Recipe: Spicy Oven-Fried Onion Rings (using buttermilk and dry bread crumbs)

SPICY OVEN-FRIED ONION RINGS

3 cups fat-free or low-fat buttermilk
2 to 3 large sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Texas Sweet, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices and separated into rings
For the Spice mixture:
2 cups dry unseasoned bread crumbs
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder

Place the buttermilk and onion rings in a large, sealable plastic bag. Press out as much air as possible. Seal and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

WHEN READY TO COOK:
Place the oven rack in the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray several jelly-roll pans or baking sheets with nonstick vegetable oil spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together all the spice mixture ingredients.

Remove the onion rings, one at a time, from the bag and coat with the spice mixture. Lay each ring on the prepared pan, making sure they do not touch. Lightly spray the rings with the nonstick vegetable oil spray (regular or butter-flavored).

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until brown and crispy. Serve immediately.

Makes 40 to 50 onion rings, depending on the size of the onions;
Adapted from source: A Guy's Guide to Great Eating by Don Mauer