Think you know onion rings? Get ready for a spicy twist with this crisp Tobacco Onions recipe.
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Aside from French fries, is there any deep-fried side as beloved as onion rings? I doubt it! While there are many debates over who made the first batch of golden onion rings, I don’t think it’s too controversial to say they’re a perfect snacking sidekick.
No doubt, classic onion rings are the bomb; but did you know there’s more than one way to deep fry onions? And, no, I’m not talking about making Baked Onion Rings or opting for a Gluten-Free Onion Ring Recipe (although those are both delicious ideas!). There are a few interesting variations on the ingredients in onion ring recipes that will make you and your foodie friends do a double-take.
Case in point: Have you ever heard of tobacco onions? I know, the name alone is enough to make people go, “SAY WHAT?” But don’t worry, this recipe doesn’t involve any tobacco leaves, and it’s a super popular way to add serious smoke and spice (and something extra nice!) to your fried onions.
If you’re looking to jazz up your onion ring routine, this tobacco onions recipe will do the trick. Once you start munching on these sizzling snacks, you won’t look back!
Are Tobacco Onions Healthy?
Alas, tobacco onions aren’t a healthy food, but you probably could’ve seen that coming, right? After all, fried foods have a bad rating from nutritionists, and all that extra fat and salt isn’t an excellent choice for overall health. Even though onions have a lot of nutrients on their own, deep frying vaporizes many of the potential benefits you could get from this veggie (but, oh boy, does it taste good!).
If you want to make this guilty pleasure a little less guilty, there are hacks you could use to increase tobacco onions’ health score. For instance, you could use an air fryer or bake your onions to avoid the effects of deep frying. Those who crave that deep-fried texture could use an oil with a higher health profile, like olive or avocado oil, rather than vegetable oil. You might also consider swapping all-purpose flour for an alternative like whole wheat or chickpea flour for extra nutrients and fiber.
My tobacco onions’ coating keeps falling off, what’s going wrong?
If you’re having issues with your tobacco onions holding on to their spices, there are a few potential issues. First, did you take the time to thoroughly pat those onions dry before coating them? If not, the extra wetness on your onions might have kept the dry ingredients from sticking as they should.
Next, remember to thoroughly incorporate all of those dry ingredients before coating onions. You want to be certain no dreaded clumps are cramping your tobacco onions’ style!
Even if you follow the above steps to a tee, you might still notice the coating slipping away once your onions hit the frying oil. If this is the case, you might be overcrowding your pan or handling your onions too roughly when adding them to the pot. The easiest way to avoid this scenario is to cook your tobacco onions in batches and always gently lower them (away from yourself!) into the oil.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Vegetable oil, for frying
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat
Prepare oil for frying.
Coat
Mix flour and spices; coat onions.
Fry
Fry onions until crispy; drain.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Sorry to all you busy at-home chefs out there, but you can’t recapture the crispiness of tobacco onions with leftovers. Even if you put these rings in an airtight container in the fridge, they’ll get soggy when you reheat them, so it’s best to cook the right portion size of tobacco onions when you plan to DEVOUR them.
However, you can prepare your ingredients a day ahead of time if you want to save time. After you slice your onion and pat it dry, store it in an airtight container with some paper towels in the fridge. You can also make your spice mix in a separate airtight container and keep it on the counter before making tasty tobacco onions.
You could use a few onion varieties to make terrific tobacco onions, but yellow and sweet onions (especially Vidalia) are some of the most popular choices. These onion types have what it takes to maintain their texture in the deep fryer’s extreme heat, plus they offer great savory, sweet, and sharp flavors.
It’s OK to save and reuse your cooking oil, but you’ll usually throw away reused oil after about 2 – 3 times. The high heat during frying will break down your oil, which means it reaches its smoke point at a lower temp with repeated use. Also, if there are any onion bits in the oil, it will give off an icky burnt flavor, and nobody has time for that!
Please watch out for stinky odors or off colors if you’re thinking about using oil you stored in your fridge. As long as your oil is light golden brown and clear, has a neutral odor, and hasn’t been used more than 2 – 3 times, it may be OK for another deep-frying session. However, if you have any doubts about the quality of your cooking oil, it’s best to throw it in the trash.
Serving Suggestions
Burgers and tobacco onions are BFFs. Whether you like Cajun Burgers With Sweet Potato Buns, Black Bean Burgers, or Hawaiian Pizza Burgers, sprinkling some tobacco onions on top is sure to add an extra pop of flavor. Tobacco onions are also an excellent topper for decadent steak recipes like Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin or Keto Steak With Garlic Butter Mushrooms.
For those interested in non-pub-grub options, you can also easily work tobacco onions as a topping on a wide range of salads, soups, and appetizers. For example, try sprinkling some of these fried onions on a fresh Corn Salad, savory Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese, or healthy Quinoa With Roasted Vegetables. Whatever you’re cooking up — as long as it’s not a dessert — there’s a good chance tobacco onions will complement your feast.
Tobacco Onions
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
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Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a large, heavy pot to 375 degrees F.
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
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Toss the onion slices in the flour mixture until they are well coated, shaking off any excess.
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Fry the coated onion slices in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
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Transfer the fried onions to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and crisp up further.
Nutrition
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