What Can I Substitute for French Fried Onions in Green Bean Casserole?
Green bean casserole is a classic dish that many of us enjoy during holiday gatherings or as a comforting side dish. One of the key ingredients in this recipe is French fried onions, which add a crispy and flavorful topping to the casserole. However, if you don’t have French fried onions on hand or simply want to try something different, there are several alternatives you can use to achieve a similar result.
1. Homemade Onion Topping: You can create your own crispy onion topping by thinly slicing onions and coating them in a mixture of flour, salt, and your choice of spices. Fry them in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. This homemade version will give your green bean casserole a fresh and delicious twist.
2. Bread Crumbs: Another option is to use breadcrumbs as a substitute for French fried onions. Toasted bread crumbs will add a crunchy texture to your casserole. You can enhance the flavor by mixing them with melted butter and your preferred seasonings.
3. Panko Crumbs: Panko crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs that are coarser and crispier than regular breadcrumbs. They can be a great alternative to French fried onions, providing a light and crispy texture to your green bean casserole.
4. Crushed Potato Chips or Crackers: For a unique twist, you can crush potato chips or crackers and sprinkle them over the casserole. This will add a salty and crunchy element that complements the creamy green beans.
Remember, the key is to experiment and find the substitution that suits your taste preferences. Whether you choose to make your own onion topping, use breadcrumbs, panko crumbs, or crushed chips/crackers, your green bean casserole will still be delicious and satisfying.
Lonergan suggests:
- Butter + Ritz cracker crumbs
- Coarsely crushed potato chips
- Butter + Corn Flakes cereal crumbs
- Butter + Panko breadcrumbs with a dash of added garlic powder and/or onion powder to taste
“These options still provide that rich, buttery taste and crunchy texture we love so much in the fried onions,” Lonergan says.
or grab something from the fridge
Lauren Allen, the owner and creator of recipe website Tastes Better From Scratch and an Amazon best-selling cookbook by the same name, suggests using the challenge of finding a French fried onion swap as a way to clear room in the fridge for leftovers.
“Sauteed diced onions will give onion flavor but not the crunch of fried onions,” Allen says. “Just saute chopped onions in butter or oil until softened and lightly browned.”
For meat-loving families, go for bacon, which makes everything better.
“Crumbled cooked bacon adds crunch, saltiness and a smoky flavor that complements the dish well,” Allen says.
Green bean casserole, saved.