Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion With Perfect Golden Crunch Recipe

Introduction

This Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion offers the perfect golden crunch without the mess of deep frying. A flavorful blend of spices and a light coating make it a delicious appetizer that’s easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet onion
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the onion into a blooming shape by slicing off the top, leaving the root intact. Carefully separate the petals to create the “bloom.”
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until combined.
4. Step 4: Coat the onion thoroughly in the flour mixture, then dip it into the egg mixture. Return it to the flour mixture for a final coating.
5. Step 5: Spray the coated onion with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture.
6. Step 6: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the onion carefully in the air fryer basket.
7. Step 7: Cook the onion for 12-15 minutes, until it is crispy and golden brown. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Use a sweet onion like Vidalia for milder flavor and natural sweetness.
• For extra crispiness, double-dip the onion in the egg and flour mixtures.
• Try different spices such as smoked paprika or chili powder for varied flavor profiles.
• If you like heat, increase the cayenne pepper or serve with a spicy dipping sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover blooming onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it can cause sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of onions for this recipe?

Yes, you can use yellow or white onions, but sweet onions work best for their mild flavor and tenderness.

Do I really need to spray the onion with cooking spray?

Yes, spraying helps achieve that perfect crispy texture and golden color when air frying.

Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion With Perfect Golden Crunch Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 108 reviews

This Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion recipe transforms a classic fried appetizer into a healthier, irresistibly crunchy treat. Using an air fryer, the onion achieves a perfect golden crunch with less oil, making it a delicious guilt-free snack or party starter. The flavorful seasoned flour and mild spices complement the natural sweetness of the large sweet onion, resulting in a beautiful and tasty blooming onion everyone will love.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Total Time: 27-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Onion

• 1 large sweet onion

Breading

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk

Others

• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Onion: Slice off the top of the large sweet onion and peel it, leaving the root end intact to hold the petals together. Carefully separate the onion into petal shapes to create the ‘blooming’ appearance.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir well to mix the seasoning evenly.
3. Prepare Wet Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth and fully blended.
4. Coat the Onion: First, dredge the blooming onion carefully in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring all petals are coated. Next, dip it into the egg and milk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Finally, coat the onion again thoroughly with the flour mixture for a double layer of breading.
5. Preheat and Spray: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Generously spray the entire coated onion with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy and golden exterior during air frying.
6. Air Fry the Onion: Place the prepared onion gently into the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the onion is crispy and golden brown, checking halfway through and spraying with cooking spray if needed to enhance crispiness.
7. Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the blooming onion from the air fryer. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch, spicy mayo, or BBQ sauce.

Notes

• Leave the root end of the onion intact to keep the petals together during coating and cooking.
• Use cooking spray generously to help achieve a crispy texture without deep frying.
• Cayenne pepper is optional, adjust based on spice preference.
• For even cooking, check the onion halfway through and spray again if it looks dry.
• Air fryer models may vary; cooking time might need slight adjustments.
• Serve immediately for the best crispiness; leftovers may soften.

Keywords: Air Fryer Blooming Onion, Crispy Onion, Appetizer, Air Fryer Recipes, Onion Snack, Golden Blooming Onion