Crispy Baked Onion Rings Chips

Crispy onion ring chips baked with Parmesan, onions, and smoky seasoning. A crunchy, no-fry snack that’s perfect with ranch dip.

Onion rings are a staple whenever we eat out at a restaurant that has them because there's just something about that crispy, golden coating and sweet onion inside that I can never resist. It's one of those recipes I know how to make at home, but sometimes I feel way too lazy to deal with all the deep frying, the oil mess, and the batter prep that traditional onion rings require.

These crispy onion ring chips solve that problem completely by giving me all the flavors I crave without any of the hassle. Instead of battering and frying, I just layer cheese and onions on a baking sheet and let the oven do all the work. The cheese creates this incredibly crunchy base that tastes even better than traditional breading, and the onions get perfectly tender while still maintaining their bite.

The cheese crisps up into these golden, lacy edges that shatter when you bite into them. My kids love breaking them into irregular pieces and dipping each one in ranch, while I usually end up eating half the batch straight off the baking sheet before anyone else gets a chance LOL. 

Instead of having onion rings as a restaurant-only treat, I can now easily and quickly have them at home without needing to have a mess, batter, oil, and whatever else, in my kitchen. They're also a great appetizer when you have guests over but make sure you do a double triple batch when you do because these golden brown rings disappear quick.

Pro tip, try this with hot honey air fryer chicken tenders and thank me later.

Ingredients

The cheese is essential for this recipe, and I love using Parmesan because it gets this sharp, nutty flavor that crisps up perfectly in the oven. Sharp cheddar works just as well if you want something more melty and hearty.

Thinly sliced white onions are what make these actually work as chips. I cut them about ⅛-inch thick so they stay tender enough to bite through easily but still give the chips some structure. For seasoning, smoked paprika adds this subtle smokiness that pairs so well with the cheese, while garlic powder rounds everything out.

These are already addicting on their own, but serving them with ranch dip turns them into the perfect snack that disappears way too fast at parties.

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Step-by-step Instructions

This recipe is perfect when you're craving onion rings but don't want to deal with all the frying and batter mess. They're basically deconstructed onion rings that turn into crunchy chips you can't stop eating.

Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Prepare the Cheese Layer

Spread the shredded cheese into a thin, even layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Keep the layer consistent so the chips cook evenly.

Add the Onions

Place the sliced onion rings on top of the cheese, spacing them apart so they don’t overlap. This helps each chip crisp individually.

Season and Spray

Lightly mist the onion rings with avocado oil spray. In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the onions and cheese.

Bake the Chips

Bake in the oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted into a golden, crispy layer around the onions.

Cool and Serve

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chips cool for 5–10 minutes. This helps them firm up and become extra crunchy. Once cooled, break into pieces and serve with ranch dip or your favorite dipping sauce.

Storage

To store these onion ring chips, let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. For the best crunch, reheat on a baking sheet in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to crisp them back up before serving.

Recipe