Oklahoma-Style Grilled Chicken-Fried Onion Rings

Introduction

These thick-cut Oklahoma-style chicken-fried onion rings are a smoky, crispy delight grilled entirely on the Arteflame. Battered and breaded just like traditional chicken-fried steak, these golden onion rings pack major crunch with a juicy, sweet onion interior. Grilling them on the Arteflame gives them that perfect crispy sear without ever drying them out. From backyard BBQs to indulgent appetizers, these onion rings will be the golden centerpiece of your grill session.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet onions (like Vidalia), sliced into 1/2-inch thick rings
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• Unsalted butter (for grilling)
• Optional: your favorite dipping sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up your Arteflame Grill

1. Pour a small amount of vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the soaked napkins in the center of the Arteflame bowl.
3. Stack dry firewood over the napkins.
4. Light the napkins and let burn for about 20 minutes until the grill is hot and flames are strong.

Step 2: Prepping the Onion Rings

1. Peel and slice the onions into thick 1/2-inch rings, separating the rings carefully.
2. Soak the onion rings in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and add flavor.

Step 3: Prepare the Breading Station

1. In one bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
2. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
3. Dredge each ring in flour, then into the egg wash, and again in the flour. Press the flour in to help it stick well.

Step 4: Grilling the Onion Rings

1. Place a generous pat of unsalted butter where you plan to grill on the Arteflame flat top cooktop, closer to the center for more heat.
2. Place the breaded rings over the buttered area. You'll hear the sizzling sound that tells you you're getting the perfect sear.
3. Grill each side for about 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use metal tongs to gently flip them.
4. Move the rings toward the outer cooler zone if they are browning too quickly to allow the inside to fully cook.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

1. Remove the rings once they're golden and crispy.
2. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauces.

Tips

• Keep onion rings in a single layer for even cooking.
• Breading sticks better if the onion rings are dried slightly before coating.
• Grill in batches to avoid crowding the hot zone on the griddle.
• Use clarified butter if you want more burn resistance.
• Serve hot for optimal crispiness and flavor fidelity.

Variations

1. Spicy Oklahoma Rings: Add a teaspoon of cayenne and smoked chipotle powder to the flour for a bite of heat.
2. Herbed Ranch Rings: Add dried dill, oregano, and parsley to the flour and serve with ranch sauce.
3. Cheesy Onion Rings: Mix grated Parmesan and cheddar powder into the flour blend for a cheesy crust.
4. BBQ Infused Rings: Add BBQ dry rub to the flour and serve with tangy BBQ sauce for bold flavor.
5. Cornmeal Crunch Rings: Mix 50/50 cornmeal and flour for added crunch and a Southern crunch texture.

Conclusion

These Oklahoma-style grilled chicken-fried onion rings are sure to become a fan favorite at your next backyard BBQ. Thanks to the Arteflame grill’s unique flat griddle cooking surface, you get a crave-worthy crunch and depth of flavor you simply can’t match in an oven or fryer. Fire up your grill and put your own Oklahoma stamp on this timeless dish.

Best Pairings

• Grilled burgers or steaks reverse-seared on the center grill grate
• Ice-cold pilsner or wheat beer
• Homemade coleslaw or grilled corn on the cob
• Smoky bacon aioli or Sriracha mayo dip