Shoestring Onion Rings with Blue Cheese Aioli
Shoestring Onion Rings with Blue Cheese Aioli
Ingredients
For the Blue Cheese Aioli
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
For the Shoestring Onion Rings
- 2 large white onions, peeled
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups frying oil, such as vegetable or canola
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup pickled green chilies, sliced, as needed
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, for topping
- 1 lemon, for zesting, optional
Instructions
- 1
To prepare the Blue Cheese Aioli: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and the zest of 1 lemon. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Add 1/2 cup of blue cheese crumbles and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to the mayonnaise mixture. Mix again until the blue cheese is well incorporated. Set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
To prepare the Shoestring Onion Rings: Using a mandoline slicer, thinly slice the peeled white onions into very fine rings, creating a 'shoestring' effect. Separate the rings as much as possible.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In a medium bowl, pour in the buttermilk. Add the thinly sliced onion rings and toss thoroughly to ensure they are fully coated in the wet batter.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
In a separate shallow dish or tray, combine the all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Working in batches, transfer the wet-coated onions from the buttermilk to the dry flour mixture. Toss the onions to ensure they are completely coated in the flour, separating any rings that may be sticking together. Lay the double-coated onion rings out on parchment paper or a baking sheet, spreading them out to prevent clumping.
⏱️ 7 min
- 7
Heat the frying oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 360
- 8
Carefully place small batches of the coated onion rings into the hot oil using tongs or a spider. Do not overcrowd the pot. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 360
- 9
Remove the fried onion rings from the oil using a spider or slotted spoon and transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Immediately season the hot fried onion rings with salt.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
To assemble and serve: Arrange the fried shoestring onion rings in a large serving bowl. Place a small bowl of the prepared blue cheese aioli in the center of the onion rings.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Sprinkle the additional 1/4 cup of blue cheese crumbles over the onion rings. Garnish the dish with sliced pickled green chilies. Optionally, zest more fresh lemon over the entire dish before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Shoestring Onion Rings with Blue Cheese Aioli
For the Blue Cheese Aioli
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
For the Shoestring Onion Rings
- 2 large white onions, peeled
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups frying oil, such as vegetable or canola
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup pickled green chilies, sliced, as needed
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, for topping
- 1 lemon, for zesting, optional
Instructions
- 1
To prepare the Blue Cheese Aioli: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and the zest of 1 lemon. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Add 1/2 cup of blue cheese crumbles and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to the mayonnaise mixture. Mix again until the blue cheese is well incorporated. Set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
To prepare the Shoestring Onion Rings: Using a mandoline slicer, thinly slice the peeled white onions into very fine rings, creating a 'shoestring' effect. Separate the rings as much as possible.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In a medium bowl, pour in the buttermilk. Add the thinly sliced onion rings and toss thoroughly to ensure they are fully coated in the wet batter.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
In a separate shallow dish or tray, combine the all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Working in batches, transfer the wet-coated onions from the buttermilk to the dry flour mixture. Toss the onions to ensure they are completely coated in the flour, separating any rings that may be sticking together. Lay the double-coated onion rings out on parchment paper or a baking sheet, spreading them out to prevent clumping.
⏱️ 7 min - 7
Heat the frying oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 360 - 8
Carefully place small batches of the coated onion rings into the hot oil using tongs or a spider. Do not overcrowd the pot. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 360 - 9
Remove the fried onion rings from the oil using a spider or slotted spoon and transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Immediately season the hot fried onion rings with salt.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
To assemble and serve: Arrange the fried shoestring onion rings in a large serving bowl. Place a small bowl of the prepared blue cheese aioli in the center of the onion rings.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Sprinkle the additional 1/4 cup of blue cheese crumbles over the onion rings. Garnish the dish with sliced pickled green chilies. Optionally, zest more fresh lemon over the entire dish before serving.
⏱️ 1 min