Youll never have to make a quick run to the store the day before Thanksgiving when youve got this easy recipe at your fingertips! SO convenient – and better than store bought.
Easy French Fried Onion Alternatives for Green Bean CasseroleButter + Ritz cracker crumbs.Coarsely crushed potato chips.Butter + Corn Flakes cereal crumbs.Butter + Panko breadcrumbs with a dash of added garlic powder and/or onion powder to taste.
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Butter + Ritz cracker crumbs.
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Coarsely crushed potato chips.
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Butter + Corn Flakes cereal crumbs.
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Butter + Panko breadcrumbs with a dash of added garlic powder and/or onion powder to taste.
Next, heat a couple inches of oil until very hot. You can reuse oil, did you know that? Just strain it and put it in tupperware in the fridge. That way you don’t have to feel like you’re wasting oil every time you need to deep fry something. The oil will get darker with each use so when it gets too dark just toss it.
I use a strainer to pull them out quickly. These are just a shade darker than I prefer but still absolutely wonderful. At this point you can salt them or season them as you like – you don’t want to salt them beforehand, it’s not good for the oil. I have no idea why, but that’s what I was taught when I worked at Burger King a million years ago.
You want to cook them until they are golden brown. The onions are not going to be stiff and crispy when you pull them out of the oil. That happens when you lay them on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Here’s what you do. Slice up your shallots as thinly as you can. I probably have five shallots here. Shallots are the little pinkish-brown ones. They’re exceptionally sweet as onions go. Our grocery store stocks them next to the garlic.
Heat oil until very hot (350-375 degrees) and add in sliced shallots (add in batches if doing more than 4 or 5 so as not to crowd the pan. The oil should sizzle frantically when you put them in. Stir the pan occasionally to make sure the shallots are not sticking together.
OMG these are amazing…5 star rating5 star rating5 star rating5 star rating5 star ratingOMG these are amazing! My husband is a glutard, so I substituted GF flour, and they came out SO much better than any other recipe I’ve tried. THANK YOU!Elena
- better than the original crispy fried onions
- perfect to top casseroles and for salad toppings
- dont do Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without them!
Quick, easy, and money saving!
These are so delicious with that crunch texture we all love – and no worries about the store being sold out during the holidays.
After all, whats green bean casserole without those crispy fried onions on top?
- Tony Chacheres Seasoning is a spicy blend that I add to the flour -theres a link in the recipe or you might like to try my copycat Tony Chacheres seasoning.. You can substitute salt and pepper if you like.
- Peanut Oil is my favorite for frying as long as there are no allergies. Its got a high smoke point and fries clean and crispy. Other oils to use are: safflower, grape seed, or canola.
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below. Click on the to see it full size.
Youll find the instructions for frying, air frying, and baking in the printable card at the bottom of the page.
- Slice white onions very thin and soak in buttermilk about 10 minutes.
- Mix the flour and the seasoning.
- Drain the onions dredge in the flour mixture.
- Let sit for about 5 minutes before frying.
- Heat oil to 375F. Fry a few at a time in hot oil.
- Remove when they are golden brown. They will crisp more as they cool.
Note: I used to have air fryer instructions but I have removed them because the quality is just not there.
Homemade French fried onions can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for a couple of days. Heres how –
- Cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Crisp back up (if needed) in a 375F oven for 5 minutes or so – watch carefully!
Expert Tip: The trick for copycat Frenchs fried onions is to slice the onions super thin and fry them until they are crispy but not burnt.
- Deep frying in oil is the best way to make fried onions. Air fryer and oven methods are ok but not as good as frying.
- Use a large mild onion like a 1015 onion.
- Let them soak in the buttermilk longer if the onions are very strong.
- Drain as much buttermilk as possible off the onions before dredging in the flour.
- If you dont have buttermilk you can use regular milk.
- Use these crispy fried onion strings on top of any casserole the way you would with Durkee or Frenchs.
- Grind them into crumbs and use them to coat the chicken.
- Homemade French fried onions are fabulous on burgers and hot dogs!
- Eat for a snack.
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
They can! Just substitute GF flour for the all-purpose flour. It couldnt be easier! Be sure to double-check any seasonings you add for gluten.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool pantry for a day or two if youve been sure to cook them thoroughly. You may need to crisp them back up for a few minutes in an air fryer or oven.
Yes. Just be sure to drain well and blot off as much oil as possible, let them cool completely, and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Absolutely. Just use oat milk or other plant-based milk with a tablespoon of vinegar per cup.
French’s Classic Green Bean Casserole | We Promise Great Taste
FAQ
Are crispy onions the same as French fried onions?
How do you keep green bean casserole from being soupy?
Why is my green bean casserole soggy?
What are canned French fried onions?
What can I substitute for French fried onions in green bean casserole?
In conclusion, French fried onions are a beloved ingredient in green bean casserole, but there are many alternatives that can be used to achieve a similar taste and texture. Whether you choose to use fresh onions, crispy shallots, or fried leeks, each substitute offers a unique twist to this classic dish.
What are the substitutes for onions?
A small onion is a good replacement for a traditional onion. Other alternatives include pout onions, celery, grated chives, cilantro, garlic powder, garlic, garlic salt, and onion flakes, which is a dehydrated form of onion and has a mild flavor.
What can I use instead of French fried onions?
Add Other Crunchy Toppings in place of the French’s Crispy Fried Onions: Feel free to use butter crackers, panko bread crumbs or crispy fried shallots or crispy onions. Lower Fat: Fat free or low fat soup along with fat free or low fat cheese can be used for this dish. Sodium free canned beans can also be wonderful to bake the casserole.
Can you put onions in a green bean casserole?
Once the onions are ready, sprinkle them over your green bean casserole and enjoy the delicious crunch and flavor they add to the dish! Nuts, seeds, and grains can add a savory crunch to your green bean casserole without the need for French fried onions.