Description
Cheese Rings are crispy, golden onion rings coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and stuffed with gooey melted mozzarella cheese. They make an irresistible appetizer, snack, or game-day favorite, delivering a perfect combination of crunchy exterior and cheesy interior.
Ingredients
Onion Rings
- 2 large onions
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into pieces
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Cooking and Serving
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Marinara or ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Onion Rings: Slice the onions into thick rings and carefully separate them into individual rings.
- Assemble Cheese Rings: Pair larger and smaller onion rings together and fill the gap between them with pieces of mozzarella cheese, creating stuffed rings.
- Freeze Rings: Place the assembled cheese rings in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up and prevent cheese leakage while cooking.
- Bread the Rings: Dredge each frozen ring first in all-purpose flour, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with the seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C) for frying.
- Fry Rings: Fry the breaded cheese rings for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and the cheese inside melts.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried rings with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve immediately with marinara or ranch dressing.
Notes
- Freezing the assembled rings before frying helps prevent the cheese from leaking out.
- For a lighter version, you can air fry the rings at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes instead of deep frying.
- Ensure oil temperature remains consistent for even cooking and crispy texture.
- Use thickly sliced onions to avoid breaking apart during assembly and frying.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes freezing)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
