Best Air Fryer Blooming Onions Ever Recipe
This recipe for the Best Air Fryer Blooming Onions Ever offers a crispy, golden-brown appetizer made by air frying sweet onions coated in a flavorful seasoned flour, egg batter, and panko breadcrumbs. Perfectly crunchy and tender, these blooming onions are a healthier twist on the classic fried favorite, made easy in the air fryer for less oil and mess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 blooming onions 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blooming Onions:
- 4 small onions (preferably sweet varieties like Vidalia)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended for extra crunch)
- Cooking spray (for air frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel the onions, removing any dry or papery skin. Slice about ¼ inch off the top of each onion, leaving the root end intact. Set the onion root-side down and make vertical cuts about 1 inch apart all around, stopping just above the root to keep the base whole. Gently spread the layers to “bloom” the petals—like a flower. Handle carefully to avoid breaking the layers.
- Mix the Coatings: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk until smooth. Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl, ready for the final coating.
- Dredge and Coat: Working one onion at a time: dredge it in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring the flour gets between all the petals. Dip it fully in the egg-and-buttermilk mixture. Roll it in the breadcrumbs, gently pressing so the coating adheres to every surface. Tip: Use a spoon to help coat the inner petals evenly without breaking them.
- Air Fry to Crispy Perfection: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place one coated onion in the basket and mist the top of the onion generously with cooking spray. Air fry for 15–18 minutes, or until the onion is golden brown and crisp all over. Cooking time may vary based on the size of the onion and your air fryer model. Repeat with remaining onions if necessary.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Make sure the root end stays intact while slicing to hold the onion layers together during cooking.
- For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Handle the onions carefully when coating to avoid breaking the petals.
- Adjust air frying time based on your air fryer model and onion size.
- Spraying the onion with cooking spray before air frying helps achieve a golden, crispy finish.
Keywords: blooming onion, air fryer appetizer, crispy onion, panko breadcrumb onion, easy air fryer recipe
