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Crispy Oven Baked Beer Battered Onion Rings

Crispy Oven Baked Beer Battered Onion Rings

Crispy Oven Beer Battered Onion Rings1

Last year, on the east side of Portland, I came across a line of people wrapped around a small bar waiting to get inside. Of course, I went to investigate. I asked one of the guys in line what was going on, "Bell’s is here." That’s all he had to say, I got it.

They weren’t giving away beer. They weren’t launching a new beer. They were just allowing the great people of the Pacific Northwest the ability to BUY their beer. Two sixers a person.

When beer distribution is often limited to a small section of the country, beer people are thrilled to the point of waiting in a 45-minute line for the opportunity to buy a beer they can’t normally get.

Crispy Oven Beer Battered Onion Rings3

No matter where you live you have access to a beer that people in other parts of the country are beer-lusting after. Maybe it’s Bell’s, or Surly, or Alchemist, or Russian River, but it’s something.

You have the ability to buy, or drink on tap, a beer that other people can’t. Two bottles of Bell’s new beer, Oatsmobile, showing up at my out-of-the-distribution-zone door in gorgeous packaging made my day for more than just the above reasons.

The bar was high when I finally let myself open this beer, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a damn good beer. One of the best sessions beers I’ve had this year (a session beer is a beer that has a lower alcohol content, generally below 5%).

The oats give it a round, almost creamy flavor that balances the beautiful dry hopped finish. It kicks you a bit of a fruity, but not overly citrusy, flavor with just the right malt backbone and the perfect level of carbonation for a beer that I want to drink all summer. But I can’t. Because I live in Seattle. If you live in a Bell’s state, stock up. And then taunt me over social media.

Crispy Oven Beer Battered Onion Rings4

Crispy Oven Baked Beer Battered Onion Rings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large yellow sweet onions Maui, Walla Walla, Vidalia sliced ½ inch thick
  • canola oil for baking
  • 2 cups flour divided in half
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp salt divided
  • 1 cup IPA or pale ale beer
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 3 tbs melted butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450.
  • Slice the onion into ½ inch slices, separate the rings. Place in a large bowl of ice water. Allow to sit for at least 20 minutes (this will take the harsh “bite” out of the raw onion and help them cook better).
  • On two large baking sheets drizzle with about 1 tablespoon canola oil, set aside.
  • In a large bowl add 1 cup flour (reserve the other cup), chili powder, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt, stir to combine. Stir in the beer to make a smooth batter.
  • Add the remaining flour to a small bowl. Stir together the panko, remaining 1 teaspoon salt and melted butter in a separate bowl.
  • One at a time remove the onion slices from the water, dredge in flour until well coated, dip in the batter allowing excess batter to drip back into the bowl, then add to the panko to gently coat (if panko bowl becomes too saturated with the dip, toss it and fill the bowl with fresh panko).
  • Add to prepared sheets in an even layer, making sure the onion rings aren’t touching (smaller rings can be place inside large ones as long as they don’t touch).
  • Bake at 450 for 8 minutes flip, bake until golden brown on all sides, about 10 additional minutes.
  • Serve warm.

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Comments


Michelle April 20, 2016 um 12:17 pm

I was definitely that person in line for Bell’s in Portland this year. Always a treat to have Two Hearted!!

Reply

Elizabeth April 20, 2016 um 2:00 pm

When do you place the onion slices in the buttermilk? I re-read the recipe a few times and didn’t see any steps involving the buttermilk until step 6.

I can’t wait to try these. I’m a big fan of onion rings but my stomach doesn’t agree with fried food so much.

Reply

Jackie April 20, 2016 um 5:36 pm

Sorry! I was recipe testing with buttermilk vs ice water and ice water won. I updated the recipe. Thanks!

Reply

Mary // chattavore April 20, 2016 um 4:45 pm

We just got Bell’s in Tennessee a few months ago and my husband was over the moon! Before that is was Dogfish Head. Always something new to look forward to. Anyway, these onion rings look absolutely amazing…I’m sharing!

Reply

Sarah April 21, 2016 um 4:59 am

Being from Michigan, we are totally spoiled with good beer! But you are welcome to make the trek and visit us! 😀

Reply

Megan April 21, 2016 um 5:45 am

These look great! I’m from Michigan, and I can definitely say we have some great beer here. Two Hearted is always a go to beer. My other favorite brewery here is Short’s. They just started distributing out of state so make sure you watch for it! They always have inventive and awesome beers!

Reply

Jackie April 22, 2016 um 10:23 am

I was in San Diego right after they started distributing there. I was in a beer bar and saw Bell’s on tap and literally yelled, "OH MY GOD!TWO HEARTED ON TAP?!" Luckily the bartended got it and said, "I know, right?!"

Reply

Kathryn April 21, 2016 um 6:54 am

These look delicious! I’ll have to try them this weekend. Deep frying gives me the heebee jeebies, so baking them is right up my alley.

Reply

Ron Unz April 21, 2016 um 9:38 am

These look killer! I bet this recipe would go well with a large variety of beer styles, but I’m sure the hops play an awesome roll. A local Mississippi brewery (Lazy Magnolia) makes a sweet stout called Jefferson Stout that I think would go pretty well in the recipe too.

Reply

Jackie April 21, 2016 um 10:21 am

Sounds like a great pairing, too! I generally like higher carbonated, hoppy beers with fried food but every once in a while a stout goes really well with onion rings.

Reply

Keith @ How’s it Lookin? April 21, 2016 um 11:39 am

They look delicious. Nice and crunchy, thanks for the idea

Reply

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