Is comfort food really comforting if it comes with a side of guilt? Why are the foods that are supposed to make you feel better actually terrible for you? It’s time to create healthier versions of the classics. With fewer calories and fat, you’ll have a truly comforting experience with these oil-free, baked vegan onion rings. Instead of a cholesterol-laden egg, you’ll use a flax “egg” made with ground flaxseed and water to give this crispy snack an extra-healthy boost. It’s so easy and incredibly delicious, you won’t miss the deep-fried standard.
Healthy Oven-Baked Onion Rings (Vegan)
Makes 20-30 rings
Ingredients
2/3 cup Japanese-style Panko bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
½ tsp. smoked paprika
1/3 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. garlic powder
1 large yellow onion
2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
½ cup water
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425 F. Grease a large baking pan and set aside.
- Cut onion from the tip into ½ -inch rings.
- In a large bowl, soak rings for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground flaxseed and water.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, paprika, salt and garlic powder.
- Drain onion rings and dip each individually into the flax “egg” and then into the bread crumbs. (Note: the trick is to keep each bowl as clean as possible. The crumbs won’t stick to the onions if they’re too wet.)
- Arrange rings on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Flip and continue to bake for another 8 minutes. (Note: Before removing them from oven, turn it off and let them sit a few minutes more.)