Today is a snow day! I’m always a huge fan of snowstorms, especially when it allows me to stay home and cook new recipes in between meetings. However, today my pantry was a bit empty, and my workday was a bit busier than anticipated so I haven’t had a whole lot of time.  Still fun, though!

I woke up this AM and did some yoga since I had some extra time with not getting very far after trying to drive to work. I had a little motivation since I got a nice new YogiToes yoga towel for Christmas, but I forgot how much better you feel after doing some nice stretches and sequences. I need to make it a habit to fit more of that into my weekly routine.

On a more upbeat note, who loves bar food? I do. I love going somewhere and getting nachos. I love fries (potatoes, obvi), I love chicken tenders, and I love onion rings. Unfortunately and fortunately, I don’t really eat any of it anymore. While I treat myself to some French fries every now and again, what I really miss is onion rings. Battered, delicious, stinky…. They’re the best. And yet…. i’d feel like crap after I ate them. Tons of breading, crappy oil, weird onions… so imagine my surprise when I figured out how to make some crispy crunchy un-yun ranggss?

These are delicious plain, or with some sriracha mayo (homemade recipe for some paleo mayo here!). make them for a snack, or for a party. Enjoy!

Crispy Crunchy Onion Rings (Paleo, Vegan)

prep time: 10 minutes

cook time: 20 minutes

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

• one large white onion, cut into 1/2 inch thick rings
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour
• 2 tbsp tapioca or potato starch
• 1/3 cup almond meal
• 1 heaping tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 pinch of paprika
• ~2 tsp grapeseed oil, for brushing

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, whisk your tapioca starch and almond milk together. Set aside.
3. In a larger bowl, mix brown rice flour, almond meal, nutritional yeast, salt and spices until completely combined.
4. Take your first onion ring, submerge into the milk, and then place into the breading, making sure the onion is evenly coated. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Note: If you want them to have that shimmery look like they’re right out of the fryer (even though you took the healthy route :)), brush with a pinch of oil right when you remove from the oven.

Serve, and enjoy!

-S