When ordering onion rings from a restaurant it is best to ask the server if animal products are used in the batter. Often restaurants use eggs and/or milk when mixing the batter. Also, as is the case with Outback Steak House’s Blooming Onion, some restaurants use beef fat or other animal fats to fry their foods.

If you are making onion rings at home, here is a vegan recipe that looks good from PETA:

Beer-Battered Onion Rings
1 cup flour
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Egg replacer equivalent of one egg
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 12-oz. beer
3 large sweet onions, sliced into rings
Vegetable oil for frying

• In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Add the egg replacer, oil, and beer and stir until just combined.
• Dip the onion rings into the batter, then drop them into hot vegetable oil (about 365°F).
• Cook until golden and crispy, then remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Makes 9 – 10 servings