Copycat French’s Fried Onions From Scratch Recipe
This recipe recreates the crispy, flavorful French’s Fried Onions from scratch using fresh onions, buttermilk, and a seasoned flour coating. Perfect as a crunchy topping for casseroles, salads, and more, these homemade fried onions deliver the same satisfying crunch and taste as the classic store-bought variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Snack/Topping
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Onion Soak
- 2.5 cups Homemade or store-bought buttermilk
- 4 cups thinly sliced onions (halves and rings of small onions)
Coating
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
Frying
- 4 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Soak Onions: Soak the thinly sliced onions in buttermilk for at least 10 minutes to help the flour mixture adhere and add moisture.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Heat Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large pan and heat it to 375°F (190°C). Test the oil’s readiness by dipping the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil; if bubbles form around the handle, the oil is hot enough for frying.
- Coat and Fry Onions: Dredge the buttermilk-soaked onions in the seasoned flour mixture until well coated. Fry the coated onions in batches, avoiding overcrowding, until they turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried onions and drain them on paper towel-lined plates to absorb excess oil. Continue frying all onions, replacing lined plates as needed to keep the onions crispy.
- Store or Serve: Use the fried onions immediately for maximum crispiness or store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a few days.
Notes
- Ensure the oil maintains 375°F for optimal crispiness and to prevent soggy onions.
- Slicing onions uniformly helps achieve even cooking and consistent texture.
- Use small onions or pearl onions for best results and classic appearance.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this lowers oil temperature and leads to greasy onions.
- These fried onions make an excellent topping for green bean casseroles, salads, and burgers.
