Air Fryer Blooming Onion
A healthier twist on the classic blooming onion, this recipe uses an air fryer to achieve a crispy, golden-brown finish without the excess oil. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, it's a perfect appetizer for sharing. Serve with ranch dressing for a delicious, guilt-free treat that's ready in just 45 minutes.
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- Vegetable spray
- Ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Cut the Onion: Cut off the top side of the onion, leaving the root side intact. Peel off the skin of the onion. Place the onion on the flat side (where you just cut off). Make 4 to 8 vertical cuts into the onion from the top, near the roots, to the bottom (the face down side). DO NOT cut all the way through the root. Flip the onion over so the root side is on the cutting board, and peel apart the onion petals to expose each layer. Do not break off the petals.
- Prepare the Flour Coating: In a large bowl, combine the flour and all spices. Whisk well.
- Prepare the Dredging Mix: Whisk together the egg and milk.
- Coat the Onion: Place the onion in the flour bowl and dust it all over, even in the little nooks and crannies. Tap off the excess and then dip completely in the egg and milk mixture. Let that drip off, and then place the onion back in the flour coating bowl. Work the flour into all crevices.
- Spray & Fry: Place the coated onion in the air fryer and use cooking oil to coat the whole onion (even in all the little crevices). Air Fry for 20 minutes at 300°F. Once the time is up, set to the broil setting on your air fryer and broil for another 2 to 10 minutes until it reaches your desired crispiness.
- Enjoy: Remove the onion carefully from the air fryer and enjoy with your favorite sauce.
Notes
This recipe doesn’t reheat well, so make sure to enjoy it all! You can always reheat it in the air fryer, but it tastes so much better fresh!