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sourdough onion rings on a white plate

Sourdough Discard Onion Rings

Crispy, golden brown sourdough onion rings made with sourdough starter discard for a subtle tang and extra crunch. A simple, small batch recipe that’s perfect for garden fresh onions and pairs beautifully with kefir ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 6 people

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sourdough starter discard thin with regular water if needed, should be like thin pancake batter
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1½ tbsp black pepper
  • 1 to 1½ tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 to 1½ tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1 large onion sweet onions are best, though white onions will work too
  • Avocado oil peanut oil, or canola oil for frying (enough for at least 1 inch of oil in your skillet or dutch oven, or fill your deep fryer to the manufacturer’s instructions)

Instructions

  • Heat the oil. For a skillet or dutch oven, add about 1 inch of oil. For a deep fryer, fill according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Heat to 350°F over medium-high heat. Use a candy thermometer to monitor oil temperature.
  • Prepare the onions. Peel a large sweet onion and slice into ½ inch thick rings. Separate the rings and set aside.
  • Mix the flour coating. In a medium bowl, combine flour, onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
  • Prepare the sourdough batter. Pour the sourdough starter discard into a shallow dish. If it is very thick, thin with a tablespoon or two of warm water until it has the consistency of thin pancake batter.
  • Coat the onion rings. Dip each onion ring into the sourdough batter, then dredge in the flour mixture until fully coated. Set on a wire rack while you prepare the rest.
  • Fry the onion rings. Working in small batches, carefully place coated rings into the hot oil. Fry 2–3 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon or tongs and transfer to a paper towel lined plate or wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining onion rings.
  • Serve hot with dipping sauce. Kefir ranch is a favorite, but spicy sriracha kefir ranch, horseradish sauce, or blooming onion sauce are all great options.

Notes

Fry in small batches so the oil stays hot and the onion rings crisp properly.
Extra flour mix can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for later.
This sourdough batter method also works well for frying squash or zucchini.