Servings
Font
Back
3.3 from 9 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe (Step-By-Step)

Looking for a mouthwatering appetizer or snack? This crispy air fryer blooming onion recipe is the answer! With our step-by-step photos to walk you through, you can guarantee a restaurant-worthy snack that’s guaranteed to impress.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 137 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Air Fryer Bloomin' Onion
  • 1 large vidalia onion
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour can use gluten-free
  • 1 tsp each garlic powder, smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp each salt, black pepper, cayenne
  • ½ cup milk can use unflavored dairy-free milk, 120 mL
  • 1 large egg
Sauce (optional)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp creamy horseradish sauce
  • 1 Tbsp ketchup
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut Onion: Cut off the top of the onion, leaving the root intact (it will hold the onion together). Peel the skin off the onion. Make 4 vertical cuts into the onion, starting from the top and working towards the root end, ensuring you don't cut all the way through the root. Gently spread apart the onion petals with your fingers to expose the layers and give it the bloomin' appearance. Be careful not to break the petals off.
  2. Prep Dredging Station: In a large bowl, combine the flour and all spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
  3. Bread The Onion: Gently place your onion in the flour bowl, lightly dusting it with the mixture. Tap off excess, then dunk it in the egg to completely coat it. Let excess drip off, then place it back in the flour mixture. Work flour into all the crevices.
  4. Oil It: Use a sprayable cooking oil to coat the whole onion lightly (and all of its nooks and crannies) in oil—this will make it brown and crispy.
  5. Air Fry: Cook the onion in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Sauce (optional): While the onion cooks, stir together the sauce.
  7. Serve: Serve hot with sauce!

Notes

  • This doesn't store well after cooking, so enjoy it while it's hot!
  • Can I use a different type of onion? While Vidalia onions are commonly used for blooming onions due to their mild and sweet flavor, you can try using other sweet onion varieties.
  • Can I make a blooming onion without an air fryer? If you don't have an air fryer, you can still make a blooming onion by deep frying it. Follow the same cutting and breading steps, then carefully lower it into a pot of hot oil and fry until golden and crispy. You can also make a baked blooming onion by cooking it at 350°F (186°C) for about 15 minutes
  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time? It's best enjoyed fresh and hot, but if you need to prepare it in advance, you can follow the steps up to breading the onion and then refrigerate it until ready to cook. When ready to serve, simply air fry the onion according to the instructions.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving (without sauce) Calories 137kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 17.5g (6%) Protein 4.7g (9%) Fat 5.5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1.3g (7%) Cholesterol 49mg (16%) Sodium 325mg (14%) Potassium 114mg (3%) Fiber 1.3g (5%) Sugar 3.3g (7%) Calcium 55mg (6%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 137

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving (without sauce)
Calories 137kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 17.5g 6%
Protein 4.7g 9%
Fat 5.5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1.3g 7%
Cholesterol 49mg 16%
Sodium 325mg 14%
Potassium 114mg 2%
Fiber 1.3g 5%
Sugar 3.3g 7%
Calcium 55mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.