Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
