Spicy Baked Onion Rings with Creamy Dipping Sauce

PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 25 minutes

Ingredients
For the onion rings:
2 large sweet onions
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 tablespoon water or milk (dairy or plant-based)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1–2 teaspoons paprika
1/2–1 teaspoons cayenne (more if you want more heat)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Nonstick cooking spray
Optional: black pepper, chili flakes

For the dipping sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional, for extra heat)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Pinch of salt

Directions
Make the dipping sauce: Add all ingredients to a nonreactive bowl and store to combine. Cover and chill until ready to use.

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you want extra crispy onions, place a wire baking rack of the parchment.

Peel the onions and cut off the stem end and root end. Slice into 1/2" rings and separate the rings.

Set up your coating station. Add flour, whisked eggs and water and panko crumbs with spices into separate bowls.

Dip each onion ring into the flour, then the egg and then the seasoned panko crumbs. Place the ring onto your baking sheet/wire rack and continue this process until all rings are coated. Be sure to place the rings on your baking sheet in a single layer.

Spray the tops of the rings with cooking spray. Bake 12-15 minutes, remove from oven, flip the rings with kitchen tongs and bake for another 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately with your dipping sauce.