If you love the flavor of crispy onion rings but don’t feel like messing with all that slicing, battering, and deep frying, these Old-Fashioned Onion Patties are about to be your new favorite thing. They’re golden, crispy on the edges, and filled with sweet, tender onions in every bite.
This recipe has an old-school charm to it — just a handful of pantry staples, one bowl, and a hot skillet. You mix it, drop it in the pan, and in minutes you’ve got a plate of savory fritters that go with just about anything. Breakfast, dinner, or snack? These work all day long.
Why You’ll Love Them
- Crispy like onion rings, but way easier to make
- Simple ingredients – nothing fancy or hard to find
- Budget-friendly and perfect for feeding a crowd
- Great with dips – ketchup, ranch, spicy mayo… you name it
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal (regular or self-rising)
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2½ cups chopped onions (about 1½ large onions)
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup cooking oil (for frying – canola or vegetable oil works great)
Let’s Make Them!
Step 1: Mix It Up
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the chopped onions until they’re well-coated. Pour in the milk and mix everything together with a spoon until you’ve got a thick batter.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. You’ll want enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan generously — about ¼ inch deep.
Step 3: Fry the Patties
Using a ¼ cup measuring scoop or large spoon, drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Flatten slightly with the back of the spoon. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp. Flip carefully and cook the other side.
Step 4: Drain and Serve
Remove the patties from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or as a side to burgers, breakfast plates, or soups.
Quick Tips Before You Start
- Don’t crowd the pan – give them space so they crisp, not steam
- Chop the onions finely so they cook evenly in the batter
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one – it gives the best crisp
- Double the batch – they go fast and reheat well
Make It Your Own
- Add a pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne to the batter
- Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar for cheesy patties
- Use green onions or a mix of white and red onions for variety
- Serve them with spicy ketchup, honey mustard, or even gravy
Old-Fashioned Onion Patties
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 10–12 patties
Difficulty: Easy
Tools Needed: Mixing bowl, skillet, whisk, spoon or scoop
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornmeal
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2½ cups chopped onions (about 1½ large white onions)
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup cooking oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add onions: Stir chopped onions into the dry mix.
- Add milk: Pour in milk and stir until batter forms.
- Heat oil: Heat ¼ inch oil in skillet over medium heat.
- Fry patties: Drop ¼ cup scoops of batter into hot oil. Flatten gently and fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- Drain: Transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot.
Nutrition (per patty, approx.)
Calories: 170 | Carbs: 18g | Fat: 10g | Sugar: 2g | Protein: 3g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! They reheat well. Store them in the fridge and reheat in a skillet or air fryer to crisp them back up.
Can I bake or air fry them instead?
They’re best pan-fried, but you can air fry them at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway. Baking is possible but they won’t get quite as crispy.
What’s the best oil to use for frying?
Canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil all work great — use something neutral with a high smoke point.
Can I use other kinds of onions?
Definitely. Yellow, sweet, red, or even green onions will all work — or mix them up!
How do I keep them warm for a crowd?
Place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you fry the rest. This keeps them crisp and ready to serve.
