The Best (and Worst) Store-Bought Onion Rings, Ranked

It's hard for an onion ring to be flat-out bad, but let's just say these bad boys don't live up to Red Robin's in-restaurant standards. The packaged version has a fishy and almost chemical odor that makes you wary of taking even a small nibble. If you've got another onion-ring option, definitely go with that. If you're up for trying them, Red Robin Crispy Onion Rings are available at Walmart for $3 a bag.

As the brand suggests, these frozen snacks are a good . . . value (sorry). Not out of this world and not terrible, these average yet somewhat bland onion rings will give you your money's worth, but they won't knock your socks off. Grab a bag of Great Value Onion Rings to try for yourself at Walmart.

If you're at Whole Foods and have a craving for onion rings, this medium-thick variety will do the trick. Otherwise, the 365 Everyday Value Onion Rings are decent, but not worth the trip.

These huge onion rings, made from Vidalia sweet onions, are big on size and big on batter — a bit too big. While some might appreciate a little extra coating, these rings tend to come out doughier and soggier than the ideal O-ring, though they do have a solid taste. You can try broiling them for a bit at the end of their cook time to get some more of that satisfying crisp, or throw them in an air fryer.

Brew City takes ultra thick slices of onion and batters them in real American pale ale, resulting in a smooth breading that resembles that of fish and chips. If you like your onion rings a bit softer on the outside, these won't disappoint.

While many frozen onion rings fall short on flavor, Target's version is anything but bland. The seasoned panko breading is delicious and crispy, as promised. Grab a bag of Market Pantry Crispy Onion Rings on your next Target run to try them out.

Ore-Ida rings shine in the texture department. The onion is exceptionally juicy, while the coating is precisely crisp. Serve these alongside homemade burgers at your next dinner party, and your guests will be begging for the "recipe."

Famous for their hot dogs, Nathan's also knows how to do onion rings right. The onions are cut to a perfect thickness, and the ratio of batter to veggie is impeccable. Tasty baked or deep-fried, these are just about as close to homemade as frozen onion rings can get.

These Panko-breaded onion rings won a ChefsBest award for taste, and it's no secret why: they're addictively light and never greasy or oversalted. The sweetness of the onion balances perfectly with the flavor of sea salt. Grab a bag at your local supermarket or Target to give them a whirl.