Vidalia® Onion Straws (Onion Strings)

Ingredients

• 2 cups buttermilk 
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal 
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 1 tablespoon ground pepper black
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika 
• 1 tablespoon salt 
• 2 large onions sweet separated very thinly sliced vidalia® such as
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying or as needed

Equipment

• bowl
• paper towels
• sauce pan
• whisk
• plastic wrap
• slotted spoon

Directions

1. Pour buttermilk into a bowl.
2. Place onion slices into buttermilk, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Whisk flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika together in a bowl. Working in batches, remove onions from buttermilk, letting any excess liquid drip off, place onions in flour mixture and toss to coat. Shake any excess flour mixture off onions.
5. Cook onion rings in the preheated oil until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Transfer rings with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.