True North Kitchen

  • Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes
  • Nordic & Scandinavian Recipes Index
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring
  • Recipe Index
  • Nordic Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring
    • Recipe Index
    • Nordic Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Condiment Recipes

    Crispy Fried Shallots

    Published: Feb 8, 2020 · Modified: Jan 13, 2021 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Crispy shallots on a plate

    Crispy fried shallots or onions commonly grace the tops of Danish smørrebrød of all kinds and also make a deliciously crisp topping for hot dogs. While you can buy them at the grocery store (the Lars brand is quite good), they are quick and easy to make at home.

    Shallots and flour in a plastic bag on a wooden surface

    These delicious Crispy Fried Shallots may be small, but they are mighty in taste. Like baby onion rings, they bring a pleasant crunch and sharp/sweet onion flavor to sandwiches, salads or whatever else you choose to grace with their presence.

    Crispy shallots frying in oil in a pan

    Just one word of caution here....don't let your Crispy Fried Shallots get too dark. They will take on a bitter flavor if the color goes much past golden brown. It's better to err on the side of light in color.

    These Crispy Fried Shallots are really a Nordic cuisine essential. I hope you give them a try! They will perk up just about anything on your plate. I've got a few recipes below to get you started, but I would also recommend getting creative and using them on burgers, salads....anything that can use a little onion-y crunch.

    • New Potato Smørrebrød with Garlic Aioli and Crispy Shallots
    • Danish Hot Dogs
    • Roast Beef Smørrebrød with Danish Remoulade and Crispy Shallots

    Recipe

    Crispy shallots on a plate

    Crispy Fried Shallots

    An easy recipe for the classic topping for many Nordic dishes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment, Garnish
    Cuisine: Danish, Nordic, Scandinavian, Swedish
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings (1 cup)
    Calories: 358kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Ingredients

    • 3 medium shallots sliced into thin rings, rings separated from one another
    • ¼ cup all purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
    • Freshly ground pepper
    • 1 cup canola vegetable or peanut oil for frying
    • Coarse salt for sprinkling

    Instructions

    • Combine flour, salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large ziploc bag.  Add shallots, seal and toss around until shallots are coated with flour mixture.
    • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan until it reaches 280 degrees.  It’s worth using a thermometer here if you have one. If the oil is too hot, the shallots will burn and if it is too cool they will be soggy.
    • Transfer shallots to a fine mesh strainer and shake off any excess flour.  Place half of the shallots in the pan and fry until golden brown and crispy, 2-5 minutes.  Keep your eye on them, stirring frequently. If the shallots get too dark in color, they will be bitter in flavor.  Remove from oil using a slotted spoon. Place on paper towels and allow to drain.
    • Sprinkle shallots with coarse salt and allow them to cool slightly and crisp up.  Repeat with the other half of the shallots. Shallots can be used immediately or stored at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days (re-crisp in the oven briefly if necessary).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Condiment Recipes

    • Featured image for Elderflower Cream.
      Elderflower Cream (A Light Scandinavian Summer Dessert)
    • Close up of Easy Quick Pickled Mushrooms in a white bowl.
      Easy Quick Pickled Mushrooms
    • Close up of baked salmon topped with Warm Mustard Dill Sauce and a sprig of dill.
      Warm Mustard Dill Sauce (Perfect for Salmon or Chicken)
    • Close up of pear compote in an a jar.
      Simple Pear Compote

    Comments

    1. Kristi says

      November 11, 2024 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      These crispy fried shallots are perfect on top of just about anything...as long as you don't eat them all first :). They are especially delicious on top of Danish open faced sandwiches. My favorite!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Kristi! Welcome to my cozy Nordic kitchen!

    More about me

    Popular Posts

    • Featured image for Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread.
      Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread
    • Close up of Soft Rye Dinner Rolls.
      Soft Rye Dinner Rolls
    • Kavring bread sliced on a wooden cutting board.
      Kavring (The Easiest Swedish Rye Bread)
    • Swedish semla bun closeup.
      Easy Swedish Semla (Traditional Lenten Buns)
    • Close up of cardamom bun.
      Traditional Swedish Cardamom Buns (Kardemummabullar)
    • Close up of Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd) on a plate.
      Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd)

    Holiday Posts

    • Slices of Swedish Limpa Bread
      Swedish Limpa Bread
    • A close up of a stack of Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor).
      Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor)
    • Vegetarian meatballs and cream sauce in a pan
      Really Good Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
    • Close up of a pile of krumkaker.
      Krumkake (Traditional Norwegian Waffle Cookies)
    • Close up of 3 Swedish pancakes on a plate topped with lingonberries.
      Traditional Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor) with Lingonberries
    • Featured image for Swedish Meatballs with Gravy.
      Easy Swedish Meatballs with Gravy (Köttbullar)

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About
    Work with Me
    Contact
    Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    Accessibility Statement

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 True North Kitchen

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.