Buffalo Rings. Wow! Seriously!? Why didn’t I think of that?? I’m sure that’s what you are saying to yourself right now about my genius appetizer. But the fact is you didn’t think of it. I did. Hah.

Sorry, I’ve had a bit of competitive spirit running through my veins lately. It’s no secret that I love college basketball. March Madness is my favorite time of year! (I reserve the right to say that at least 5 more times this year…) Being in London, we haven’t been able to watch as many games, but last Saturday night Chris and I spent the evening watching the stateside afternoon games, culminating in Duke’s big win over Miami. I was pretty jazzed about the game and Ryan Kelly’s astounding, career-high comeback after injury.

Okay, I was also probably a bit enthusiastic because the game was not on until 11pm here in London, and there were maybe more than a few beers consumed in the meantime. Tipsy Caitlin can be a bit of a rowdy fan.

I know, I know. Enough about basketball, tell us about the incredible apps! Really though, I was just as excited if not more about the amazing snacks I made for the game. The sweet onion, along with the spicy hot sauce and the tangy blue cheese dip, brought together some of my all time favorite bar snack flavors in one bite!!

Don’t fret, I’m done rambling about sports. Back to food. Here we go! Get ready for these awesome, and healthy to boot, Baked Buffalo Rings!

Start by making a breading station with shallow dishes filled with flour, egg, and spicy breadcrumbs.

The key step here is to whip your egg whites to a good foamy froth so that they will adhere to the onion rings. Then add your hot sauce into the egg whites. Now we’re talking! Bring on the heat!

Carefully dredge the onions in to the flour, then the egg mixture, and then coat evenly with the breadcrumbs. Be careful when transferring the onion rings to the baking sheets so you don’t lose any of the coating.

After you bake for about 25 minutes, flipping to crisp evenly, feel free to drizzle with more hot sauce, depending on how spicy you like your rings. But taste one first, they might not look as crazy spicy as hot wings, but they pack a punch!

Serve with homemade blue cheese dip for an incredible, spicy, sweet, salty, and sassy appetizer!!!

Baked Buffalo Rings

Serves 4

For the onion rings:

1 large onion, sliced into ½ inch rounds

¼ cup flour

2 egg whites

¼ cup hot sauce

½ cup plain breadcrumbs

1 tsp salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper

For the dip:

¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

¼ cup sour cream

¼ cup buttermilk

2 scallions, sliced (or 1 tsp Fox Point seasoning)

Additional hot sauce for garnish

Preheat oven to 375˚F.

Separate the onions, so that you have individual rings.

In three shallow dishes, prepare a dredging station for the onions. Fill the first dish with flour. Then, in a second dish, whisk the egg whites until they become frothy. Whisk the hot sauce into the egg whites. In a third dish, mix breadcrumbs with salt and cayenne pepper.

Dredge the onions through each of the dishes, shaking off the excess flour then dipping into the egg mixture, and carefully dredge into the breadcrumbs. Once covered with breadcrumbs, place on a greased baking sheet (you will need two).

After all the onions rings are prepared, place the baking sheets into a preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes then flip the onion rings and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

While the onion rings bake, make the blue cheese dip by mixing together the crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with a few dashes of hot sauce.

Serve the onion rings with the blue cheese dip.