If you ask me, June 22nd is a high holy day. It happens to be National Onion Rings Day! And, look! I get it. You may be 'hopelessly devoted' to French fries, Olivia Newton-John. However, I am a ring guy. If I am having a juicy and greasy burger and I have the option, I will ALWAYS choose onion rings over fries. All day. Any day. Every day.

So, where the heck did those things come from? Who came up with the onion ring? Believe it or not, they date WAY back to the early 1800s.

If you were hoping the credit would go to someone in the United States, you are out of luck. It seems the very first recipe for onion rings was published back in 1802 in the United Kingdom- in John Mollard's cookbook The Art of Cookery Made Easy and Refined. Actually, I have a correction. The rather long, official title of that book is The Art of Cookery Made Easy and Refined: Comprising Ample for Preparing Every Article Requisite for Furnishing the Tables of Nobleman, Gentleman, and Tradesman.

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Oh, fun random fact. You can order a 'new' copy of that book online. I found a reissued copy- printed by Forgotten Book- available on Amazon. With Amazon's two-day delivery, you'll get your copy of the book before you can say the name of it aloud. LOL.

Mollard's book featured what is generally hailed as the first onion ring recipe. That recipe called for a batter made of flour, cream, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Okay, that sounds ridiculously good. So does this! They were fried in lard.

So, when did onion rings really gain popularity? While they were served at random 'mom & pop' restaurants around the country, it seems the fast food chain A&W gets the credit for launching them into the mainstream. It was the 1960s that they started offering onion rings on the menu.

And, look what I found while combing and slobbering my way through the internet. Yes. That's A&W's onion ring recipe.

I told you National Onion Rings Day is a high holy day.

Now, I have a confession to make and it's one that may irritate you. My friend and former coworker Lee Denney (may he rest in peace) had a DELICIOUS recipe for homemade onion rings. My intent was to find it and share it with you in this story. Lee's recipe is quite possibly my favorite ever. But, that step-by-step guide to orgasma has somehow escaped my recipe book.

But, I don't think the recipe escaped on its own. I think someone- with the same insatiable cravings for onion rings as me- lifted it out of my book. But, that's okay. I believe in karma and they will eventually be punished by the universe.

Instead, I will tell you this. If you want to make onion rings at home, there are plenty of delicious recipes available online. Or, you can do what I do sometimes. You can hit up the frozen food section at the grocery and pluck some out of the case. There are some stout brands on the market that will hit the spot. I promise.

READ MORE: The Four Best Brands of Frozen Onion Rings You Can Buy

You're welcome and Happy National Onion Rings Day!