Homemade Sloppy Joes with Crispy Onion Rings
(A Halloween Tradition Before the Candy)
Every year on Halloween night, before the candy chaos begins, we sit down to an early dinner that’s equal parts nostalgic and unapologetically indulgent: Sloppy Joes and crispy homemade onion rings. It’s our “Before the Candy” dinner — the calm before the sugar storm — and honestly, it might be my favorite Halloween tradition of all.
Because yes, we will eat a shameful amount of peanut butter cups later… but at least we start the night with something homemade, cozy, and dripping in sauce.
The Sloppy Joe: America’s Messiest Icon
Sloppy Joes are one of those meals that hit you right in the childhood. They first showed up on school lunch trays in the 1940s, when a cook named Joe in Sioux City, Iowa (midwest pride 👋) decided to add tomato sauce to ground beef. The rest is history — and maybe a few stained t-shirts.
This version keeps things simple: just ground beef, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, and spices. It’s sweet, tangy, and ridiculously easy. The sauce thickens and caramelizes as it simmers, clinging perfectly to each bite.
My favorite part? Toasting the bread right in the same skillet — soak up a little oil, give it some color, then pile on that saucy beef and a slice of cheese. It’s not fancy, but it’s perfect.
The Onion Rings: Crispy, Crunchy, and So Worth It
These homemade onion rings are the real deal — golden brown, airy, and extra crispy thanks to the panko + club soda combo. The carbonation keeps the batter light, while the panko adds that addictive crunch.
There’s a little heat from the cayenne (optional but highly recommended), smokiness from paprika, and that classic onion ring flavor that makes you question why you ever buy the frozen ones.
Hot tip: work in small batches when frying — they’ll crisp evenly, and you won’t end up with a pile of soggy sadness. Sprinkle with salt the second they come out of the oil so it sticks perfectly.
Why This Combo Works
There’s something wildly satisfying about biting into a saucy, slightly sweet Sloppy Joe and then chasing it with a hot, crispy onion ring. It’s the best kind of chaos — just like Halloween night itself.
So while the rest of the world is unwrapping candy bars, I’ll be here, making my house smell like fried onions and brown sugar, and pretending this counts as balance.
🍔 Homemade Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp prepared mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Buns of choice
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the Sauce: Stir in ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Simmer: Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and glossy.
- Assemble: Add the sloppy joe mixture to your desired bun, top with cheese if you’d like, and sandwich it all together. Serve hot (and keep napkins close).
🧅 Crispy Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow onions sliced into ½-inch thick rings
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup for one bowl, 1 cup for another
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup club soda or sparkling water
- 1 tbsp parsley optional
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Neutral oil for frying
Instructions
- Prep the Onions: Peel and slice onions into ½-inch rings. Gently separate layers.
- Mix the Batter: In one shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken seasoning, cayenne (if using), salt, pepper, and club soda until smooth.
Set Up the Coating Stations:
- Bowl 1: ½ cup flour with a little salt and pepper.
- Bowl 2: The wet batter.
- Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with parsley and a pinch of salt.
- Heat the Oil: In a large pot, heat neutral oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Coat the Rings: Dip each onion ring first into the flour, then into the wet batter, letting excess drip off, and finally into the panko.
- Fry Until Golden: Fry a few rings at a time for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season immediately with salt.
