How to Reheat Onion Rings while Preserving Taste and Texture

How often have you made a large batch of onion rings and regretted thinking, “What will I do with all the leftovers?” Well, we are all in the same boat. 

If you’re concerned that reheated onion rings won’t meet your expectations regarding texture, look, or flavor, then you’re in luck.

Can You Reheat Onion Rings?

Yes, you most certainly can. 

If you know how to reheat onion rings properly, they will taste as good as the first time you made them.

Onion rings are at their crispiest and most flavorful right after they come out of the fryer, but clever cooks have figured out how to reheat them without sacrificing quality. You may reheat them in the microwave, air fryer, oven, or traditional fryer, however, each method will yield different results. 

A Quick Note on Reheating Onion Rings

We spent last night preparing a large batch of onion rings and storing them in the fridge. We reheated them in 5 different ways the next day. 

We evaluated the onion rings made using each technique, noting their taste, texture, and overall impression. Taste, texture, and crispiness were the major points of emphasis.

If you want perfectly cooked onion rings instead of mushy ones, give the raw onions plenty of space in the frying pan so they may float about without touching. This applies to any method you use to reheat onion rings.

The ways are:

• Reheating onion rings in the air fryer (heated evenly, less time)
• Reheating onion rings in the oven (best results, more time)
• Reheating onion rings on skillet/pan (may absorb excess oil)
• Reheating onion rings in the broiler (healthier choice, requires less oil)
• Reheating onion rings in the microwave (soggy results, taste compromised)

Watch the video below to understand the process easily.

How to Reheat Onion Rings

You wouldn’t be the first to get over-excited and make a big batch of onion rings because, let’s face it, we all love their crispy surface and juicy interior. 

Onion rings are delicious no matter how you choose to reheat them. But to get the best results, you can follow these ways:

How to Reheat Onion Rings in the Air Fryer?

Onion rings may be reheated quickly and easily in an air fryer. The end product will be onion rings that are hot, crispy, and delicious.

1. Turn on the air fryer and set the temperature to 375 degrees F.
2. Spread a thin layer of vegetable oil over the onion rings.
3. Throw the rings of onion into the frying.
4. Heat in an air fryer for around 5 minutes.
5. Toss the rings around (once in between).
6. Take the onion rings out of the air fryer.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Pros

1. Can be done easily
2. The onion rings are heated uniformly
3. Reheated rings are crispy and delicious

Cons

1. Air fryer is must have
2. Cleaning the fryer can be messy 

How to Reheat Onion Rings in the Oven?

One of the best ways to reheat onion rings is in the oven. The oven prevents the onion rings from becoming mushy due to condensation by maintaining a dry environment. This is a detailed explanation.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place the rings in an oven-proof dish.
3. Wrap aluminum foil around the storage container.
4. Bake for ten and fifteen minutes. Keep an eye on the onion rings while they cook as they can quickly burn.
5. Take out of the oven, and serve immediately.

Pros

1. The best technique of reheating onion rings
2. Reheated onion rings come out to be as tasty as fresh
3. Juicy inside, crispy on the outside

Cons

1. Preparation takes a lot of time
2. Oven-proof dish, and aluminum foil are a must
3. The reheated rings can be mushy and dry if the procedure is not followed properly

How to Reheat Onion Rings on the Skillet or Pan?

Onion rings can also be reheated in a skillet or pan over stovetop heat. Again, it’s a quick and easy process. You’ll have something tasty, crisp, and hot by following the steps below.

1. Prepare a frying pan with oil. Because of its effectiveness at greater temperatures, vegetable oil is highly recommended.
2. Put the pot on the cooker and turn the heat to medium.
3. Heat the pan and add the onion rings for a couple of minutes.
4. To ensure that the rings are heated uniformly on both sides, flip them over. Avoid setting them on fire.
5. Take the rings out of the pan once the pan is hot.
6. To remove excess oil, place the onion rings on a towel.
7. Let the onion rings rest for a little while.
8. After they have cooled down sufficiently to be eaten, serve them right away.

Pros

1. The easiest way to reheat onion rings
2. It is quick, and does not take much time
3. Taste remains the same

Cons

1. Not healthy as the fries are fried twice
2. The onion rings can get burnt while frying

Pro Tip: Remember that after onion rings have been cooked, they do not require any extra browning. If cooked until browned, they risk being burned. The onion rings should be heated until they reach the desired temperature and removed from the pan. 

How to Reheat Onion Rings in the Broiler?

Onion rings can also be reheated in the broiler. To broil your onion rings, 

1. Spray the rings liberally with oil and arrange them in a thin layer on a baking sheet.
2. Lightly spray the onion rings with oil.
3. Pop the baking tray in the broiler 
4. The onion rings should be reheated for 2 minutes per side over medium heat.
5. Quickly dish it up.

Pros

1. Healthy as less oil is required
2. Quick process, can be done in under 5 minutes

Cons

1. The crispiness of the rings does not remain the same
2. The cleaning part can be messy

Pro tip: To prevent oil spillage, place a sheet of aluminum foil under the rack when cooking onion rings. This eliminates the regular hassle of cleaning the grill.

How to Reheat Onion Rings in the Microwave?

When fried food is reheated in the microwave, it tends to get dry and soggy. 

I do not recommend reheating onion rings in the microwave. But if this is your last resort, follow the steps:

1. Put the onion rings on a platter
2. Turn on full power and let the microwave run for 10 seconds
3. Boost the temperature by 20% for a minute
4. Make sure the temperature is not too hot

Pros

1. Easy to do
2. Gets ready in no time

Cons

1. The onion rings are soggy 
2. The texture becomes dry
3. Does not have the crunchiness

The Best Way to Reheat Onion Rings: Our Verdict

At this point, your best bet is to pop the onion rings in the oven. 

Get the crispiness of the fryer without as much worry about the rings drying out. If you can’t deep fry the rings, air frying is a close second. 

Keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to microwave onion rings.

How to Keep Onion Rings Warm?

Onion rings are delicious, but they typically go cold too soon. A heated oven is the most reliable method for keeping onion rings warm, while other options exist.

Because of the oven’s dry heat, the onion rings won’t go cold. Keep the oven door shut as much as possible to prevent outside moisture from entering the oven.

Reheating Frozen Onion Rings: What to Do?

To reheat frozen onion rings, just place them on a baking sheet and place them in a preheated oven.

To do this, set the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then oil the onion rings and spread them out on a baking sheet.

If you want even better results, try seasoning them again. Make sure there’s enough space between them so that they can all become warm. For even more efficient heat dispersion, you may also turn them over.

Put them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake them for 8-10 minutes.

How Can You Store Onion Rings?

Do you have a plan for the onion rings you cannot finish? Some ways to keep these crunchy treats fresh are detailed below.

• Refrigerate them until needed. Onion rings left over can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days when they will retain their crispiness.
• Cover with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Onion rings may be stored in a plastic bag for extra days if you cover them in parchment or foil.
• Keep frozen for later use. If any onion rings are left over, they may be frozen for at least one month. To prevent freezer burn, just wrap them securely in plastic.

It’s preferable to dispose of leftovers if you know you won’t be eating them soon enough. 

Keep leftovers in a sealed container or bag to prevent them from tainting other foods in your fridge or freezer.

How to Fix Soggy Onion Rings?

Let’s face it; no one likes soggy onion fries. 

Don’t crowd the onions in the oil, and use only a tiny amount of batter. To guarantee that the onion rings cook fast and uniformly in a huge quantity of oil, the fat should be at least 3 inches deep. 

If your onion rings have become soggy, simply bake them in the oven in a frying pan for a few minutes. 

As a result of the heat, the exterior will become crisp while the interior will remain soft.

You may also like: How to Reheat Beef Wellington

Conclusion

A confession before you go, I wish I had this guide to reheat onion rings before going through endless trials and errors. I am happy to share my tips on reheating onion rings perfectly. 

So, make big batches of onion rings without worries and enjoy the delicious snack any time.