Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe
A crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Blooming Onion made by coating a whole onion in seasoned batter and air frying it to golden perfection. This appetizer is a healthier twist on the classic deep-fried blooming onion, offering the same crunch and taste with less oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 large onion (preferably a sweet onion like Vidalia)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk)
- Cooking oil spray (such as avocado or canola oil spray)
Instructions
- Prepare the onion: Peel the onion and trim the top. Place the onion cut-side down on a cutting board. Carefully cut the onion into sections, slicing from the top down, about 1/2 inch apart, stopping 1/2 inch from the root so the sections stay connected.
- Make the seasoned coating: In a bowl, mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Dip the onion: Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl. Dip the whole onion into the buttermilk, making sure to get between all the petals. Then dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each petal is well coated. Repeat for extra crispy coating if desired.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Spray with oil: Lightly spray the coated onion with cooking oil spray to promote crispiness and golden color.
- Air fry the onion: Place the onion in the air fryer basket cut side up. Air fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, spraying with oil halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping. The onion should be golden brown and crispy on the edges.
- Serve: Carefully remove the blooming onion from the air fryer. Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch or spicy mayo.
Notes
- Make sure not to cut all the way through the onion; leave the bottom intact so it holds together.
- You can adjust the seasoning in the flour mix to suit your taste preferences.
- Lightly spraying the onion with oil helps replicate the crispiness of deep frying.
- Use a large onion for best results to create a fuller bloom.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Air Fryer Blooming Onion, crispy onion, healthy blooming onion, appetizer, snack, air fryer recipes
