1. Homepage
  2. All Recipes
  3. Mozzarella Onion Rings

Tasty Mozzarella Onion Rings

As seen in Small Bites, Big Flavors.

These onion rings have a crispy outside and a melty cheese center. They're a fun snack for hanging out with friends or when you get the munchies. Each ring gets dipped in seasoned flour, then covered with a smooth batter, and finally rolled in crunchy Panko. A quick deep fry gives you that golden crunch on the outside with the gooey cheese inside. Just grab your favorite marinara and dive in—hot is definitely best!

Save to Pinterest Post Online Share with Friends Print Recipe Skip to Recipe
Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:44:38 GMT
Piled fried onion rings with gooey cheese. Save Pin
Piled fried onion rings with gooey cheese. | foodthingle.com

Extra crispy and totally gooey, these mozzarella-stuffed onion rings are the party treat I always make when I want to wow my pals. Double dipping gives them that amazing outer crunch, and that cheesy center is totally irresistible. They’re always gone way too fast.

I whipped these up last minute for a friend’s birthday and folks ate every single one before we even started dessert. They always fill the kitchen with excitement whenever they hit the oil.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Toothpicks: stab these into your stuffed rings to keep the cheesy filling from escaping
  • Cooking oil: grab a neutral oil like canola or vegetable, so it can handle the hot temps needed for frying
  • Fine salt: sprinkle a bit for flavor at every step
  • Milk: helps blend your batter and keeps it rich, I like whole milk best
  • Egg: with milk, it binds the batter and adds a little fluffiness — use fresh if you can
  • Baking powder: makes the coating nice and light when fried
  • All-purpose flour: the base for the coating, aim for fresh with no clumps
  • Panko bread crumbs: swap regular for panko as it brings lots of crunch and airiness
  • Mozzarella cheese sticks: use whole milk ones for extra melty, stretchy centers
  • Large onion: go for firm and hefty onions, thick slices work best for stuffing

Mouthwatering Instructions

Serve and Dig In:
Take out those toothpicks once they’re cool enough to grab. Stack them on your favorite plate. Dip them in warm marinara or whatever sauce you love. Enjoy all those cheesy pulls.
Deep-Fry Your Rings:
Fire up your oil in a deep pan to 350 degrees. Carefully drop in the rings. Flip so both sides get golden and crunchy. When they’re browned all over, drain them on a plate lined with paper towels.
Batter and Bread:
Dunk each stuffed onion ring into the batter so it gets an even coat. Let the drips fall off then roll it around in panko until covered on every side. Rest them on a wire rack briefly.
Mix Up Wet Batter:
Beat together the milk and egg in a separate bowl, then pour them into your dry leftovers. Keep stirring until the mix goes totally smooth—no clumps left. Smoother batter makes crunchier rings.
Whip Up Dry Coating:
Throw flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl together and give it a real good mix. Dredge your prepped rings so they’re just dusted and set them aside, ready for the next step.
Stuff and Secure:
Grab a fat onion ring and cozy a little one inside it. Fit your mozzarella stick into the gap. Stick in a toothpick to hold it all tight—that keeps the cheese locked in when hot oil hits.
A piece of food with cheese on it. Save Pin
A piece of food with cheese on it. | foodthingle.com

The mozzarella is a must for me—it melts just right and stretches like magic. The look on my niece’s face the first time she bit in and found gooey cheese? Priceless.

Leftover Tips

Let any leftovers cool down before popping them in a sealed container. Keep them chilled for up to two days. To get the crunch back, reheat them in the oven or air fryer. The microwave will just make the crust soft, so skip it if you want that snap.

Replacement Ideas

Switch up the cheese and try provolone or pepper jack for a different kick. For a gluten free version grab gluten-free flour and panko. Want a milder bite? Go for sweet Vidalia onions instead of the usual yellow ones.

Ways to Serve

These gems bring any snack spread to life—dip them in ranch or warm marinara. Stack them for a showstopper at your next get-together. You can even toss a few next to burgers or a crisp green salad for a full meal.

Some Background

Onion rings got their start in America almost a hundred years ago. Adding mozzarella is a cheesy Italian-American twist that makes these classic rings even better with every bite.

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do I keep the cheese from leaking out while frying?

Stick the mozzarella snug between two onion slices and use some toothpicks to help keep them together. Be sure to really seal 'em up well with batter and breadcrumbs—the double dip keeps cheese where it should be.

→ Can I make these in advance?

You can totally prep the rings early and stash them in the fridge. Fry them up right before eating so you keep that crunch.

→ What is the best oil temperature for frying?

Go for 350°F (175°C) when you’re frying these. That way, they get golden fast, not soggy or oily.

→ Can I bake instead of fry?

Bake at a high heat, like 425°F. Just know that baked rings won't have that mega-crisp you get from frying, but they'll still be good.

→ Are these vegetarian-friendly?

Yep! As long as your mozzarella's got vegetarian-friendly rennet, these are fine for vegetarians.

Mozzarella Onion Rings

Golden onion rings oozing with mozzarella inside. These are awesome for parties or when you just want some cheesy veggie snack goodness.

Preparation Time
15 Minutes
Cooking Time
7 Minutes
Overall Time
22 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Appetizers & Snacks

Skill Level: Moderate

Regional Style: American

Output: 4 Number of Servings (8 stuffed onion rings)

Special Diets: Meat-Free

What You'll Need

→ Main Components

01 Toothpicks for holding things together
02 2 cups oil for frying
03 1 cup Panko-style bread crumbs
04 1 beaten egg, large
05 1 cup milk
06 8 sticks of mozzarella
07 1 big onion, sliced into thick circles

→ Dry Ingredients

08 1 teaspoon salt (fine)
09 1 teaspoon baking powder
10 1 cup regular flour

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Pull out the toothpicks carefully from every onion ring. Enjoy them warm with some marinara for dipping if you like.

Step 02

Warm your oil in a deep pot till it hits 350°F (about 175°C). Gently slide the breaded onion rings in with a slotted spoon or tongs. Let them fry, flipping once, for around 3–4 minutes until they're crispy and brown. Grab them out and drain them on a paper towel.

Step 03

Now dunk those floured onion rings in your batter, letting the extra drip off. Roll each one in the Panko crumbs so they're totally covered. Put them back on the rack.

Step 04

In a new bowl, mix the egg with milk. Slowly add the leftover seasoned flour while stirring so you get a lump-free, smooth batter.

Step 05

Roll each stuffed onion ring in your flour blend so it's coated everywhere. Place them on a wire rack until the next part.

Step 06

Toss your flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir it up so everything's mixed well.

Step 07

Find two onion rings, with one ring fitting neatly inside the other. Stick a cheese stick you've cut lengthwise into the gap between. Use a toothpick to keep it all tucked together.

Additional Tips

  1. Stick the cheese between the onion circles with toothpicks so it doesn't ooze out in the oil.
  2. Going through flour first, then batter, then Panko makes them super crunchy.
  3. Eat the onion rings while they're hot for the crispiest bite and best flavor.

Essential Tools

  • Deep pot for oil
  • Mixing bowls
  • Slotted spoon or tongs
  • Wire rack
  • Toothpicks

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy (milk, mozzarella sticks)
  • Has eggs
  • Has gluten (flour, Panko bread crumbs)