Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Gluten-free french fried onions resting on a plate on top of some parchment paper.

Gluten-free French Fried Onions

Meeta Arora
These gluten-free french fried onions are crunchy, flavorful, and easy to make. Now you never have to miss out on green bean casserole again.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Baics
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Cups
Calories 164 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Medium White or Yellow Onions Sliced
  • 1 ½ Cups Buttermilk See notes for making a homemade or dairy-free buttermilk.
  • 1 ¼ Cups 1:1 Gluten-free Flour I use King Arthur brand 1:1 blend.
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
  • ¾ Teaspoon Pepper
  • Oil for frying

Instructions
 

Prep the onions.

  • Slice your onions. If you want your french fried onions more like shoe string onions, slice them thinner. If you want your onions chunkier, slice them thicker.
    2 Medium White or Yellow Onions

Soak the onions.

  • Pour the buttermilk, or homemade buttermilk, into a shallow dish.
    1 ½ Cups Buttermilk
  • Add the sliced onions to the buttermilk and let them soak for about 15-30 minutes.

Drain the onions.

  • Remove the onions from the buttermilk and let them rest on some paper towels to remove any excess moisture from the buttermilk.

Bread the onions.

  • Add the gluten-free flour and spices to a bowl or ziplock bag.
    1 ¼ Cups 1:1 Gluten-free Flour, 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt, ¾ Teaspoon Pepper
  • As the onions are drained, toss them into the gluten-free flour to coat.
  • Remove the coated onions and set them aside to cook.

Cook the gluten-free french fried onions.

  • Add enough light cooking oil to a skillet to make it about 1-2 inches deep over medium-high heat.
    Oil for frying
  • Once the oil is warm, place a few of the breaded onions into the oil. Make sure you are not overcrowding the onions.
  • Move the onions around a bit to make sure they are evenly cooked.
  • When the onions are golden, remove them from the hot oil with a spider strainer.
  • Let the hot onions rest on some paper towels to remove any excess oil while you cook the remaining ones.

See notes for how to cook these homemade french fried onions in the air fryer or conventional oven.

    Notes

     
    To cook gluten-free french fried onions in the air fryer.
    1. Lay some of the breaded onions in a single layer in your air fryer.
    2. Lightly spray the onions with a light cooking oil.
    3. Air fry the onions at 375 degrees for about 2-3 minutes.
    4. Shake the onions. If they are not completely done, cook them for another 2-3 minutes.
    To cook the french fried onions in the oven.
    1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
    2. Lay the breaded onions onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    3. Lightly spray the onions with a light cooking oil.
    4. Bake the onions for about 15 minutes.
    Note: cooking these gluten-free french fried onions in the oven will yield the least crispy results
    Tips and tricks for the best homemade french fried onions.
    • Use the right onions. While sweeter onions like Vidalia onions are delicious for making homemade onion rings, these homemade french fried onions work better with white or yellow onions.
    • Don't skip soaking your onions. The buttermilk helps tone down the sharp, raw onion flavor. The onions are not cooked long, and without soaking them, they can taste like you are eating raw onion. The buttermilk also gives some moisture which helps the gluten-free breading stick to the onions.
    • Remove excess moisture. Letting the soaked onions rest on some paper towels for just a minute helps to remove excess moisture. Excess moisture on the onions can make it harder for the gluten-free breading to get crisp when you cook the onions.
    • Use a spider strainer or slotted spoon to remove the onions and drain off any excess oil.
    • Season to liking. Some onions can be more mellow than others, and then your homemade french fried onions might need a little extra spice. It never fails someone in my house is eating these as soon as they are cooked. If we find they get a little less flavorful than we prefer, we will sprinkle the cooked onions with a little salt and onion powder. It doesn't take much, but it can add a lot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 164kcal
    Keyword gluten free french fried onions, homemade french fried onions
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!