Who doesn't love a crispy and delicious blooming onion? This popular appetizer has been a staple on menus at sports bars and restaurants for decades, and for good reason!
Get ready to impress your guests with this fun and tasty appetizer!
Traditional deep-fried blooming onions can be heavy and unhealthy, leaving you feeling guilty after indulging. These air fryer blooming onions offer a healthier and equally delicious alternative that will have you reaching for seconds without the guilt.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
These air fryer blooming onions are a tasty and healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried blooming onions. Plus, they're incredibly versatile and easy to customize to your liking.
Air fryer blooming onions are a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried blooming onions, as they use much less oil. This means you can enjoy the crispy, crunchy texture of a blooming onion without consuming as much unhealthy fat.
Making a blooming onion in the air fryer is also easy and quick. Unlike traditional deep-fried blooming onions, you don't have to deal with a large pot of hot oil, and the air fryer requires very little preheating time.
Additionally, you can customize the seasoning and coating of your air fryer blooming onion to your liking. Whether you prefer a spicy or mild flavor, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.
It's also a fun and interactive appetizer to share with friends and family. Everyone can pull off a petal and dip it into the sauce, making it a great conversation starter at parties and get-togethers.
Ingredients
Onion:
For this recipe, a large sweet onion such as a Vidalia onion works best because they have a mild flavor, which pairs well with the seasonings and dipping sauces typically used for blooming onions.
Seasonings:
When it comes to the seasonings used in this recipe, you can choose to follow the recipe exactly, or you can play around with your favorite herbs and spices to tailor your air fryer blooming onion to your taste. I often like to use paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, ground coriander, cilantro, cayenne pepper, and onion flakes for a spicier mix.
Coating:
Choose your favorite coating to use on your blooming onion, such as bread crumbs, panko, crackers, or cornflakes. You can even incorporate more spices, seasonings, or even grated parmesan cheese into your coating.
How to Make Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Step One:
Cut the top off of your onion and remove any unwanted layers. Keep the bottom intact.
Step Two:
Cut the onion into 8 wedges, ensuring they stay attached to the bottom of the onion.
Step Three:
Place the onion, bottom side down, on a plate. If onion layers are sticking together, gently pry them apart until your onion resembles a bloom.
Step Four:
In a bowl, mix flour and seasonings until combined.
Step Five:
In another bowl, mix egg, butter, and milk.
Step Six:
Sprinkle the flour mixture onto the onion, coating as much as possible. Then pour the egg mixture over the onion.
Step Seven:
Stir your coating of choice into the remaining flour mixture and generously apply it to your onion.
Step Eight:
Step Eight:Add your onion to the air fryer basket and give it a light coating of non-stick cooking spray.
Step 9:
Step 9:Cook your onion for 20 minutes at 300F.
Step Ten:
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Tips
- Soak the onion in cold water for at least 30 minutes to help the petals open up and bloom. It also helps with the overwhelming onion scent that can sometimes irritate the eyes when cutting.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370F for a few minutes before cooking to ensure a more evenly cooked blooming onion.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Blooming Onion
This air fryer blooming onion can be served as a delicious appetizer or a side dish to complement a main meal.
Pair your blooming onion with a side of crispy french fries or sweet potato fries, or for a heartier meal, serve it alongside grilled or roasted meats, such as chicken, steak, or pork.
You can even serve a blooming onion as an appetizer, along with chili cheese fries, lumpia, or French bread pizza.
FAQs
How long can a leftover air fryer blooming onion be stored?
A leftover air fryer blooming onion can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Freezing it for any longer than that will affect the texture and taste, so it is not recommended.
What is the best way to reheat an air fryer blooming onion?
If you want to crisp up the outer coating, place your blooming onion back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 375F. Once the onion is heated and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and serve it with your favorite dipping sauce.
How do I make blooming onion sauce?
In a small bowl, whisk together ½ a cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of horseradish sauce, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Can I use the Instant Pot for this recipe?
Yes. Basically we are using the air fryer lid to make this easy appetizer. Check Instant Pot Blooming Onion for full instructions.
More Appetizer Recipes
If you enjoy entertaining as I do, then you are probably also always on the lookout for easy appetizer recipes to make for any occasion. Check out these delicious appetizer options for your next event.
More Onion Recipes
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Ingredients
- 1 sweet onion large
- ½ cup flour
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup milk
- 2 ounces coating
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Cut the top off of your onion and remove any unwanted layers. Keep the bottom intact.
- Cut the onion into 8 wedges, ensuring they stay attached to the bottom of the onion.
- Place the onion, bottom side down, on a plate. If onion layers are sticking together, gently pry them apart until your onion resembles a bloom.
- In a bowl, mix flour and seasonings until combined.
- In another bowl, mix egg, butter, and milk.
- Sprinkle the flour mixture onto the onion, coating as much as possible. Then pour the egg mixture over the onion.
- Stir your coating of choice into the remaining flour mixture and generously apply it to your onion.
- Add your onion to the air fryer basket and give it a light coating of non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook your onion for 20 minutes at 300F.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Soak the onion in cold water for at least 30 minutes to help the petals open up and bloom. It also helps with the overwhelming onion scent that can sometimes irritate the eyes when cutting.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370F for a few minutes before cooking to ensure a more evenly cooked blooming onion.
What is the “coating of choice” that is supposed to be mixed in with the flour that has already been poured over the onion?
Should this be dipped in the egg mixture first, then add the spices?
haven't tried it yet, but will when I have time!