Crispy Baked Cheesy Onion Rings with Mozzarella (Print version)

Sweet onion rings stuffed with mozzarella, double-coated in crispy crumbs, and baked until golden with a melty cheese center.

# Ingredients:

For the rings

01 - 1 large sweet onion, cut into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick rings
02 - 6 part-skim mozzarella string cheese sticks, frozen
03 - 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

For the coating

04 - 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, divided
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 3/4 cup (45 g) panko breadcrumbs
07 - 1/2 cup (20 g) crushed cornflakes
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray

For serving

13 - 1 cup (240 ml) warm marinara sauce or ranch dressing

# Instructions:

01 - Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 45 minutes. Cut each stick lengthwise into 4 thin strips right before stuffing.
02 - Separate the onion into rings and choose pairs that nest with a small gap between them. Soak the rings in buttermilk for 30 minutes, then drain well.
03 - Place a smaller onion ring inside a larger one. Press mozzarella strips into the gap between the two rings, trimming pieces as needed so the cheese sits snugly.
04 - Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment and set a wire rack on top if you have one. Put 1/2 cup flour in one bowl, beat the eggs in a second bowl, and mix the remaining flour with panko, cornflakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a third bowl.
05 - Dip each stuffed ring in flour, then egg, then flour again, then egg again, and finally the crumb mixture. Press crumbs gently over every edge and seam.
06 - Arrange the rings on the prepared pan and spray generously with cooking spray. Bake for 20-24 minutes, turning once halfway through, until deeply golden and crisp.
07 - Let the rings rest for 3 minutes so the cheese settles slightly. Serve hot with warm marinara or ranch.

# Good to know:

01 - For the cleanest cheese pull, serve within 10 minutes of baking.
02 - Inactive chilling time helps prevent cheese leaks.
03 - A wire rack on the baking sheet helps the bottoms crisp.

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