These Amish Onion Fritters are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with sweet, caramelized onion flavor. A classic comfort food favorite, these fritters make a delicious appetizer, side dish, or snack. They’re simple to make with basic pantry ingredients and always disappear fast.
Ingredients
For the Onion Fritters
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2 large onions, thinly sliced
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
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2 large eggs, beaten
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½ cup milk
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2–3 tablespoons butter or oil (for sautéing onions)
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Vegetable oil (for frying)
Optional Dipping Sauce
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½ cup sour cream
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2 tablespoons mayonnaise
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1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
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1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1 — Prepare the Onions
Heat 2–3 tablespoons of butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly until soft and fragrant, about 10–12 minutes. Stir occasionally so they caramelize slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Step 2 — Make the Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika if using. In a separate bowl, whisk the beaten eggs and milk together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
Step 3 — Combine
Add the cooled sautéed onions to the batter and fold gently until well coated.
Step 4 — Heat the Oil
Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pan to come about ½ inch up the side. Heat over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 5 — Fry the Fritters
Using a spoon or small scoop, drop portions of the batter into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer finished fritters to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 6 — Serve
Serve the fritters warm on a platter with your favorite dipping sauce.
Optional Dipping Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
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Sour cream
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Mayonnaise
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Mustard
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Honey
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Salt and pepper to taste
Adjust ingredient amounts to your taste preferences. Chill until ready to serve.
Tips for Best Results
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Low and slow browning: Cook onions slowly so they soften and sweeten without burning.
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Oil temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough — if it’s too cool, fritters will absorb oil and become soggy.
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Even sizes: Use a small scoop or spoon to make uniform fritters for even frying.
Serving Suggestions
Onion fritters are delicious with:
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Your favorite dipping sauces
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Burgers or sandwiches
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A side salad
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Soup or chili
Storage
Store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven to keep them crispy.