I used to think keto onion rings were a lie.
Every version I tried either fell apart, went soggy, or tasted like sadness dipped in pork rinds.
After a lot of crispy-fail experiments (RIP, coconut flour-only versions), I finally cracked it:
A three-layer dredge that actually clings, crisps, and stays crispy.
And you don’t even have to deep fry it—air fryer for the win. 🙌
💡 What Solves the “Sad Keto Onion Ring” Problem
- Triple Coating Strategy: Coconut flour first (to dry the onion), egg second (for glue), pork rinds + almond flour last (for crunch armor).
- Fine Pork Rind Crumbs: If your pork rinds look chunky, you’re setting yourself up for patchy, floppy rings. Blitz them fine, like breadcrumbs.
- Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer: Let the air swirl around those babies or you’ll just steam your rings into sadness.
🧾 What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs
- 1 large onion – Sliced into thick ½” rings (net carbs are worth it here—about 1–2g per serving after coating).
- 3 tbsp coconut flour – Dries the surface so the coating clings.
- ¼ tsp sea salt – Base seasoning; don’t skip it.
- 2 large eggs – The glue that holds it all together.
- ⅔ cup pork rinds, crushed finely – Major crunch factor.
- 3 tbsp blanched almond flour – Softens the pork rind edge, gives it a fry-batter feel.
- ½ tsp paprika – Warmth and color.
- ½ tsp garlic powder – Because plain pork rind taste needs help.
🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work
- Can’t do almond flour? Sub lupin flour—but only 2 tbsp (it’s super absorbent).
- Want spicy rings? Add ½ tsp cayenne to the pork rind coating.
- Coconut allergy? Use superfine almond flour for the dredge instead, but double-coat it (or it won’t stick as well).
⚠️ Learn From My Low-Carb Fails
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Coating slid off | Too much egg | Let excess egg drip off fully. |
Rings soggy | Overcrowded air fryer | Leave breathing space between rings. |
Coating burned | Too high heat / not preheated | Always preheat air fryer for 2–3 minutes first. |
👩🍳 Step-By-Step: How To Make Keto Onion Rings
- Set up your bowls:
- Bowl 1: Coconut flour + salt
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
- Bowl 3: Crushed pork rinds + almond flour + spices
- Dredge:
- Dip onion rings into coconut flour, coat well.
- Dunk into egg, shake off excess.
- Press into pork rind mix, packing it on tight.
- Prepare the fryer:
- Lightly grease your basket or racks.
- Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- Air fry:
- If using two racks: 8 minutes, switch, another 8 minutes.
- If using basket: 16 minutes total, flipping halfway.
- Serve hot:
- No cooling down. No waiting. Straight to plate.

🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- Pre-crush pork rinds in bulk: Save time next round.
- Sift coconut flour: Avoid clumps that mess with dredging.
- Keep a clean “dry hand” and “wet hand” when dredging: Trust me, it makes life less messy.
🧊 Meal Prep Notes That Matter
- Store:
Cool rings fully. Layer between paper towels in an airtight container.
Keeps 3 days in the fridge. - Reheat:
Air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 3–5 minutes. They’ll crisp back up beautifully. - Freeze?
Honestly… Not worth it.
The onions release too much water on thawing and kill the crunch.
❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers
- Will these spike my blood sugar?
Highly unlikely. Onion has a few natural sugars, but spread across servings, it’s minimal. - Can I use all coconut flour?
Technically, yes… but expect a drier, tougher crust. (I hated it.) - What dip works best?
Ranch, spicy mayo, or sugar-free BBQ sauce. Pick your keto poison.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 6 onion rings (¼ of the recipe)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 135 kcal |
Total Fat | 7g |
• Saturated Fat | 2–3g |
Cholesterol | 50mg |
Sodium | 250mg |
Potassium | 150mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 8g |
• Dietary Fiber | 3g |
• Sugars | 2g |
Net Carbs | 5g |
Protein | 10g |
Check out More Recipes:

Low Carb Keto Onion Rings
Description
Crispy, golden keto onion rings made with coconut flour, pork rinds, and almond flour—air-fried to perfection for the ultimate low-carb snack or side.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prep three bowls: (1) coconut flour + salt, (2) beaten eggs, (3) pork rind mix.
- Dredge onion rings: coconut flour → egg → pork rind mix.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place rings on greased rack/basket without touching.
- Air fry: 16 minutes total, flipping or switching racks halfway.
- Serve hot with your favorite dip.
Low Carb Keto Onion Rings