Crispy cheesy onion rings: stuff cheddar between paired onion rings, dip in a light tonic-water batter, coat in panko and air-fry at 200°C until golden. Crisp shell, gooey cheese and tender onion in every bite.
Instructions
- 1
Slice the onions into ~0.5 cm rounds and separate the rings. Pick pairs of similar-sized rings with a small gap between them.
- 2
Stuff the gap between each paired ring with cheddar cheese.
- 3
Batter: combine 1 cup flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp salt. Add a splash of tonic water and mix to a smooth, pourable batter.
- 4
Dip each stuffed ring in the batter to coat fully, then roll in panko breadcrumbs.
- 5
Air fry at 200 °C (400°F) for 15 minutes until golden and crunchy.
15:00 - 6
Serve hot — crisp shell, gooey cheese, tender onion in every bite.
Watch the video
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use tonic water in the batter?
The carbonation makes the batter light and crisp — the bubbles aerate it so the coating fries up airy rather than dense. Cold sparkling water works too.
How do I stop the cheese leaking out?
Pick matching ring pairs with a small gap, pack the cheese in snugly, and coat fully in batter and panko so there are no bare spots for it to escape.
Can I bake these instead?
Yes — bake at 220°C on a rack until golden, about 18–20 minutes. The air fryer is faster and gives the crispest shell.