Air Fryer Blooming Onion
We have the best air fryer blooming onion recipe. It’s crispy, delicious, and healthier than traditional fried versions, making it perfect for a vegetarian appetizer. This simple and tasty dish is a crowd-pleaser and a must-try for anyone who loves air fryer cooking!
If you’re a fan of crispy, flavorful appetizers, you’re going to love our air fryer blooming onion recipe. This delicious onion dish is perfect for those who want a lighter, healthier option.
Using an air fryer oven, we achieve that perfectly golden and crispy texture without deep frying, making it a healthier alternative to traditional methods.
Blooming onions are a popular menu item at restaurants, but you can easily make this dish at home.
Our air fried blooming onion recipe combines a perfectly spiced, crispy coating with a tender, sweet onion center.
Paired with a creamy yum yum sauce, it’s a hit for any occasion.
John and I chose yum yum sauce over the traditional blossom sauce for its rich, tangy flavor that complements the onion’s sweetness perfectly.
Looking for other appetizer recipes? Try our feta mozzarella cheesy bread, pepperoni rolls, and ham flatbread.
Tips
- Choosing the Right Onion: Use a large sweet onion, like Vidalia, for the best flavor and a milder taste. The size and sweetness make it ideal for blooming onions.
- Cutting the Onion: To get even cuts and a perfect bloom, place the onion root side up on a cutting board. Start by making four cuts, then add more to create evenly spaced “petals.” Be sure to leave the root intact to hold everything together.
- Ensuring Even Crispiness: To achieve a crispy texture, make sure to coat the onion thoroughly in the flour mixture. Spray with olive oil spray before air frying and check halfway through the cooking process to see if more oil is needed. This helps achieve a beautiful, golden brown finish.
Storage and Reheating
Cool completely and store any leftover blooming onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the dipping sauce separate.
For the best results, reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or in an oven for about 10 minutes. Avoid using a microwave to prevent sogginess.
Alternative Dipping Sauce Options
- Ranch Dressing: A classic choice, ranch dressing adds a creamy texture that complements the crispy onion perfectly.
- Spicy Aioli: For a tangy and spicy kick.
- Honey Mustard: For a sweet and tangy sauce that pairs wonderfully with the onion’s savory coating.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: For a rich and tangy option, blue cheese dressing offers a bold flavor contrast to the sweet onion.
- BBQ Sauce: A smoky BBQ sauce can add a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the seasoned, crispy onion.
How do I get the onion to open after cutting?
If the onion doesn’t open easily, place it in ice water for a few minutes, root side up and fully submerged. The cold water helps the petals spread out and bloom. Be sure to pat the onion dry thoroughly before coating it with batter and air frying to achieve a crispy texture.
Other Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Ingredients
For the Blooming Onion:
- 1 (about 500 g) large sweet onion, e.g., Vidalia
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (2.3 g) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (2.3 g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (2.3 g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (5.7 g) salt
- ½ teaspoon (1.15 g) black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot sauce
- Olive oil spray
For the Yum Yum Sauce:
- ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60 g) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml)mirin, or water
- ¼ teaspoon (1.15 g) garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.15 g) onion powder
Instructions
To Make the Blooming Onion:
- Prepare the onion by peeling it and cutting off the top. Make 8-12 cuts evenly around the onion, stopping ½ inch from the root end. Gently separate the layers to create a blooming effect.1 (about 500 g) large sweet onion
- Mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce.1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour1 teaspoon (2.3 g) paprika1 teaspoon (2.3 g) garlic powder1 teaspoon (2.3 g) onion powder1 teaspoon (5.7 g) salt½ teaspoon (1.15 g) black pepper2 large eggs½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot sauce
- Dredge the onion in the flour mixture, then dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it gets into all the layers. Coat the onion again in the flour mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Place the onion in the air fryer basket, root side down, and spray with olive oil.Olive oil spray
- Air fry the onion for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, spraying with more olive oil if needed halfway through.
To Make the Yum Yum Sauce:
- While the onion cooks, prepare the yum yum sauce by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, melted butter, mirin (or water), garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise¼ cup (60 g) ketchup1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter1 tablespoon (15 ml)mirin¼ teaspoon (1.15 g) garlic powder¼ teaspoon (1.15 g) onion powder
- Allow the onion to cool slightly before serving with the yum yum sauce.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1/4 of the onion and 1/4 of the sauce. Actual calories will vary.
- See our nutrition disclaimer.
- If the onion doesn’t open easily with gentle loosening, place it in ice water for a few minutes, root side up and fully submerged. The cold water helps the petals spread out and bloom. Be sure to pat the onion dry thoroughly before coating it with batter and air frying to achieve a crispy texture.