National Onion Ring Day
National Onion Ring Day is observed every year on June 22, to celebrate one of the most flavorful, crunchiest fried snacks.
Whether you like them beer-battered, extra crunchy, or perfectly seasoned, there's no denying their satisfying crunch and savory goodness.
The Origin of National Onion Ring Day
National Onion Ring Day has quite an interesting story behind it. Founded by Jeremy Kolb in 2006, the idea came to him due to his crush on a coworker at a camp for differently abled individuals.
On the last day of the camp, everyone was served onion rings and he, proposed to her with an onion ring as a joke.
They decided they would get married on “National Onion Ring Day,” but when Kolb searched online, he discovered that no such holiday existed.
Determined to change that, he established National Onion Ring Day on June 22 simply because he liked the number 22 and thought June was a great month.
He also founded the National Onion Ring Day Association and created a now-defunct wiki article to support it.
Over time, the holiday gained traction online, growing in public recognition and on social media.
The History of Onion Rings
It is said that onion rings have been around for centuries and the crispy, golden goodness has made them the popular snack they are today.
The first ever recorded recipe was found in 1802 when it was published in an edition of The Art of Cookery Made Easy and Refined by John Mollard, a British food writer.
His recipe included sliced onions, dipping them in a batter with Parmesan cheese, and deep-frying them in lard.
He even suggested serving them with a rich sauce made of melted butter and mustard.
While Mollard’s version was the first recorded, deep-fried onion slices started appearing in more recipes during the early 1900s.
Over the years, different methods were used to make onion rings, including cooking them without any coating (1902 and 1907), dipping them in milk or egg before coating with flour (1902–1916), and covering them in batter before frying (1919 and 1922).
How to Celebrate National Onion Ring Day
Celebrate National Onion Ring Day by making your own crispy onion rings at home using a simple batter of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Get creative by experimenting with different variations, such as a light tempura batter or a spicy seasoning mix for an extra kick.
Make the day even more fun by hosting a tasting party with friends and family, pairing your onion rings with a variety of dips like ranch, aioli, or BBQ sauce.
If you’d rather indulge without the effort, visit a local restaurant and enjoy their best onion rings while supporting your favorite diner or fast-food joint.
Don’t forget to share your crispy creations on social media using #NationalOnionRingDay!
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