Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Enjoy a healthier twist on the classic blooming onion with this air fryer recipe that delivers a crispy, flavorful experience perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the blooming onion
- 1 large onion (Vidalia or sweet onion works best)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk (for soaking the onion)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional for extra crunch)
- to taste olive oil spray
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel the outer skin from the onion and cut off the stem and root ends.
- Place the onion on a cutting board, root side down, and make vertical cuts downward to create the bloom shape without cutting through.
Dredging
- In a bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Pour the buttermilk into another bowl and dip the blooming onion to soak all petals.
- Dredge the soaked onion in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coating. Shake off any excess flour.
Cooking
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and place the onion inside, root side down.
- Lightly spray the top of the onion with more olive oil.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes, checking halfway to turn the onion for even cooking.
Serving
- Once the onion is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with various dipping sauces like ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or barbecue sauce.
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Notes
For extra crunch, consider adding breadcrumbs to the coating. Adjust cayenne pepper for desired spice level. Monitor doneness, as cooking times may vary by air fryer model.