fried, sweet and spicy pickled onion rings

Recipe by
Tammy Brownlow
Dallas, TX

This idea occurred to me when I was thinking about putting an onion ring on a blt. I just thought to myself, "Hmm - I wonder what would happen if I used my sweet and spicy pickling vinegar to marinade the onion slices before making the onion rings". Well you never know until you try it and man they are so good! I would recommend making a double batch - they will go fast. These will be great great with sandwiches, burgers, or as a hot appetizer with ranch sauce. Not your ordinary onion ring. The outside is crispy and savory - while the inside is tender, sweet with a spicy kick.

yield 2 you can easily increase the servings by using another onion
prep time 3 Hr
cook time 10 Min
method Deep Fry

Ingredients For fried, sweet and spicy pickled onion rings

  • 1 lg
    onion, sliced - i would use 1015 if possible
  • 1 c
    cider vinegar
  • 1/2 c
    water
  • 1 c
    sugar
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    pickling spice
  • 2
    fresh jalapeno peppers sliced
  • 1
    habanero pepper, fresh split open
  • 1/2 c
    corn meal
  • 1/2 c
    flour
  • 1 tsp
    baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1/8 tsp
    garlic powder
  • 1
    egg
  • 3/4 c
    buttermilk

How To Make fried, sweet and spicy pickled onion rings

  • 1
    In a medium sauce pan add vinegar, water, sugar, salt, pickling spice, jalapeno, and habenero peppers. Heat on medium heat until boiling and boil for 1 minute. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt.
  • 2
    Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature and pour over onions in a glass container. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. I let mine marinade about 3 hours.
  • 3
    Preheat deep fryer to 350 degrees. In a measuring cup combine buttermilk and egg and whisk to combine.
  • 4
    In another container combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.
  • 5
    Remove the onion slices from the pickling liquid. Do not pat them dry.
  • 6
    Drop them into the cornmeal mixture and set aside.
  • 7
    Place slices one at a time into the buttermilk mixture, followed by the cornmeal mixture. Shake loose flour off onion rings and set aside.
  • 8
    Drop dredged onion slices - 3 or 4 at a time - into deep fryer and cook until golden about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Try to allow them to cool a little before devouring with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
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