Golden Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe

Crispy onion rings with mozzarella sneak hidden cheesy goodness into every delectable bite.

Some classic appetizers need serious reinvention.

These golden-brown circles promise unexpected flavor adventures for anyone tired of predictable snacks.

Biting through a perfectly crunchy exterior and discovering a melted cheese surprise inside.

Each ring combines comfort food nostalgia with clever culinary innovation.

Cheese lovers and appetizer enthusiasts will totally fall for this playful twist on a familiar favorite.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress everyone at the table.

Why Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Are So Good

• Cheese-Packed Crunch: Mozzarella stuffed inside crispy onion rings creates an explosive burst of melty cheese with every bite, delivering a delightful surprise that elevates traditional onion rings.
• Zero-Guilt Baking Method: Unlike deep-fried versions, these rings are baked, reducing oil consumption while maintaining incredible crispiness through strategic cooking spray and panko breadcrumbs.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Preparation takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making this recipe perfect for busy families wanting a delicious appetizer or snack without complicated cooking techniques.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easily adaptable with different cheese types, spice blends, or dipping sauces, allowing home cooks to experiment and personalize the recipe to their taste preferences.

What Goes Into Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

Main Ingredients:

• Onions, Mozzarella Sticks: Sweet and mild onions paired with creamy mozzarella create a delicious base for these stuffed rings. Yellow or white onions work best with thick, sturdy layers.

• Flour, Panko Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Crispy coating ingredients that provide texture and golden-brown exterior. Panko offers extra crunchiness compared to traditional breadcrumbs.

• Eggs, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Eggs help breading stick to onion rings, while spices add depth of flavor. Fresh ground pepper provides more intense taste.

• Cooking Spray: Helps achieve crispy exterior and prevents sticking to baking sheet. Use neutral-flavored spray for best results.

• Marinara Sauce, Ranch Dressing: Classic dipping sauces that complement the cheesy, crispy onion rings. Optional accompaniments for extra flavor.

Steps To Make Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

Step 1: Slice and Prep Onion Rings

Grab some fresh onions and slice them into thick, uniform rings about half an inch wide. Gently separate the rings, looking for pairs where one ring nestles perfectly inside another. This creates the perfect pocket for your cheesy surprise. Take a mozzarella stick and carefully tuck it between the two onion ring layers, pressing softly to create a snug fit.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Coating Stations

Set up three shallow dishes for your magical transformation:

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Whole eggs
• Whisk until smooth and uniform

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Step 3: Bread the Onion Rings

• First, roll in the seasoned flour mixture
• Dunk into the egg wash, letting excess drip off
• Finally, coat generously in the breadcrumb mixture
• Press gently to ensure a perfect, crispy exterior

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Prep your baking sheet with parchment paper and a light cooking spray. Arrange the breaded rings with some breathing room between them. Spritz the tops with cooking spray to encourage maximum crispiness. Slide into a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and bake for 15-18 minutes. Flip them halfway through to ensure even browning.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out your crispy, cheesy rings and let them cool for a moment. Serve alongside marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or your personal favorite dipping companion. Watch as friends and family dive into these irresistible treats!

Tips That Help Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

• Slice Strategically: Choose large, firm onions with thick rings to create the perfect vessel for mozzarella stuffing and ensure even cooking.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Pat onion rings dry with paper towels before breading to remove excess moisture and guarantee extra crispiness.
• Cheese Placement Matters: Use cold mozzarella sticks and press them firmly between onion rings to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
• Breadcrumb Boost: Mix panko with Parmesan for an extra crispy, flavorful coating that browns beautifully in the oven.
• Dipping Sauce Dynamite: Experiment with marinara, ranch, or spicy aioli to complement the cheesy, crispy onion rings and elevate the flavor profile.

Store Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover onion rings in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain crispiness.
• Reheat in Oven: Revive the crispy texture by preheating the oven to 375F. Spread rings on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, turning once halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Air Fryer Method: Quickly restore crunchiness by air frying at 350F for 3-4 minutes. Arrange rings in a single layer without overcrowding to maintain their crisp exterior.
• Avoid Microwave: Skip microwave reheating as it will make the breading soggy and ruin the delightful crunch you worked hard to achieve.

Pair Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings With These

• Dip into Marinara Magic: Pair these crispy mozzarella-stuffed onion rings with a zesty marinara sauce for a classic Italian-inspired flavor explosion that brings out the cheesy goodness and adds a tangy kick.
• Ranch Dressing Delight: Complement the crispy exterior with cool, creamy ranch dressing that balances the warm, crunchy onion rings and provides a smooth contrast to the melted mozzarella inside.
• Beer Buddy Pairing: Grab a cold craft beer, especially a light lager or hoppy pale ale, to cut through the richness of the cheese and enhance the crispy breaded texture of these delectable rings.
• Refreshing Citrus Spritzer: Serve with a light, citrusy white wine or a sparkling lemon-lime mocktail to cleanse the palate and provide a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the rich, cheesy appetizer.

Try New Takes On Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

• Spicy Cheese Fusion: Swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese and add cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Magic: Replace Parmesan with crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle dried oregano into the breadcrumbs for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Crunch: Mix fresh chopped herbs like basil, thyme, and parsley into the breadcrumb coating for an aromatic and vibrant version of the classic recipe.
• Smoky Southwest Style: Incorporate smoked paprika, chili powder, and use cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella to create a southwestern-inspired onion ring experience.

Questions About Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

• Can I use a different type of cheese for stuffing?

Yes, you can substitute mozzarella with other melty cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.

• How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?

Make sure to press the mozzarella stick firmly between the onion rings and seal the edges well. Also, avoid overstuffing to minimize cheese spillage.

• Are these onion rings healthier than deep-fried versions?

Absolutely! Baking instead of deep-frying significantly reduces the oil content, making these onion rings a lighter, more nutritious alternative to traditional deep-fried rings.

• Can I make these rings ahead of time?

You can prepare the stuffed and breaded onion rings in advance and refrigerate them for up to 2 hours before baking. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re cold from the refrigerator.

Mozzarella Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy mozzarella stuffed onion rings deliver irresistible comfort with an unexpected twist of cheesy goodness. Golden panko crusts and melted cheese centers promise a delightful snack that satisfies savory cravings in one perfect bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet onions
• 8 ounces (225 grams) mozzarella cheese, cut into sticks

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Carefully peel onions and slice into robust rings approximately 1/2 inch thick, ensuring each ring maintains a stable structure for stuffing. Select matching ring pairs with slightly different circumferences to create perfect pockets for mozzarella insertion.
2. Create precise compartments by nestling a mozzarella stick between paired onion rings, gently pressing edges to minimize potential cheese leakage during cooking.
3. Establish three distinct coating zones: first station featuring seasoned flour blend with aromatic garlic and onion powders, second station containing whisked eggs for adhesive binding, third station combining crunchy panko breadcrumbs with nutty Parmesan cheese.
4. Methodically transform each onion ring through coating processes – thoroughly dredge in seasoned flour, ensuring complete coverage, immerse in egg wash allowing excess to drip away, then generously roll in breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to guarantee maximum crispy exterior.
5. Arrange coated rings on parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining slight separation to promote even heat circulation. Delicately mist surfaces with cooking spray to enhance golden-brown potential.
6. Position sheet in preheated 425°F oven, rotating midway through cooking cycle to guarantee uniform crispness. Monitor closely, removing when rings achieve rich amber coloration and exterior reaches optimal crunchiness.
7. Allow brief cooling period to stabilize molten cheese interior. Present immediately alongside complementary dipping sauces like zesty marinara or creamy ranch for enhanced gustatory experience.

Notes

• Choose firm, large onions to create perfect ring pairs with enough space for mozzarella stuffing.
• Select low-moisture mozzarella sticks to prevent excessive leaking during baking and maintain crispy texture.
• Ensure even coating by using one hand for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients during breading process.
• Arrange rings with enough space between them on baking sheet to allow hot air circulation and achieve maximum crispiness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg