Cheesy Mozzarella Rings

If you want a snack that's out-of-this-world, cheesy onion rings totally hit the spot. These crispy bites are filled up with stretchy mozzarella and wrapped up in a satisfying crunchy coat. They're just right for hanging out with friends or when you wanna make a regular weekend feel awesome. Each one packs a punch with onion zip and that cheese stretch everyone goes wild for.

The first time I put together stuffed onion rings was on a whim when torn between making crispy onions or mozzarella sticks. They've now taken center stage on game days since everyone's always asking for more.

Irresistible Ingredients

• Toothpicks: Hold everything together in the hot oil Go for wood ones not plastic so they don’t melt
• Cooking oil: High heat oils like canola or sunflower are best for frying things nice and crisp
• Fine salt: Adds some zing to balance the sweet onion and cheesy flavors Try sea salt if you want things cleaner tasting
• Baking powder: Keeps the batter from being heavy Always double check it's fresh for fluffiest results
• Egg: Makes the batter stick and gives that golden look Fresh eggs give the shell a little puff
• Milk: Gets everything just the right texture for dipping Whole or low-fat is fine
• Panko bread crumbs: Crunchier than your usual breadcrumbs for an awesome shell
• All-purpose flour: Dries off the onions and helps batter grab on Sift if you don’t want lumps
• Mozzarella cheese sticks: The gooey star of the show Go for whole milk mozz when you can
• Thick onion rings from a big onion: Gives structure and all that sweet onion goodness Try yellow onions for something milder

Simple Step-by-Step

Finish and Serve:

Let the hot onion rings rest for a minute on the rack but yank out those toothpicks while they’re hot Eat right away with your favorite dip or marinara sauce

Fry 'em Up:

Fill your pot with about two inches of oil Crank the heat to 350°F or until a crumb dropped in bubbles right Gently add rings—don’t crowd them Let one side turn golden before flipping Once they’re all nice and brown, lift them out with tongs or a slotted spoon

Bread and Double Dip:

Dunk each floured ring in your batter Turn to coat all over Let the extra run off and then press in Panko crumbs till every part’s covered

Batter Up:

Mix up milk with your beaten egg Pour it straight into whatever's left of your dry mix Stir till smooth If it looks too thick, splash in a little more milk

Dry Coating:

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a big bowl Cover your stuffed onion rings in it completely Shake off extra crumbs and move to a rack till ready

Prep the Stuffed Rings:

Match up bigger onion rings with smaller ones to make sets. Stick a mozzarella stick in each gap so it stays snug Hold the cheese in by popping a toothpick through—this keeps leaks at bay

Save

Sweet onions are my top pick since they mellow out when fried Family laughs a lot watching strings of cheese stretch from every crunchy bite

Storage Made Easy

Let leftover rings cool down and toss them in a closed container in your fridge They crisp up if you reheat in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes Skip the microwave or they’ll go mushy

Easy Swaps

Got standard breadcrumbs? Toast them in a pan to make them crunchier. Try cheddar or pepper jack if you want to shake things up on the cheese. Gluten-free flour and Panko can be swapped in if needed—works just fine

Fun Ways to Serve

Stack your onion rings tall for a fun touch. Marinara sauce is a classic but ranch or aioli are fantastic choices too. Serve these up next to veggie burgers or pop them in a wrap for something different

Story & Traditions

Classic onion rings have been diner favorites in America for ages and filling them with cheese gives a playful spin. Mozzarella sticks and onion rings always get crowds happy and putting them together is a whole new level of tasty and fun

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I stop the cheese from oozing out when frying?

Use toothpicks to secure the mozzarella tightly inside the onion rings. Make sure the batter and breadcrumbs completely cover them to lock in the cheese.

→ Can different cheeses work here?

Totally! Swap mozzarella for cheddar or pepper jack if you want a punchier flavor. Just trim cheese slices so they fit snugly in the onions.

→ Why bother with a double coating?

A second layer of flour and breadcrumbs gives these onion rings a fantastic crunch and helps seal in all that cheesy goodness.

→ What dipping sauce pairs nicely?

Marinara works great, but ranch or garlic aioli also taste amazing with these savory rings.

→ Could I bake these instead of frying?

If you prefer, bake them at 425°F (220°C) until golden. They won't be as crispy, but they'll still be tasty!

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Let them cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep that crunch alive.