Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe

Introduction

These Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings are a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Tender onion rings are filled with creamy mozzarella and coated in a crunchy, golden crust—perfect for dipping and sharing. They’re baked, not fried, for a lighter yet satisfying snack.

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet onion, cut into 1/2 inch thick rings
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 12 sticks part skim mozzarella cheese sticks, frozen
• 1 cup whole wheat flour, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1/2 cup Corn Chex or cornflakes, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Marinara sauce or ranch dressing, for dipping

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large, shallow container, combine onion rings and buttermilk, coating all onion pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight for more tender onions.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Remove onion rings from buttermilk and arrange on the baking sheet in pairs, with one ring about 1/2 inch smaller than the other.
3. Step 3: Remove mozzarella sticks from the freezer and let soften slightly for about 5 minutes. Quarter each cheese stick lengthwise and fit the cheese segments snugly between each onion ring pair, about 2 quarters per ring.
4. Step 4: Prepare coating stations: place 3/4 cup flour in a small bowl, beat eggs in a second bowl, and combine remaining 1/4 cup flour, cornmeal, panko, crushed cereal, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
5. Step 5: Dip each stuffed onion ring first into the flour, then egg, then flour again. Dip once more into egg, then coat thoroughly in the panko mixture. Transfer coated rings to the baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Spray the coated onion rings liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
7. Step 7: Serve hot with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use any sharp or mozzarella cheese you like for stuffing, but freeze it first to prevent melting during baking.
• Soaking onions overnight in buttermilk mellows their flavor and adds tenderness.
• For extra crispiness, try double coating the onion rings with the panko mixture.
• Gluten-free flour and cereal can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular onions instead of sweet onions?

Yes, regular yellow or white onions work fine, but sweet onions provide a milder, sweeter flavor that pairs well with the cheese filling.

Are these onion rings suitable for frying instead of baking?

They can be fried for a crispier texture, but baking is healthier and still yields great crunch. If frying, freeze the stuffed rings well beforehand to prevent cheese leakage.

Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe

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4.5 from 127 reviews

Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings combine the savory sweetness of tender onion rings with gooey melted mozzarella cheese, all enveloped in a crunchy, flavorful coating. This baked version offers a healthier, crispy alternative to traditional fried onion rings, perfect as a snack or appetizer paired with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Yield: 12 stuffed onion rings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Onion and Soaking Liquid

• 1 large sweet onion, cut into 1/2 inch thick rings
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk

Cheese

• 12 sticks part skim mozzarella cheese sticks, frozen

Breading and Coating

• 1 cup whole wheat flour, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup Corn Chex or cornflakes, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray

Dipping Sauce

• Marinara sauce or ranch dressing, for dipping

Instructions

1. Soak Onions: In a large, shallow container, combine the onion slices and buttermilk, making sure all onions are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Longer soaking will tenderize the onions for better texture.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and set aside.
3. Assemble Onion Ring Pairs: Remove onions from the buttermilk. Arrange the onion slices on the prepared baking sheet in pairs, with one ring about 1/2 inch smaller to nest inside the larger ring and create a gap for the cheese.
4. Prepare Cheese: Take mozzarella sticks from the freezer and allow them to soften slightly for about 5 minutes. Quarter each cheese stick lengthwise, and press 2 quarters snugly into the gap between each paired onion ring.
5. Prepare Breading Stations: Place 3/4 cup flour in one bowl. Beat the 3 eggs in a second bowl. In a third bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup flour, cornmeal, panko, crushed Corn Chex (or cornflakes), salt, and black pepper.
6. Bread the Onion Rings: Gently dip each stuffed onion ring first into the flour bowl, then into the beaten eggs, and back into the flour bowl. Dip them again into the egg and finally coat with the panko mixture. Place each coated onion ring back on the baking sheet.
7. Spray and Bake: Liberally spray the coated onion rings with nonstick cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for about 22 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until they are golden and crispy.
8. Serve: Serve the mozzarella-stuffed onion rings hot with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

Notes

• Soaking onions in buttermilk softens their sharpness and helps the coating adhere better.
• Freezing the mozzarella sticks before use helps them hold their shape and prevents melting out during baking.
• Flipping the onion rings halfway through baking ensures even crispness on both sides.
• Using a mixture of cornmeal, panko, and crushed cornflakes creates a crunchy texture.
• For extra crispiness, spray the onion rings generously with cooking spray before baking.

Keywords: mozzarella stuffed onion rings, baked onion rings, crispy baked appetizer, cheesy onion rings, healthier onion rings