Ingredients

Peanut oil, for frying
1 cup whole buttermilk
1 large egg
1 sleeve soda crackers, crushed (recommended: Saltine)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black chipotle chili pepper
2 large onions, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices and separated into rings

Chipotle Cream Dipping Sauce:

1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce from can
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a deep-fryer or Dutch oven, heat 4 inches of peanut oil to 360 degrees F.

In a shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until combined.

In a separate shallow dish, combine the crushed crackers, flour, salt, and chili pepper.

Dredge the onion slices into the buttermilk mixture, then in the cracker mixture. Fry, in batches, if necessary, for 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove from the oil, and drain on paper towels. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with dipping sauce, if desired.

Chipotle Cream Dipping Sauce:

In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients; cover and refrigerate until using.

Yield: 1 1/4 cup