Battle of the Sides: Onion Rings vs. Fries
What are your go-to sides while eating burgers? Are you team fries or onion rings? This debate started over two centuries ago, intensifying as time passes. These two have been on countless plates, elevating meals, and satisfying many cravings. Everyone has an interesting take on either of them for the flavor and texture they bring.
To decide on which is superior, we shall look at the history, differences in taste, nutrient profile, preparation and cooking, their pairings, how they bring the best out of the main dish, versatility, and popularity. These classic side dishes are timeless irrespective of the results, remaining delicious and appetizing forever.
Let us find out who wins this battle of onion rings vs. fries!
Texture and Taste: The Key Differences Between Onion Rings and Fries
Crunch Factor: Which Side Offers the Best Bite?
Fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. There are no additional factors that could add crunch to them. Their plain golden fries are iconic for their simplicity. The main (and only) ingredient is the potatoes.
When it comes to onion rings, the batter plays a huge role in bringing the crunch to the dish. The coating brings a more dramatic flavor to every bite with the onions inside. FYI, beer-battered onion rings are the best for their crunch.
Flavor Profile: Salty, Sweet, or Savory?
Plain fries are loved for their salty, savory flavors. But the fries pair well with different numbers of sauces. This allows for the fries to change the way it tastes offering a larger variety of flavors. Cajun Style, Truffle Style, or just the fries with garlic aioli brings the fries to another dimension. Onion rings offer a sweet flavor from the onions inside and savory from the batter. The batter could be altered to make it taste different and indulgent.
Health Considerations: Which Side is the Healthier Choice?
Calorie Count and Fat Content: Which is Better for You?
Regular fries are lower in calories when compared to the simple beer-battered onion rings. But these change with the sauces you choose to go on top of the fries and the dip to go with the onion rings. Their nutritional value also differs based on the preparation method and the type of ingredients used. Choose the ingredients according to your liking, but Russet potatoes and fresh white onions are the best choices.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options: How Do Onion Rings and Fries Compare?
Fries are often vegan-friendly. The sauces you pair them with make all the difference. But for the most part with the different variety of sauces available, there are plenty of vegan options available. But the scenes change when talking about the onion rings. The batter again plays a huge role. Some batter contains dairy or eggs. If we were to eliminate the eggs, they would be a great option for vegetarians but not vegans.
Preparation and Cooking: The Process Behind Both Delights
<Embed this video here: BURGERFI – BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT HOW WE MAKE OUR FRIES!>
The Best Way to Make Fries: Frying and Beyond
Fries can be cooked in various ways. The most common one is deep frying fresh-cut potatoes. Here, the oil temperature and type play a huge role. If the temperature is low, there are chances of the potatoes soaking in the oil. But if the temperature is high, the potatoes will turn golden before the insides are cooked. You might want to start with blanching and fry for two rounds for the best crisp fries.
Batter or No Batter: The Key to Perfect Onion Rings
The batter decides the texture, taste, and crunchiness. Start with the traditional flour-based batters and later move on to the newer creative versions using beer. The frying is almost similar to frying the fries. This process seals the onion’s sweetness and creates a perfect blend of flavors bursting every time you bite.
The Pairing Game: Which Side Pairs Best with Your Main Dish?
The Perfect Side for Your Burger: Onion Rings or Fries?
The perfect side for your burger depends on your mood and occasion. If you want something satiating on the go, the best option would be a BurgerFi Cheeseburger and fries with garlic aioli. This pair brings the best flavors to each other.
BBQ Rodeo Burger and onion rings with ranch make the perfect meal if you are out for a fun dinner. If you want to experience something extraordinary, go for the ultimate bacon cheeseburger with cheesy fries and Coke. This meal will keep you full for an entire day filled with activities.
Best Pairings for Your Bowls and Hotdogs: Fries or Onion Rings?
Onion rings are known for their rich, crunchy texture, which pairs well with everything and adds unique flavor to the meal. Whether you are having the classic original hot dog or something Texas-style with chili and cheese, the onion rings make it so much more satisfying. A grilled chicken bowl with onion rings and Fi sauce makes a brunch that will fill you up after long hours of not eating, making you excited for the day.
The Versatility of Onion Rings vs Fries in Dips and Sauces
Fries and Their Sauce Partners: From Ketchup to Garlic Aioli
Fries are the canvas waiting to be painted with different flavors of sauces. Everything goes well with fries. You can choose ghost honey pepper to experience the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors. The chili and red hot sauce bring the spicy twist while Honey mustard gives a sweet tangy taste and the garlic aioli imparts a pleasantly sharp taste.
Dipping Sauces: The Flavor Boost for Onion Rings
Onion rings are the best with ranch, Memphis sweet BBQ sauce, truffle aioli, and Fi sauce. All these bring the best flavors of the onion rings. You could choose your onion ring dip depending on the main dish to tie everything together. This would make your meal explode with flavors every bite.
Popularity Contest: Which Side is More Loved by the Masses?
The Global Appeal: Fries as the Side of Choice
Fries are universal. According to a YouGov survey, they are the third most popular dish in the US, right behind cheeseburgers. They are mentioned in every menu from local diners to high-profile Michelin-star restaurants. They adapt to every occasion and dish making them a go-to side dish for many. They suit both the vegan and meat sauces, pairing well with most of the dishes. This makes french fries a go-to side dish worldwide.
The Niche Appeal of Onion Rings: A Unique and Savory Treat
Onion rings are not as popular as the fries. These are more of a cult classic with a very niche appeal. But once you go down the onion rings route there is no turning back. The onion rings stand out for their bold flavors and satisfying crunch. The blend of sweet and savory tastes always makes you crave more. They make a great snack if you are going for a full meal.
Why BurgerFi is the Best Place for Onion Rings and Fries
We at BurgerFi have the best burgers. We use the freshest ingredients from the top suppliers to bring out the flavors in our dishes. Quality is the center of everything we do. Our chef-driven menu continues to bring the best taste in all our meals. Everything on our menu is fresh, high-quality, and made with care from never-frozen russet potatoes to high-quality antibiotic-free meat.
BurgerFi’s Signature Fries and Onion Rings: A Perfect Combo
Our signature fries and onion rings make the perfect combinations with our burgers. The fries are made with high-quality fresh Russet potatoes every day. These hand-cut perfections go through a three-step process to achieve a crispy and crunchy texture. Our onion rings made with beer batter and fresh onions are the best. Onion Rings or Fries—Which Reigns Supreme?
The battle between fries and onion rings is never-ending and timeless. The winner depends on your craving and preference. Fries have a universal appeal and are versatile, pairing perfectly with any meal and adapting according to the sauces. Onion rings on the other hand have a sweet-savory flavor with a bold crunch. They are loved by many who like to as a unique snack.
At BurgerFi, you won’t have to choose. Our signature fresh-cut fries and beer-battered onion rings are fried to perfection. You can try our Cry+Fry – both fries and rings – to experience the best of both worlds.
