Crispy Onion Chips – Copycat Viral TikTok Recipe
Mar 19, 2025, Updated Mar 26, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Have you seen the viral 2-Ingredient Crispy Onion Chip recipe created by @hungryhappens? We couldn’t resist recreating them because they simply look amazing!
And let’s be honest, who can resist the siren call of a perfectly crispy onion chip? That sweet, savory crunch, the delicate balance of caramelized onion and satisfying crispness – it’s a culinary masterpiece in its simplest form.
We love finding new ways to get fresh produce to the table, and we think this recipe will do just that. Whether you’re topping a burger, adding a textural element to a salad, or simply snacking straight from the bowl, crispy onion chips are .
The biggest challenge with these crispy onion chips is making sure not to eat the entire plate!
Let’s dive in…
What Are Onion Chips?
Onion chips are thinly sliced onions (in rings) and cheese baked together to create a crispy and flavorful snack. While baking, the onions caramelize and form with the cheese to create a crunch that is reminiscent of a traditional chip.
Have you experienced parmesan crisps? If you love them like we do, then you will love the added flavor of the onions because it adds a natural sweetness to every bite.
Ingredients for Crispy Onion Chips
White Onion
White onions, with their crisp, bright white skin and flesh, are a culinary staple valued for their mild and slightly sweet flavor. They tend to have a less pungent taste, making them ideal for both raw preparations and baking.
The key to crispy onion chips is even, thin slicing. A mandoline slicer is your best friend here, ensuring consistent thickness. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife and a steady hand will do the trick. Not confident with cutting an onion? We have you covered in our Guide on How to Cut an Onion.
Produce Moms’ Tip
Thoroughly pat the onions dry with paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Essentially, Parmesan cheese brings a harmonious blend of savory, salty, and nutty notes that enhance the overall taste and texture of crispy onion chips. Parmesan cheese adds a depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of caramelized onions, creating a more complex and satisfying snack. Plus, the dry, finely grated parmesan can contribute to the overall crispness of the chips. As the cheese melts and crisps during baking, it adds a delicate, crunchy texture.
Olive Oil
Baking onions with olive oil creates a wonderfully caramelized and tender result. The olive oil, with its fruity notes, coats the onion rings allowing them to slowly soften and sweeten in the oven’s heat. As the onions bake, the olive oil also helps conduct the heat evenly, preventing burning and promoting a rich, golden-brown color. The gentle roasting process coaxes out the natural sugars in the onions, transforming their sharp flavor into a mellow sweetness.
Seasonings
For our seasoning mixture, we used salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika. However, we have some other fun variations below that may be more your style.
Variations
- Pizza Onion Chips: Use some Italian seasoning and dip in marinara sauce. For added spice, top with red pepper flakes.
- Mediterranean: Use a spice mixture of dried oregano, dried ill, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt & pepper. Top with some lemon zest and dip in tzatziki sauce.
- BBQ: Use a BBQ spice blend and dip in BBQ sauce.
- Cajun: Use a cajun spice blend dip in a Cajun dipping sauce.
- Tex-Mex: Use taco seasoning and dip in guacamole or salsa.
How to Make Crispy Onion Chips
First, preheat the oven to 400℉, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, sprinkle the baking sheet with an even layer of parmesan cheese.
Next, place the onion ring slices side by side (but not overlapping).
Brush the tops of onion rings with olive oil, and season the tops with salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika.
Bake for 20 minutes (depending on the thickness of your onions) or until golden brown. Broil if needed at the end to get them extra crispy.
Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Break apart and serve with your dip of choice. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make Onion Chips In Air Fryer?
An air fryer is another great option for a healthier version of crispy onion chips. Toss the sliced onions in a small amount of olive oil and seasoning. Top with parmesan cheese. Cook them at 375°F until golden brown and crispy (approximately 15 minutes).
Can I Use a Different Type of Onion?
The type of onion you choose plays a crucial role in the final product. You could also use yellow or Vidalia onions (when they are in season). Both are generally sweet and relatively low in water content. Red onions can also be used, but their stronger flavor may overpower other elements of the onion chips.
Related: Guide to Onions
Can I Use a Different Cheese?
While Parmesan is the most prominent, other cheeses could potentially be used. However, they may not create the same texture. For example, a sharp cheddar would add a strong flavor, but may not crisp up in the same way.
More Viral Recipes We Love
- Feta Pasta
- Potato Waffles from Frozen French Fries
- French Onion Mac & Cheese
- Deviled Strawberries
- Potato Flight
- Ice Cream Bread
Crispy Onion Chips
Ingredients
- 1 large white onion sliced into quarter-inch rings
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle the parmesean cheese in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Next, place the onion ring slices side by side (but not overlapping).
- Brush the tops of onion rings with olive oil, and season the tops with salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika.
- Bake for 20 minutes (depending on the thickness of your onions) or until golden brown. Broil if needed at the end to get them extra crispy.
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes
- Break apart and serve with your dip of choice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.