Try these sweet and savory bacon-wrapped onion rings glazed with real maple syrup. They are the perfect combination of salty and sweet that you won't be able to resist.
Want to save this post?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!
These onion rings wrapped in bacon are one of the appetizers I make when I'm craving something sweet and salty. I love the soft, savory bite and the maple glaze that melts into the bacon, which adds a light sweetness instead of a crisp finish. They come together with minimal effort and feel a little different from the usual crispy air fryer appetizer.
They fit easily into a casual meal or snack spread. I've served them alongside things like my air fryer pasta chips and my homemade chicken tenders when I want a mix of textures without overthinking it. Once you make them a couple of times, they're simple to pull together quickly when you want a bite.
Ingredients
The ingredients required to make this dish are pretty simple and easy to find. Here's the full list of items you'll need:
- Onion
- Regular cut bacon
- Salt and pepper
- Maple syrup (for the optional sweet glaze)
Scroll down to the recipe card for the amounts used.
Instructions
The first thing you'll want to do is preheat your air fryer or oven. Then peel the skin off the onion and follow the easy steps below.
Cut the onion into thick slices, about ½ inch thick. Combine the larger rings into sets of 2.
Season each set of onion rings with salt and black pepper.
Carefully tightly wrap each onion ring set with a slice of bacon to cover.
Lightly brush maple syrup on each of the bacon onion rings.
Transfer bacon-wrapped onion rings onto an air fryer tray or small baking tray, then cook.
Remove once bacon turns golden brown or until onion is tender and bacon is done to your liking.
Tips
Here are some cooking tips you need to know before making these.
- Choose a good onion with the right flavor. Sweet onions like Vidalia are recommended for this recipe because they have less pungent taste than regular onions.
- Be careful not to overcook them or the outside can burn. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven or air fryer when the bacon is just starting to brown up.
- Transfer to a paper-lined plate to drain excess fat, if any. An air fryer tray is perforated, so there shouldn't be a need to drain any oil.
Variations
- For a firmer bite that holds its shape, use thicker-cut yellow or sweet onion rings. They soften as they cook but don't collapse as easily as thinner slices.
- If you want a deeper, more savory finish, skip the maple glaze and brush the bacon lightly with a simple garlic or paprika seasoning before cooking. This makes the exterior crispy and more focused on the bacon flavor.
- For a slightly sweeter, more balanced version, keep the maple glaze but apply it toward the end of cooking so it coats the bacon without making it overly soft.
Serving suggestions
These baked or air fryer bacon wrapped onion rings can be served with various dipping sauces as an appetizer or snack. Some popular options include spicy mayo, ranch dressing, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ketchup.
These savory treats can also be served as a side dish to accompany your main course. Pair them with grilled steak, a burger, or panko chicken for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Storage
Smoked bacon wrapped onion rings should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The container can be lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. They can then be stored for up to four days.
The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer or oven. Preheat to 375°F and cook until heated through, about 8 to 12 minutes.
Questions about this recipe
Ask in a comment or use AI to answer based on this specific recipe:
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.
Recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 slices bacon
- 1 large onion we used yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- fresh parsley for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat Air Fryer at 370°F (188°C). Set at 10 minutes. Or preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Slice onions into rings, about ½ inch thick. Combine the larger rings in 2s. I got 8 of the largest rings and made 4 sets of onion rings.
- Season each set of onion rings with salt and black pepper.
- Carefully tightly wrap bacon on each set of onion rings.
- Lightly brush maple syrup on each bacon-wrapped onion rings.
- Gently transfer bacon-wrapped onion rings onto Air Fryer tray (or on a rack in a baking pan) and start cooking.
- After 5 minutes, slowly turn bacon-wrapped onion rings.
- Carefully watch onion rings at this time. Remove once bacon turns golden brown or until onion is tender and bacon is done to your liking.
- Garnish fresh parsley before serving, if using.
Sharina says
This bacon wrapper onion rings recipe is definitely a must-try! They were bursting with flavors that are incredibly satisfying! SO IMPRESSIVE!
Elizabeth S says
These were EPIC! I made them to put on burgers and it was a total hit. Will definitely be making these again. I think it'd taste delicious on pulled pork sandwiches too.
Rebecca says
I'll be honest with you - my husband found this recipe and wanted to make these but I thought they seemed like something I wouldn't like. He went ahead and made them and I couldn't stop eating them. I think I ended up eating more than he did. 🙂 Such a delicious, salty-sweet little snack!
Darcey says
LOVED this one! I ended up buying another thing of bacon to make them again the next day.
Shruthi says
Made this for a housewarming potluck and it was such a hit! Never would've thought to wrap onion rings with bacon, but wow!
Desiree DeSpain says
all looks great, especially the onion rings, I'll make those, 😀