Crispy onion rings are a real treat, but what if you have leftovers that you’d like to reheat? How can you retain most of the original flavor?
4 Ways to Reheat Onion Rings
The best ways to reheat onion rings are with an air fryer, the oven, the stove, or a toaster oven. The microwave should be your last resort, since your onion rings will likely come out soggy if you nuke them.
1. Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is one of the fastest ways to reheat your onion rings. It’s also one of the healthiest ways because air fryers use little to no oils or fats to cook your foods.
Pace your leftover onion rings in the tray of the fryer, then spray them with a thin, even layer of cooking or baking spray. Set the fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the onion rings for 10 minutes. After five minutes, flip the onion rings over so that both sides get the same amount of cooking time. The onion rings should turn a nice brown color, and they’ll taste delicious once you remove them from the fryer.
2. Use the Oven
Yes, you can use the oven to reheat your onion rings. All you need is a baking sheet or an oven-safe dish. Start by placing the onion rings on the dish in a single layer, then cover the dish with aluminum foil. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the onion rings for 10–15 minutes.
This method is simple because it doesn’t even matter which rack you put your dish on, but you do have to check them occasionally to make sure they’re not getting too brown or burnt.
3. Use the Stove
This is a super-simple way to reheat your onion rings. Start with a non-stick pan but coat it with a small amount of cooking oil. Vegetable oil works best because it can accommodate very high temperatures. Once the oil is hot, drop your onion rings in the pan and cook on medium-high heat, stirring frequently so the onion rings don’t burn. It will only take a few minutes for the onion rings to warm up. Once they’re done, remove them and place them on a paper towel to soak up the excess oil.
Don’t wait for the onion rings to brown more before removing them. Only keep them cooking for a few minutes. If they get any browner, they will likely burn. Also, don’t leave the onion rings in the pan once they reach the right temperature. Even if you remove the pan from the stovetop, the rings will continue to cook in the hot oil.
4. Use a Toaster Oven
To reheat onion rings in a toaster oven, set the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, then line the tray with foil or parchment paper. Place your onion rings on the tray in a single layer and cook them for 10–15 minutes.
If you like your cooked onion rings crispy and a little browner, you can keep them in the toaster oven for an additional five minutes. Once they’re ready, remove them from the oven and let them sit for two minutes before you eat them.
What About the Microwave Oven?
Most people are tempted to microwave their leftover onion rings. While you can certainly do this, it’s not recommended. When you microwave anything that is fried, the moisture in the food causes the food to become soggy and lose most of its crispy texture.
If you wrap the onion rings in a paper towel before you put them in the microwave, they’ll turn out a little better, but they’ll still be far from ideal. So consider the microwave as a last resort.
If You Have Frozen Onion Rings
The best way to reheat frozen onion rings is to place them on a lined baking tray and spray them with a little bit of cooking oil. Spread the rings out on the tray and bake them in an oven set at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8–10 minutes. Make sure you turn them over halfway through so they cook evenly. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. You can cook them just a few minutes longer if you prefer extra-crispy onion rings.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Onion Rings Is Easy
When storing leftover onion rings in the refrigerator, always keep them in an airtight container. When you reheat them, try to use other methods besides the microwave so that they come out nice and crispy.