Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (2024)

Published: Last Updated: by Marye 1158 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

Homemade French fried onions are super crispy with lots of flavor and a tongue-tingling kick from optional Cajun seasonings. The crunchy texture is perfect on your green bean casserole! They're much easier to make than you might think!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 13 minutes mins

Jump to Recipe

You'll never have to make a quick run to the store the day before Thanksgiving when you've got this easy recipe at your fingertips! SO convenient - and better than store bought.

Perfect on top of all your favorite casseroles and soups!

Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (1)
Table of Contents
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🧾Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 🎥 Video
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

OMG these are amazing...

OMG these are amazing! My husband is a glutard, so I substituted GF flour, and they came out SO much better than any other recipe I've tried. THANK YOU!

Elena

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • better than the original crispy fried onions
  • perfect to top casseroles and for salad toppings
  • don't do Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without them!

Quick, easy, and money saving!

These are so delicious with that crunch texture we all love - and no worries about the store being sold out during the holidays.

After all, what's green bean casserole without those crispy fried onions on top?

🧾Ingredients

  • Tony Chachere's Seasoning is a spicy blend that I add to the flour -there's a link in the recipe or you might like to try my copycat Tony Chachere's seasoning.. You can substitute salt and pepper if you like.
  • Peanut Oil is my favorite for frying as long as there are no allergies. It's got a high smoke point and fries clean and crispy. Other oils to use are: safflower, grape seed, or canola.

🔪Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below. Click on the image to see it full size.

Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (3)

You'll find the instructions for frying, air frying, and baking in the printable card at the bottom of the page.

  1. Slice white onions very thin and soak in buttermilk about 10 minutes.
  2. Mix the flour and the seasoning.
  3. Drain the onions dredge in the flour mixture.
  4. Let sit for about 5 minutes before frying.
Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (4)
  1. Heat oil to 375F. Fry a few at a time in hot oil.
  2. Remove when they are golden brown. They will crisp more as they cool.

Note: I used to have air fryer instructions but I have removed them because the quality is just not there.

🎥 Video

🥫 Storage

Homemade French fried onions can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for a couple of days. Here's how -

  1. Cool completely.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. Crisp back up (if needed) in a 375F oven for 5 minutes or so - watch carefully!

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: The trick for copycat French's fried onions is to slice the onions super thin and fry them until they are crispy but not burnt.

  • Deep frying in oil is the best way to make fried onions. Air fryer and oven methods are ok but not as good as frying.
  • Use a large mild onion like a 1015 onion.
  • Let them soak in the buttermilk longer if the onions are very strong.
  • Drain as much buttermilk as possible off the onions before dredging in the flour.
  • If you don't have buttermilk you can use regular milk.
  • Use these crispy fried onion strings on top of any casserole the way you would with Durkee or French's.
  • Grind them into crumbs and use them to coat the chicken.
  • Homemade French fried onions are fabulous on burgers and hot dogs!
  • Eat for a snack.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Can these be made gluten-free?

They can! Just substitute GF flour for the all-purpose flour. It couldn't be easier! Be sure to double-check any seasonings you add for gluten.

How should I store them - are they shelf stable?

You can store them in an airtight container in a cool pantry for a day or two if you've been sure to cook them thoroughly. You may need to crisp them back up for a few minutes in an air fryer or oven.

Can I make these a day or two in advance? Do they stay crispy?

Yes. Just be sure to drain well and blot off as much oil as possible, let them cool completely, and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I make these vegan?

Absolutely. Just use oat milk or other plant-based milk with a tablespoon of vinegar per cup.

Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (5)
  • Baked French Onion Chicken
  • Onion Cheese Yeast Bread Recipe
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Southern Pecan Pie Recipe {with Karo Syrup}
  • Oven Roasted Quail: Quick Romantic Dinner
  • Bacon Brussels Sprouts
  • Whipped Sweet Potatoes

See more Thanksgiving Recipes →

📞 The last word

A few years ago Thanksgiving came and I was madly throwing things together trying to get everything done. I realized at the very last minute that I did not have the crispy onions for the top of the green bean casserole.

Quelle horreur!

I did what any red-blooded American foodie would do... I had a meltdown.

Once that was out of the way I figured out how to make my own copycat French's onions. And I like them SO much better.

I will never go back to the store-bought French fried onions again. These are so good!

We love them on top of this crack chicken chili.

📖 Recipe

Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (10)

Crispy French Fried Onions (Copycat French's Onions) from Scratch

Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Homemade French fried onions are super crispy with lots of flavor and a tongue-tingling kick from optional Cajun seasonings. The crunchy texture is perfect on your green bean casserole! They're much easier to make than you might think!

Course Condiments and Spices,Side Dish

Cuisine Amercian Heritage

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes

Total Time: 13 minutes minutes

Servings:12

Calories:127

Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds onions, peeled and sliced paper thin
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups flour, all-purpose
  • 3 tablespoons Creole Seasoning (Tony Chachere’s), or your favorite seasoning
  • Peanut oil for frying, (I like this best, if there is an allergy any other oil with a high smoke point can be used.)

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Heat the deep fryer up to 375F.

  • Mix the flour and the Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning in a large bowl.

  • Add the onions to the buttermilk in a separate bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.

  • Drain and then dredge in the flour.

  • Shake off excess flour.

  • Fry, a few at a time, until golden brown and crisp.

  • Drain on paper towels.

  • Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Tips

  • The trick is to slice the onions super thin and fry them until they are crispy but not burnt. You don't want onion rings, you want them to be crispy all the way through so you have that classic crunch.
  • Drain as much buttermilk as possible off the onions before dredging in the flour.
  • If you don't have buttermilk you can use regular milk.
  • Use these on top of any casserole the way you would with Durkee or French's.
  • Grind them into crumbs and use them to coat chicken.
  • Fabulous on burgers and hot dogs!
  • Eat for a snack.

Can these French fried onions be made gluten-free?

They can! Just substitute gluten-free flour for the flour in the recipe. It couldn't be easier! Be sure to double-check any seasonings you add for gluten.

Storage:

Store French-fried onions in an airtight container in a cool pantry for a day or two. Make sure you've cooked them thoroughly. You may need to crisp them back up for a few minutes in an air fryer or oven.

For safety's sake, it's probably better to put them in the fridge if you are going to keep them longer and crisp them up when ready to use again.

You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

First published November 2015. Last updated September 4, 2023 for editorial improvements.

More Basic Kitchen Skills and Recipes

  • Creole Mustard Substitutes
  • How to Reheat Biscuits in the Air Fryer
  • Is It Safe to Eat Raw Asparagus?
  • Baking Dish Conversions

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them. She's been around the culinary block more than once, turning simple ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces. With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of wit, she makes cooking feel like a piece of cake (which she can also teach you to bake perfectly). When she's not conjuring up delicious dishes, you might find her sharing laughs with her family, reading by the fire, or scribbling down her next big recipe idea. Marye believes that a good meal and a hearty laugh are the best parts of life. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Cindy

    Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (15)
    These are so good with your campfire sauce recipe!

    Reply

  2. Camden

    I'm surprised to see how easy it is to make french fried onions at home!

    Reply

  3. Alyssa

    These french fried onions would be perfect on top of a cheeseburger! Can't wait to give these a try!

    Reply

  4. Kristen

    Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (16)
    Do you think I could make a gluten free version of this french fried onions recipe? My daughter and I both have gluten allergies, and every Thanksgiving and Christmas I spend a million dollars on the store-bought gluten free version--let alone trying to even track it down! I wonder if it would be cheaper and tastier if I made it at home!

    Reply

  5. Kristen

    Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (17)
    Do you think I could make a gluten free version of this recipe? My daughter and I both have gluten allergies, and every Thanksgiving and Christmas I spend a million dollars on the store-bought gluten free version--let alone trying to even track it down! I wonder if it would be cheaper and tastier if I made it at home!

    Reply

« Older Comments

Copycat French's Fried Onions Recipe from Scratch (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for French's fried onions? ›

Easy French Fried Onion Alternatives for Green Bean Casserole
  • Butter + Ritz cracker crumbs.
  • Coarsely crushed potato chips.
  • Butter + Corn Flakes cereal crumbs.
  • Butter + Panko breadcrumbs with a dash of added garlic powder and/or onion powder to taste.
Nov 23, 2023

Why do you soak onions in ice water before making onion rings? ›

Soaking Onions in Ice Water

Soaking onions in water for 15-20 minutes helps to neutralize the flavors of the onion and lessen the “bite”. It also brings out a sweet flavor and makes them a bit crunchier.

Can you use butter instead of oil to fry onions? ›

The more fat in the pan, the more the onions will fry rather than soften. (Okay, you can fry them a little.) You can use just oil, or a combination of butter and oil—the choice is yours! If you pack too many onions into your pan, they'll steam and produce water.

What are French's French fried onions? ›

French's® Crispy Fried Onions are made with only carefully sourced, whole yellow globe onions, not from by-products, to deliver an exceptional texture and craveable flavor. Our fresh onions are fried in trans-fat-free oil, immediately after cutting to maintain their natural sweetness and pungency.

What does soaking onions in milk do? ›

The vinegar soak did rid the onions of much of their burn, but it was replaced by an equally strong sour taste, even after thorough rinsing. Milk was also very effective at removing the sulfur compounds, but it left the onions tasting washed-out.

Are crispy onions the same as French fried onions? ›

Crisp fried onions

Crispy deep fried onions are called "French fried onions" in Southern cooking of the United States. Smaller and irregularly shaped (from being deep-fried until they are crunchy) onions are an integral part of the American dish green bean casserole.

Why do fried onions taste so good? ›

Caramelizing or sauteing onions on low or moderate heat causes a reaction between the sugars and the proteins. The onions turn brown, the sugars come free, and the sulphuric compounds react over and over until the pungent flavor is gone and the sweet sugar flavor remains.

Why are my fried onions not crispy? ›

For onion crisps, you need to deep fry in plenty of oil, as the comments suggest. You should take care that your onion slices of pieces are the same size. Deep fry until golden, then remove from oil and drain well. You should be able to crisp onions in a few minutes.

Do French's crispy fried onions go bad? ›

You should follow the recipe as usual but to ensure the onions will stay crispy, we recommend that you do not place the onions on top until you are ready to reheat. What is the shelf life of French's® French Fried Onions? The shelf life of French's® French Fried Onions is 18 months from the date of manufacture.

Why add salt when frying onions? ›

The salt helps bring the moisture out of the onions. It will help them cook down and brown up a little bit faster, so you get a nicer, deeper, browner flavor. They sweat a little bit with the salt.

Why do you put vinegar in onions? ›

Then you just have to wait long enough for the vinegar to do its job, rinsing away the harsh sulfurous compounds, softening the onion, and giving it a pleasantly tart pop of flavor. If you use red wine vinegar, my personal favorite, the onions also turn an amazing hot-pink color.

Why won't my batter stick to my onion rings? ›

When it comes to batter, ensure it's not too thin or it will drip right off your onion ring. Also, make sure your batter is ice cold, as this makes for a lighter coating when it's fried. In contrast, ensure your oil is piping hot at around 360 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before dropping in your battered rings.

Why does my batter fall off my onion rings? ›

To keep your batter from falling off of your onion rings, make sure to coat them evenly and thoroughly. If it's not hot enough, the batter will start to absorb into the onion and won't be as crispy. For extra crispy onion rings, you can try double dipping them.

Where do you find French fried onions in the grocery store? ›

Canned Vegetable Aisle: The most common location for canned fried onions is on the canned vegetable aisle. They are often placed near the canned green beans or mushrooms [2]. Condiment Aisle: In smaller grocery stores, you may find canned fried onions on the condiment aisle [2].

Are caramelized onions the same as fried onions? ›

The two methods start the same way. Sautéing is about softening and lightly flavoring the onions, while caramelizing is about developing a rich, sweet complexity. Unfortunately, you can't swap one out for the other without changing the flavor profile of your dish.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5444

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.