Crispy Cheese-Stuffed Onion Rings

Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes

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Ingredients

For the onion rings

• 2 large onions

• 8–10 mozzarella cheese sticks (or block mozzarella, cut into strips)

Breading station

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1½ cups breadcrumbs (panko recommended for extra crunch)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For frying

• Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)

Optional garnish

• Chopped parsley

• Grated Parmesan

Dipping sauce (optional)

• Marinara sauce or garlic mayo

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Instructions

1. Prepare the onions

• Peel the onions and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds.

• Separate the slices into rings.

• Pair a large ring with a smaller ring to create a gap between them.

2. Stuff with cheese

• Place a smaller onion ring inside a larger one.

• Fill the space between the rings with mozzarella strips, pressing gently so the cheese fits snugly all the way around.

• Repeat until all rings are stuffed.

3. Set up the breading station

• Bowl 1: Flour

• Bowl 2: Whisk eggs with milk

• Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder

4. Bread the rings (important step)

• Coat each stuffed ring in flour, shaking off excess.

• Dip into egg mixture, making sure all gaps are covered.

• Press firmly into breadcrumbs, sealing the cheese completely.

• For best results, repeat egg + breadcrumb once more (double coating).

5. Freeze (do not skip)

• Place breaded rings on a tray and freeze for 30–45 minutes.
  This prevents cheese from leaking during frying.

6. Fry

• Heat oil to 350°F / 175°C.

• Fry rings in small batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown.

• Remove and drain on paper towels.

7. Finish & serve

• Sprinkle with parsley or Parmesan if desired.

• Serve hot with marinara or garlic dipping sauce.

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Pro Tips

• Seal breadcrumbs tightly—any open gap = cheese escape.

• Keep oil temperature steady; too hot will burn before cheese melts.

• These can be air-fried at 380°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes after spraying with oil.

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Texture & Flavor

• Outside: ultra crispy, golden

• Inside: stretchy, gooey cheese pull

• Flavor: savory, rich, addictive