National Onion Ring Day – Jun. 22, 2027

Submit your updates or photos
Categories:
Tags:
American foodFast FoodVegetable
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every June 22
Holiday emoji:
🧅

National Onion Ring Day arrives every June 22, inviting everyone to indulge in the irresistible crunch of this deep-fried favorite. Whether you prefer them thick-cut or thinly sliced, battered or breaded, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a side of golden goodness. Grab some rings, try a new recipe, or visit your favorite spot for a delicious treat!

Want to sponsor National Onion Ring Day? Learn how

Expected National Onion Ring Day Deals

As National Onion Ring Day approaches, expect many fast-food chains and casual dining restaurants to roll out irresistible promotions. In previous years, brands like Burger King, Arby’s, and Sonic Drive-In have offered discounts or free sides of their famous onion rings with purchase. Keep an eye on local diners and independent burger joints, as they often feature special onion ring platters or unique dipping sauces. A&W Restaurants, known for popularizing onion rings, is a strong contender for deals, while Dairy Queen and Carl’s Jr. might also join the festivities. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 22 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Onion Ring Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalOnionRingDay. Share your ultimate onion ring mukbang or a DIY recipe video.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #OnionRingDay. Post mouth-watering photos of your favorite onion rings and creative dipping sauces.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalOnionRingDay. Tweet about your go-to onion ring spot or debate the best batter.

Social Media Tips for National Onion Ring Day

Individuals

Treat yourself to a serving of onion rings from your favorite restaurant, or try making a batch at home. Experiment with different seasonings and dipping sauces to find your perfect match.

Creators

Film a 'taste test' video reviewing onion rings from various fast-food chains or local diners. Create a tutorial for gourmet homemade onion rings, or showcase unique sauce pairings.

Brands

Restaurants can offer special onion ring deals or limited-time menu items. Food brands can launch a contest for the most creative onion ring recipe using their products, encouraging user-generated content.

Top Brands for National Onion Ring Day

  1. A&W Restaurants

    Founded in 1919 by Roy W. Allen, A&W is known for its root beer and classic American fare. The chain is widely credited with popularizing onion rings in the United States, making them a staple side dish.

  2. Burger King

    Established in 1954 in Jacksonville, Florida, Burger King is one of the largest fast-food hamburger chains globally. Their crispy, golden onion rings are a popular alternative to french fries and often featured in meal deals.

  3. Arby's

    Founded in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio, Arby's specializes in roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. Their unique, seasoned onion rings are a beloved menu item, offering a distinct flavor profile.

  4. Sonic Drive-In

    Originating in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Sonic is known for its drive-in concept and extensive menu. Their thick-cut, crispy onion rings are a fan favorite, often enjoyed with their signature dipping sauces.

  5. Texas Roadhouse

    Founded in 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana, Texas Roadhouse is a popular steakhouse chain. They are famous for their 'Cactus Blossom,' a large, deep-fried onion appetizer served with a spicy dipping sauce, a spin on the classic onion ring.

  6. Funyuns

    Introduced by Frito-Lay in 1969, Funyuns are onion-flavored corn snacks shaped like onion rings. They offer a distinct, savory taste and crunchy texture, providing a convenient way to enjoy the onion ring flavor.

  7. McCain Foods

    Founded in 1957 in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada, McCain Foods is one of the world's largest manufacturers of frozen potato products and appetizers. They supply many restaurants and grocery stores with their popular frozen onion rings.

National Onion Ring Day Hero

Kirby's Pig Stand

Kirby's Pig Stand, established in 1921 in Dallas, Texas, was one of America's first drive-in restaurants. While the exact origin of onion rings is debated, Kirby's Pig Stand is often cited as a key player in their early popularization, serving them to a wide audience and contributing to their widespread appeal across the nation.

National Onion Ring Day timeline

1802
Earliest Recipe

John Mollard writes a recipe for ‘Fried Onions with Parmesan Cheese’ in his cookbook “The Art of Cookery Made Easy and Refined.”

1920s
Get ’Em While They’re Hot!

A restaurant chain in Texas named Kirby’s Pig Stand starts serving onion rings.

1933
Americans are Blessed

Americans are introduced to onion rings.

1960s
Onion Rings Soar to Popularity

Onion rings become popular when added to menus of A&W Restaurants.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Onion Ring Day

Local restaurants and diners can celebrate National Onion Ring Day by offering special deals, such as a free side of onion rings with any burger purchase or a discounted ‘onion ring tower.’ Food trucks could feature unique, gourmet onion ring creations with specialty dipping sauces. Grocery stores might highlight frozen onion ring brands with promotions, encouraging at-home celebrations. Even bars could offer onion ring appetizers as a popular snack to pair with beverages.

National Onion Ring Day FAQs

When is National Onion Ring Day?

In 2027, National Onion Ring Day is celebrated on Tuesday, June 22, offering a mid-week treat for fans of this classic deep-fried delight.

How many onion rings do Americans eat?

Americans consume an estimated 20 billion servings of onion rings each year, making them a significant part of the nation’s snack and appetizer landscape. Their popularity continues to hold steady alongside french fries.

What's the difference between onion rings and a blooming onion?

A blooming onion is a specific preparation where a large onion is carved and fried to open up like a flower, served with a dipping sauce. Onion rings are generally individual, circular slices of onion, each coated and fried separately, often served as a side dish or appetizer.

Who invented the onion ring?

There’s no single inventor definitively credited, but an early recipe for ‘fried onions with Parmesan cheese’ appeared in an 1802 cookbook. Later, fast-food chains like A&W and Kirby’s Pig Stand played a crucial role in bringing onion rings to widespread public attention.

National Onion Ring Day Activities

  1. Make some yourself

    Why not try making some onion rings in your own kitchen? You can try a classic fried recipe or you can try out a baked version of the snack. There are thousands of great onion ring recipes throughout the internet, so if these preparation styles aren’t your favorite, there’s certainly a recipe out there that’s perfect for you. You may even want to find one the old-fashioned way: in a cookbook!

  2. Head out for a meal

    Pay a visit to your favorite local restaurant with friends and order a massive serving of onion rings. You can split them, or each order your own basket. (It's a holiday, so naturally, you're entitled to eat as many as you want.) They’re often served as a side, but today, feel free to make onion rings the main event of your meal. Yum!

  3. Try some other fried treats

    Branch out by also snacking on fried Oreos, french fries, fried brie, fried chicken, and any other fried treats that you’re craving. This holiday is the one day when more grease is better! Eat up!

Why We Love National Onion Ring Day

  1. They are the ultimate fast food

    Onion rings have become an important part of fast food culture. Sure, they're not as ubiquitous ad French fries, but that just makes them even more special. They're a hallmark of American culture, there’s nothing more American than kicking back with a burger and some onion rings and soda, especially when you’re in the company of friends.

  2. They encourage culinary innovation

    Before onion rings were created, who could have imagined that a food known for its bitterness could be so sweet and tasty? When a new food takes off like wildfire, it inspires more culinary creativity. Onion rings’ widespread success was an early precursor to modern food trends, like cronuts and rainbow bagels.

  3. They inspire home cooks everywhere to whip out their deep friers

    There are hundreds of recipes for preparing onion rings at home, and several hundred spin-off recipes that put a new twist on the traditional favorite. Deep friers are a kitchen appliance that are usually relegated to the back cabinet, but when an onion ring craving leads to an impromptu fry session, they get their time to shine.

National Onion Ring Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 June 22 Tuesday
2028 June 22 Thursday
2029 June 22 Friday
2030 June 22 Saturday
2031 June 22 Sunday