Red-Hot Red Onion Rings

Onions
2 red onions, peeled, cut in 1/4-inch thick slices,
    separated into rings
3/4 cup hot-chile or regular olive oil
1 cup buttermilk

Seasoned Flour
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons hot paprika
2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons black pepper

Vegetable oil, for frying

Onions: In bowl, toss onions with oil. Cover; refrigerate 2 hours, tossing twice. Add buttermilk. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Flour: In bowl, mix ingredients.

Heat 2 inches oil in deep fryer or Dutch oven to 365 degrees F.

Remove onion rings, a few at a time, from buttermilk mixture; coat with flour. Place on wax-paper