Instructions

• Peel the onion and slice into large rings; separate the rings and place them on a plate.
• Prepare a breading station with three shallow dishes: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour in the first, 1 large egg beaten in the second, and 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs in the third.
• Working one ring at a time, dredge each ring in the flour (shake off excess), dip in the beaten egg to coat, then press into the Panko so the crumbs adhere. Place the breaded rings on a clean plate while you finish coating the rest.
• Pour 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil into a medium saucepan and heat over medium until the oil reaches 350°F (use a thermometer).
• Fry a few onion rings at a time (do not overcrowd) until golden brown on one side, flip, and cook until golden brown on the other side—about 1–2 minutes per side.
• Transfer fried rings to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
• In a shallow dish, whisk together the 4 tablespoons melted butter and 1/4 cup hot sauce until combined.
• Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Dip each fried onion ring into the buffalo sauce to coat, then place the coated rings on the cooling rack (allow excess sauce to drip onto the baking sheet).
• Bake the sauced onion rings in the preheated 400°F oven for 5–7 minutes to crisp. Remove from the oven and serve.