Crispy Baked Onion Rings

These quick baked cheese-wrapped onion rings turn basic pantry items into a mouthwatering treat in minutes. The cheese melts into a crispy golden coating around soft onion rings, giving you all the joy of classic onion rings without dealing with any deep frying mess.

I first whipped these up during a football watch party when I needed something fast to put out. My hubby couldn't tell they weren't fried, and now we make them whenever we want something tasty without feeling guilty afterward.

Ingredients

• White onion: Go for a small or medium one with tight layers that won't fall apart when cut. They get amazingly sweet when baked.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: This melts perfectly and gets those crunchy golden edges while staying stretchy inside. Don't use fresh mozzarella - it's too wet for this.
• Daks steakhouse seasoning: Adds just the right flavor kick, but any seasoning mix works great. Try to find one with a good mix of salt, pepper and herbs.

How To Make Them

Warm up your oven:

Set it to 400°F. Getting this temperature right helps balance melted cheese with sweet onions. Give it about 5 minutes to get hot enough.

Get your tray ready:

Put parchment paper on a baking sheet. This stops sticking and makes cleanup super easy. The paper also helps the cheese get crispy all over.

Layer your cheese and onions:

Drop a big spoonful of mozzarella on the paper in a circle shape. Put a thin onion slice in the middle, then cover with another spoonful of cheese, making sure the cheese goes a bit past the onion to seal it in.

Add flavor and bake:

Shake some Daks seasoning or whatever mix you like on top. Bake for 10-12 minutes, keeping an eye on them near the end. You want them golden brown with crunchy edges, not burnt.

Eat them hot:

Move them to a plate while they're still warm and serve with BBQ sauce or any dip you like. They taste best right from the oven when the outside is crunchy but the inside is still a bit stretchy.

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The mozzarella really makes this snack special. I found out that bagged pre-shredded works better than freshly grated because it's not as moist. We joke in our house about how these disappear faster than it takes to make them, which is saying something since they only take minutes to throw together.

How To Cut Them Right

How thick you slice your onions really changes how these rings turn out. For super crispy rings, try to cut them about 1/8 inch thick. A mandoline slicer works great if you have one. Thin slices let the onion cook all the way through while the cheese gets crispy. If they're too thick, you'll end up with raw-tasting onion that's too strong.

Mix Up Your Flavors

The recipe calls for Daks steakhouse seasoning, but you can really switch things up based on what you like. Italian seasoning with a bit of garlic powder makes them taste like pizza. If you like heat, try some cajun mix or chili powder. My favorite twist is everything bagel seasoning, which adds amazing crunch and flavor. Just remember cheese already has salt in it, so go easy on extra salty seasonings.

Try Them In Your Air Fryer

These rings work great in an air fryer too. Make your cheese and onion stacks just like you would for the oven, then put them in your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Cook at 375°F for 6-8 minutes until they look golden and crispy. The air fryer makes them even crunchier outside while keeping that awesome cheese stretch inside. Just watch them closely since air fryers can cook at different speeds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I make them extra crunchy?

Slice your onions nice and thin. Thinner slices crisp up better, while thicker ones might stay softer but still taste fantastic.

→ Can I choose another cheese?

Sure! Try cheddar, parmesan, or a mix of your favorites to find the flavor that suits you best.

→ Can I cook these in the air fryer?

Definitely! Use a similar temperature but shorten the cook time by 3–4 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent the cheese from burning.

→ Which spices taste best with these rings?

You can’t go wrong with garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning. Experiment with your favorites to make it your own!

→ What should I serve with these onion rings?

They’re awesome with BBQ sauce, ranch, or even a spicy mayo for dipping.