Beer-battered Old Bay onion rings with a creamy lemon dipping sauce — an appetizer or side that brings seaside flavor wherever you are.
Old Bay seasoning is practically a regional institution in the mid-Atlantic. Based in Baltimore, the spice has worked its way into unexpected places — from seafood to grocery rotisserie chickens — and it gives dishes a distinctive, savory edge. Inspired by that local obsession, I set out to give onion rings a Mid-Atlantic twist: beer-battered and bright with Old Bay.
On a road trip the idea came up between the Godfather and me: why not Old Bay onion rings? The plan was to pair the seasoning with a local beer to get the batter just right. A nearby stop at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn, VA led me to a French-style farmhouse ale — golden, slightly citrusy, with enough body to make a crisp, flavorful batter. If you can’t find that exact beer, look for a farmhouse-style ale or a light, citrusy golden ale from a local brewery.
The batter turns out light and crispy, with just enough Old Bay to suggest seaside flavors. To balance the fried richness, a zesty creamy lemon dipping sauce adds brightness and tang. The sauce complements seafood-like seasonings and keeps the plate from feeling heavy. It’s versatile, too — we used the leftovers on sandwiches, chicken, and rice bowls.
I fry these in a pan in small batches — about three to four at a time — and keep finished rings warm on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet in an oven warmed to 170°F then turned off. A deep fryer will speed things up, but a single pan takes roughly 25 minutes total for a batch. Make the dipping sauce at least an hour before serving, or up to a day ahead, and refrigerate.
The result is a plate of golden, crunchy onion rings with a hint of Old Bay and a bright, creamy lemon sauce — a snack that tastes like a short trip to the boardwalk.
Enjoy these Old Bay beer-battered onion rings hot, with plenty of the lemon dipping sauce on the side. They’re perfect for summer gatherings or whenever you want a snack that brings bright, seaside flavor to your table.
Old Bay Onion Rings and Lemon Dipping Sauce
6 servings
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
Beer-battered Old Bay onion rings with a creamy lemon dipping sauce — boardwalk flavor you can make at home.
Ingredients
Rings:
- 2 large Vidalia (sweet) onions
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 1/3 cups farmhouse-style ale (see notes)
- 3–4 cups vegetable oil for frying
Creamy Lemon Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Make the sauce: whisk together mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, mustard, honey (or sugar), and salt until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
- Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat over medium.
- Slice onions into 3/4″ rounds and soak in a large bowl of ice water while preparing the batter.
- In a medium bowl combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and Old Bay. Pour in the beer and stir until smooth.
- Remove onions from ice water and pat dry on a clean dish towel.
- Drain the ice water, add fresh ice to the bowl, and set the batter bowl over the ice to keep it cold. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and preheat the oven to 170°F, then turn it off for keeping rings warm.
- Dip each onion ring into the batter, shake off excess, and place in the hot oil. Fry only as many as fit comfortably; about 3–4 at a time in a standard pan.
- Cook about 2 minutes per side, until the batter is light golden and crisp. Transfer to the paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in the turned-off oven. Repeat until all rings are fried.
- Serve immediately with the creamy lemon dipping sauce.
Notes
– The author used Saison D’Ox from Old Ox Brewery. If unavailable, choose a farmhouse-style ale with light citrus notes and a clean finish.
– If you use reduced-sodium Old Bay, you may need to add a pinch of salt to taste.
Did this recipe inspire you?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram.
