Air Fryer Blooming Onion is a deliciously crispy appetizer consisting of a large onion cut to resemble a blooming flower, battered, and then fried to be enjoyed with your favorite dip!
If you’re looking for a tasty alternative to fried onion rings, this Blooming Onion is just for you! Get the perfect golden crunch while frying the healthy way.
Never lack inspiration for what to serve at your next party. This Taco Ring Recipe, Cheese Ball with Bacon, and Warm Bacon Cream Cheese Dip are sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love Blooming Onion
- Blooming onion is a fun and interactive appetizer that looks great too!
- Air frying is much healthier than deep frying
- Easily adapt the seasoning in the flour coating
- Make your air fryer blooming onion in just 20 minutes!
Ingredients Needed
- Sweet onion
- All-purpose flour
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Ground cumin
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
- Eggs
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
- Oil
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Ketchup
- Horseradish
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
How to Make An Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Mix the sauce ingredients together and store the sauce in a bowl, covered, or in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Cut the Onion to Make It Bloom
Cut off ½ inch of the top of the onion and then peel off the outer skin. Position the onion cut-side down on a flat kitchen board.
Start to cut ½ inch from the root in a downward direction until you get to the board, and repeat so that you achieve four equally spaced cuts around the entire onion.
Make three cuts between each section which will give you 16 cuts in total. Turn the onion over and leave it to sit for 5 minutes, so the petals relax. You’re going to gently separate the outer pieces of the onion with your fingers just before breading.
Step 3: Breading the Onion
Whisk together the flour, paprika, cayenne, cumin, thyme, and oregano in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs, milk, and 1 cup of water in a separate medium bowl with depth.
Add the onion to a clean bowl with the cut-side upwards and pour the dry mixture on top. Use a large spoon to coat the onion, paying particular attention to the onion petals. Turn the onion over and gently pat off any excess flour. Reserve the bowl of flour.
Place the onion in the egg mixture, coating it evenly. Remove the onion and allow any excess mixture to drip off before transferring the onion back to the reserved flour mixture to repeat this entire process.
Place the breaded onion in the fridge and preheat the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350F.
Step 4: Air Fry the Onion
Remove the onion from the fridge and spray it generously with cooking oil. Make a sling from aluminum foil to transfer the onion cut-side up into the air fryer basket. Cook the onion for 25 minutes, spraying it with oil 2-3 times as it cooks.
Remove the onion from the air fryer with help from the foil sling and season it. Enjoy your air fryer blooming onion with dip!
Tips & Tricks
- You can easily adapt this onion blossom recipe by changing the spices used to season the onion.
- If your eyes water while cutting an onion, consider freezing it for 10-15 minutes before cutting. The cold stops the tear-causing enzyme from releasing into the air! It’s also a good idea to use a sharp knife.
- Always select high-quality onions for this recipe. Avoid onions with black spots, other blemishes, and signs of mold or decay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Printable Recipe Card
Air Fryer Onion Blossom
Ingredients
For the Onion
- 1 large sweet onion
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- oil for frying
Onion Blossom Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons horseradish
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
- black pepper to taste
- cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce
- Mix the sauce ingredients together and store the sauce in a bowl, covered, or in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Cut the Onion to Make It Bloom
- Cut off ½ inch of the top of the onion and then peel off the outer skin. Position the onion cut-side down on a flat kitchen board.Start to cut ½ inch from the root in a downward direction until you get to the board, and repeat so that you achieve four equally spaced cuts around the entire onion. Make three cuts between each section which will give you 16 cuts in total. Turn the onion over and leave it to sit for 5 minutes, so the petals relax. You’re going to gently separate the outer pieces of the onion with your fingers just before breading.
Breading the Onion
- Whisk together the flour, paprika, cayenne, cumin, thyme, and oregano in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs, milk, and 1 cup of water in a separate medium bowl with depth.Add the onion to a clean bowl with the cut-side upwards and pour the dry mixture on top. Use a large spoon to coat the onion, paying particular attention to the onion petals. Turn the onion over and gently pat off any excess flour. Reserve the bowl of flour.Place the onion in the egg mixture, coating it evenly. Remove the onion and allow any excess mixture to drip off before transferring the onion back to the reserved flour mixture to repeat this entire process. Place the breaded onion in the fridge and preheat the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350F.
Air Fry the Onion
- Remove the onion from the fridge and spray it generously with cooking oil. Make a sling from aluminum foil to transfer the onion cut-side up into the air fryer basket. Cook the onion for 25 minutes, spraying it with oil 2-3 times as it cooks. Remove the onion from the air fryer with help from the foil sling and season it. Enjoy your air fryer blooming onion with dip!
Joy
Friday 13th of January 2023
Loved it!