool for 30–60 seconds — it will firm up as it cools. If still pliable, return to the air fryer for 1–2 more minutes.
Enjoy making TikTok Onion Ring Chips — crisp, simple, and endlessly tweakable to match your flavor preferences.
Print
TikTok Onion Ring Chips
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and addictive air-fried onion ring chips that deliver incredible crunch and flavor without the grease.
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of smoked paprika
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs or 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Peel the onions and slice them on a mandoline to about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thickness.
- Separate the slices into individual rings or layers and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Toss the onion rings with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Dredge quickly in panko or seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
- Arrange in a single layer in a preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C).
- Cook for 8–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Cool on a wire rack to maintain crunch.
Notes
Keep slices uniform for even cooking and don’t overcrowd the basket for the best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg