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Air Fryer Crispy Onion Strings with Ranch Dip

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These air fryer crispy onion strings are a lighter, mess-free take on diner-style onion strings, delivering shatteringly crisp texture and sweet-savory flavor. Paired with a homemade creamy ranch dip, they make the perfect snack, appetizer, or burger topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick; sweet onions work too)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more for sprinkling)
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt)
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried chives)
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or dried dill)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder (for dip)
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder (for dip)
  • 1/4 tsp salt (for dip)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (for dip)
  • 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed, to thin dip)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice (for dip)

Instructions

  1. Peel and slice the onions ultra-thin (about 1/8-inch thick) using a mandoline or sharp knife.
  2. Transfer sliced onions to a large bowl and pour in buttermilk. Toss to coat and soak for at least 15 minutes (up to 1 hour).
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  4. Lift onions from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge a handful at a time in the flour mixture, tossing to coat. Shake off excess flour.
  5. Spray air fryer basket lightly with oil. Arrange coated onions in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Spray tops with more oil.
  6. Air fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Onions should be golden brown and crispy. Add 2 more minutes if needed.
  7. Transfer cooked onion strings to a paper towel–lined plate and sprinkle with extra salt. Repeat with remaining onions.
  8. While the last batch cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and 1–2 tbsp milk in a small bowl to make the ranch dip. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. Serve hot, crispy onion strings with ranch dip.

Notes

Slice onions as thinly and evenly as possible for maximum crispiness. Don’t skip soaking in buttermilk—it helps the coating stick and softens the onion bite. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, use appropriate flour and dairy substitutes. Keep earlier batches warm in a low oven if serving all at once. Ranch dip can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer onion strings, crispy onion strings, ranch dip, snack, appetizer, gluten-free option, dairy-free option, vegan option, easy air fryer recipe, party food, burger topping

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