I fell in love with this recipe the moment I tasted those tender, sweet onion rings drenched in melted butter and baked to golden perfection. It’s comfort food at its finest—simple, satisfying, and surprisingly addictive.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I adore serving this dish when I want something cozy that everyone raves about. The natural sweetness of Vidalia onions shines through, balanced by a hint of garlic and plenty of buttery richness. I never miss the deep-fryer these bake up soft in the middle with just enough browning at the edges to make every bite memorable. Whether I’m feeding family or entertaining friends, this side always disappears first.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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3–4 Vidalia sweet onions
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small knobs
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
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Preheat and Prep the Dish
I heat my oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. -
Slice the Onions
I peel each Vidalia onion and slice it crosswise into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Then I gently separate the rounds into individual rings. -
Arrange and Season
I lay the onion rings in a single layer in the prepared dish. I dot the tops with the pieces of butter, then sprinkle evenly with salt and garlic powder. -
Bake Covered
I cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the onions are soft and steaming -
Finish Uncovered
I remove the foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until the edges of the onions are lightly browned and fragrant. -
Serve Hot
I let the casserole rest for a few minutes, then serve straight from the dish for ultimate comfort.
Servings and timing
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Yield: Serves 6 as a side
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 45–55 minutes (including covered and uncovered baking)
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Total Time: About 1 hour
Variations
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Herbed Twist: I toss in ½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano with the garlic powder for a fragrant note.
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Cheesy Upgrade: I sprinkle ½ cup shredded cheddar over the top before the final bake for gooey cheese pulls.
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Spicy Kick: I add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend to turn up the heat.
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Veggie Mix-In: I layer sliced bell peppers or zucchini under the onions for extra color and nutrition.
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Smoky Flavor: I dot the onions with a few drops of liquid smoke before baking to mimic barbecue flavors.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I spread the onions on a baking sheet and warm in a 350 °F oven for about 10 minutes, which restores that baked-buttery goodness without turning them soggy.
FAQs
What type of baking dish works best?
I prefer a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic dish because it heats evenly, but metal pans work fine too.
Can I use a different onion variety?
I always choose Vidalias for their sweetness, but Walla Walla or Maui onions are great substitutes.
Do I need to cover the dish when baking?
Covering traps steam so the onions soften all the way through; uncovering at the end delivers those irresistible browned edges.
How do I prevent the onions from sticking?
I make sure to coat the baking dish well with nonstick spray and distribute the butter pieces evenly.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
I assemble the casserole up to 4 hours in advance, keep it covered in the fridge, then bake just before serving.
Conclusion
I can’t resist how these Tennessee Onions come out soft, sweet, and buttery—truly better than traditional onion rings. They’re effortless to make, endlessly adaptable, and always the star of the table. Next time you crave something cozy and flavorful, give this recipe a try and watch it become a new classic in your home.
Print
Tennessee Onions Better Than Onion Rings!
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Tennessee Onions are tender, sweet onion rings baked in butter and seasoned with garlic, creating a cozy, flavorful side dish that’s even better than traditional onion rings.
Ingredients
3–4 Vidalia sweet onions
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small knobs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Peel onions and slice crosswise into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Separate into individual rings.
- Arrange onion rings in a single layer in the prepared dish.
- Dot with butter pieces and sprinkle evenly with salt and garlic powder.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes until onions are soft and steaming.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until edges are lightly browned and fragrant.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving hot from the dish.
Notes
For an herbed twist, add ½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano with the garlic powder.
For a cheesy upgrade, sprinkle ½ cup shredded cheddar over the onions before the final bake.
Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne for a spicy kick.
Layer sliced bell peppers or zucchini under the onions for extra vegetables.
Dot with liquid smoke before baking for a smoky, barbecue-inspired flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
