No Beer, No Problem: Add A Splash Of This Drink For The Crunchiest Onion Rings

A top-tier onion ring brings together several textural qualities into one bite. You want enough heft to encase the slivers of allium, yet a crunchy consistency that's delicate. Each bite should contain both onion and batter, and while seasoning should be present, the onion's internal sweetness should still come through. It's a complex balance to get right, with beer often used as a cornerstone of the batter.

The beverage lends several advantages to onion rings: The hops and malt add flavor, the alcohol evaporates quickly during frying, and — most importantly — the carbonation creates an airy batter that translates to crunchiness. However, if you're not keen on adding a brew to your onion ring recipe, no fear: Sparkling water is a terrific alternative. Just like beer, the carbonation works its textural magic. And when used alongside rice flour (a tempura influence), you'll produce some of the crispiest onion rings, with an even more delicate texture.

It's critical to pour the sparkling water in as cold as possible — temperature control is essential for optimal crispness. As a result, you'll want to incorporate the water right out of the fridge, at the conclusion of batter preparation. Stir until the batter is homogeneous and on the liquidy side, similar to pancake or waffle batter in consistency. And you can also dredge the onions in flour separately first to make sure the breading sticks. Put the two elements together, deep-fry, and you'll get an onion ring rendition that is no less successful than a beer-based one.

Unlike beer and other flavored carbonated beverages, sparkling water's neutral flavor can be used to your advantage. Such a batter comes out lighter and without much added flavor, letting you tweak the seasonings to your liking. A rendition can be kept to a straightforward salt-only seasoning, which really puts the onions front and center. Or you can go with more flavorful spices like onion and garlic powder, paprika, and a dash of cayenne for heat. Don't rule out using some dried herbs in the batter, either; parsley flakes lend a nice herbal touch, for example. Apply seasoning both to the batter and after cooking to ensure comprehensive flavoring.

Want to up the crisp even further? Reach for some starchy ingredients other than flour and cornstarch. Dry potato flakes will lend your onion rings a pleasant starchy spin, and for an extra-golden-brown character, coat the dish with panko. Without beer in the mix, you can still achieve a light, airy texture. Serve them alongside homemade ranch, and it's an onion ring composition you'll want to make again and again.