Ingredients:
- 2 large onions (yellow or white), sliced into rings
- 2-3 cups pork rinds, crushed into fine crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- Lard, tallow, or avocado oil (for frying)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Onion Rings
- Peel the onions and slice them into thick rings (about ½ inch thick). Separate the rings carefully and set them aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Pork Rind Coating
- Place the pork rinds in a food processor and pulse until they form fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place the pork rinds in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the pork rind crumbs with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using).
Step 3: Prepare the Egg Wash
- In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until well beaten.
Step 4: Coat the Onion Rings
- Dip each onion ring into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Then, coat the onion ring with the pork rind mixture, pressing gently to help the crumbs stick. Repeat for all onion rings.
Step 5: Fry the Onion Rings
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add enough lard, tallow, or avocado oil to fry the onion rings (about ½ inch deep).
- Once the oil is hot (about 350°F/175°C), fry the onion rings in batches. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion rings from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve the carnivore onion rings hot, with a side of your favorite dipping sauce like mayo, sugar-free ketchup, or cheese sauce.
Tips:
- Pork Rind Flavor: Use flavored pork rinds like BBQ or spicy if you want to add more flavor to the onion rings.
- Baking Option: For a healthier option, you can bake the onion rings at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and golden.
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 4 servings):
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~4g
- Protein: ~12g
- Fat: ~18g
- Fiber: ~1g
These Carnivore Onion Rings are a crunchy and satisfying side dish or snack that’s entirely grain-free and packed with flavor. They’re perfect for those sticking to a strict carnivore or low-carb diet!