Cheesy Onion Rings place mozzarella in the gap between two nested onion rings, then seal that structure beneath a flour-based batter and coarse Panko coating. Deep frying makes the exterior golden while the onion softens and the cheese warms inside.
The recipe makes exactly 8 stuffed onion rings, or 4 servings. It takes 15 minutes to prepare and 7 minutes to cook, for a stated total of 22 minutes.
Cheesy Onion Ring Ingredients
Gather 1 large onion sliced into thick rings, 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, 1 cup milk, 1 beaten egg, 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 2 cups cooking oil, toothpicks for securing, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon fine salt.
The onion must provide pairs in which one ring fits inside another with a clear gap for cheese. Keep the Panko separate from the flour mixture because it is the final coating, not part of the initial dry dredge.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Cheeseburger Egg Roll.
How to Make Cheesy Onion Rings
- Pair a larger thick onion ring with a smaller ring that leaves a space between them.
- Cut mozzarella sticks to fit the gaps, place the cheese between each pair, and secure with toothpicks to form 8 rings.
- Heat 2 cups cooking oil in a deep pot.
- Mix 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon fine salt.
- Dredge all 8 assembled rings in the dry mixture and rest them on a wire rack.
- Combine 1 cup milk with 1 beaten egg, then mix this liquid into the remaining dry mixture to form a batter.
- Dip each ring in batter, let excess drip, and coat with 1 cup Panko.
- Fry one side until golden, turn, and fry the other side. Remove every toothpick and serve warm with marinara sauce.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Cut and Match Thick Onion Rings
Fit Mozzarella into Every Gap
Prepare the Dry Mixture and Oil
Turn the Remaining Dry Mix into Batter
Finish with Coarse Panko
Fry Both Sides Until Golden
Remove Toothpicks Before Serving
Keep the Cheese Enclosed
Conclusion
Pair thick slices from 1 large onion so a smaller ring sits inside a larger ring. Fit pieces from 8 mozzarella sticks into the gaps, secure to make exactly 8 rings, and dredge them in a mixture of 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix 1 cup milk and 1 beaten egg into the remaining dry mixture. Dip the rings in batter, coat with 1 cup Panko, and fry in 2 cups oil until both sides are golden. Remove all toothpicks and serve warm with marinara.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I put cheese inside an onion ring?
Nest a smaller thick onion ring inside a larger one, fill the gap with pieces of mozzarella stick, and secure the structure with toothpicks.
- → What is the correct coating order?
Use the dry flour mixture first, then the milk-and-egg batter, and finish with Panko breadcrumbs.
- → How many cheesy onion rings does the recipe make?
It makes exactly 8 stuffed onion rings, listed as 4 servings.
- → When should the toothpicks be removed?
Remove every toothpick after frying and draining, before the warm onion rings are served.