These crispy Spanish onion fritters, known as tortillitas crujientes de cebolla, are truly what comfort food is all about. We’re talking a light crispy texture with a ton of flavors, simple ingredients, and super easy to make. Serve them as a tapas appetizer or even as a side dish.
To make this recipe, I used typical yellow onions, which are also known as brown onions. You can also use white onions, red onions, or even sweet onions if you prefer.
I served these fritters next to a simple mayo aioli that truly elevates the fritters. Made with just garlic, Spanish saffron, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and olive oil. You can add a dash of crushed red pepper for a spicy kick if you like.
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: It took me about 3 minutes per side to crisp up the fritters. It might take you less or more. Just ensure the heat is on medium and nothing higher. Otherwise, the fritters might brown too quickly on the outside and not fully cook on the inside.
Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL
SPANISH GOLDEN SAFFRON
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Watch the Video Below on How to Make CRISPY Spanish Onion Fritters
CRISPY Spanish Onion Fritters | Tortillitas Crujientes de Cebolla
Ingredients
FOR THE FRITTERS
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 35 ml
- 3 medium onions (thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour 60 grams
- 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 grams
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup beer 90 ml
- 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin 0.75 grams
- 2 tbsp chopped chives 5 grams
- sea salt & black pepper
FOR THE MAYO AIOLI
- 2 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads 0.17 grams
- 1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise 120 grams
- 1 tsp lemon juice 5 ml
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 15 ml
- sea salt & black pepper
EXTRAS
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
- handful chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
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Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in 2 tbsp (35 ml) olive oil
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After a couple of minutes, add in the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, mix together, then mix every 2 to 3 minutes so the onions evenly sauté
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Once the onions are lightly caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes, add in the chopped garlic, mix together for 30 seconds, and then turn off the heat
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Add the flour and baking powder into a large bowl, whisk together, then make a well in the middle, crack in the egg and whisk the egg, then add in the beer and whisk everything together until you get a creamy batter
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Add the sautéed onions over the batter, along with the paprika, cumin, and chopped chives, then season with salt & pepper and mix together until well mixed
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Heat the same fry pan with a medium heat and add in 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
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After a couple of minutes, add in spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, you want all the fritters in a single layer and evenly spaced out, cook in batches, fry the fritters for 3 minutes per side or until golden and crispy, then transfer into a dish with paper towels
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To make the mayo aioli, add the chopped garlic into a mortar, along with the saffron and a pinch of salt, using a pestle, pound down on the ingredients until you get a paste-like texture, then add in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, and season with salt & pepper, whisk together
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Add the mayo aioli into a serving dish and decorate the fritters around it, garnish with chopped chives, enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Get the Spanish Olive Oil and Spanish Golden Saffron I used to make this Recipe
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10 . Oct . 2025Mekhala
These Spanish onion fritters look absolutely mouthwatering! I love how crispy they are on the outside and tender inside. The addition of paprika and other spices must give them such a great flavor. I can already imagine how perfect these would be as a side dish or a snack. Can’t wait to try this recipe out! Gracias for sharing! 😊
10 . Oct . 2025Spain on a Fork
Hope you enjoy! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
12 . Oct . 2025Antonio
Hello! Can Almond Flour be substituted for the All-Purpose Flour in this dish to make it more keto-friendly? Thanks!
07 . Oct . 2025Spain on a Fork
Absolutely! start with the same amount, and then add more if needed 🙂 Much love
08 . Oct . 2025Mia
What would be a good substitute for the beer? Gluten free
06 . Oct . 2025Spain on a Fork
club soda or sparkling water 🙂 Much love
06 . Oct . 2025Mark French
06 . Oct . 2025Interestingly, for taste, these rival the very popular onion bhajis.
I see the potential for making a vegan version of these using chickpea flour (as with the bhajis).
Thanks for inspiring my nostalgia for Spain.
Spain on a Fork
Appreciate the comment! Much love 🙂
06 . Oct . 2025C. Roy
Can’t wait to make these!!!
02 . Oct . 2025Spain on a Fork
Hope you enjoy! Much love 🙂
02 . Oct . 2025Diana
01 . Oct . 2025I made the onion fritters for my husband.. he wants me to make these every week now.. Do you have any fish recipes?
Spain on a Fork
Happy to hear that! Yes you will find many fish recipes on my blog 🙂 Much love
01 . Oct . 2025Maria Knorr
01 . Oct . 2025Recipes look healthy and easy
Spain on a Fork
Thank you! Much love 🙂
01 . Oct . 2025