Ingredients

  • 4 cups buttermilk
  • 2 large Vidalia onions (about 2 pounds), cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, separated into rings
  • Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 3 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

Method

  • Place buttermilk in large bowl.
  • Add onion rings and toss to coat.
  • Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes or up to 1 hour, turning onions occasionally.
  • Pour enough oil into heavy large saucepan to reach depth of 3 inches.
  • Heat to 350F.
  • Mix flour, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne in large bowl.
  • Remove 1 handful of onion rings from buttermilk; add to flour mixture and toss to coat.
  • Add onion rings to oil; cook until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes.
  • Using tongs, transfer to paper towels and drain.
  • Repeat with remaining onion rings in batches.
  • Mound in bowl and serve.