Amish Onion Fritters

Amish onion fritters are one of those simple little recipes that taste way more impressive than the ingredients make you expect. Thinly chopped onions are mixed into a light, fluffy batter and fried until crispy and golden on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside. They’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, or easy side dish with burgers, grilled meats, or soups. The batter comes together in just a few minutes with pantry staples, so you can whip them up whenever the craving hits. Serve them hot with sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce and watch them disappear fast.

Ingredients

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2 cups chopped onions
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Oil for frying

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, milk, chopped onions, salt, and pepper; stir until well combined into a thick batter.
2. Pour ½–1 inch of oil into a deep-sided skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
3. When the oil reaches about 350°F (or a test drop of batter sizzles and rises to the top), drop batter by tablespoonfuls into the hot oil, gently spreading each fritter out a bit.
4. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown, then flip and brown the other side, about 2–3 minutes per side.
5. Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel–lined rack.
6. Season lightly with extra salt if desired and serve warm with sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 220 kcal | Servings: 4

Tips

For the best texture, chop the onions fairly small so they cook through quickly and mix evenly into the batter, and don’t make the batter too thin or the fritters will spread and get greasy.

Keep the cooked fritters on a wire rack (not stacked) so they stay crisp, and if you’re making a big batch, hold them in a warm oven (around 200°F) until serving; leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to revive their crunch.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of onion?
Yes, yellow, white, or sweet onions all work well; sweet onions will give a milder, sweeter flavor.

Do I have to use cornmeal?
Cornmeal adds a nice crunch and flavor, but you can leave it out and replace it with more flour if needed.

Can I bake these instead of frying?
They’re best fried for that classic fritter texture, but you can spoon the batter onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 400°F until golden, flipping once.

How do I know the oil is hot enough?
If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small bit of batter into the oil; it should sizzle immediately and float to the top within a few seconds.

What sauces go well with onion fritters?
Sour cream, ranch, chipotle mayo, spicy ketchup, or a garlic-yogurt dip all pair really well.