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Crispy Fried Shallots

Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 28 Jan 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

These crispy fried shallots are a versatile vegan staple that adds a professional touch to any home-cooked meal. By slowly frying thinly sliced shallots in oil, you achieve a delicate crunch and a deep, savoury sweetness that store-bought versions simply cannot match. The golden rings provide the perfect textural contrast to creamy soups, vibrant stir-fries, or even a simple bowl of steamed rice.

Preparing this garnish in advance is a clever way to elevate your midweek dinners with minimal effort. Because the shallots are cooked gradually, the oil becomes beautifully infused with a mild onion flavour, making it a wonderful base for dressings or drizzling over roasted vegetables. These little morsels stay wonderfully crisp for up to five days when stored in an airtight container.

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Ingredients for Crispy Fried Shallots

  • 8 small shallots, peeled

  • Vegetable oil (for frying

  • about 190g )

  • Kosher salt

How to make Crispy Fried Shallots

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Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium heatproof bowl. Thinly slice shallots crosswise into rings on a mandoline (they should be about the thickness of a dime).

Place shallots in a medium saucepan and pour in oil to submerge. Set over medium-low heat and cook, stirring often with a fork to encourage rings to separate, until shallots are golden brown, 20–25 minutes. (Keep an eye on them; once they start to brown they’ll darken fast).

Pour shallots into strainer to drain, then transfer to paper towels. Season with salt and let cool. Reserve shallot oil for another use.

Do Ahead: Shallots can be fried 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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