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Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 61 reviews

This crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Blooming Onion is a fun, healthier twist on the classic appetizer. A large sweet onion is sliced to create a blooming flower shape, then coated in a seasoned flour and egg mixture before being air fried to golden perfection. The result is a crunchy, savory treat perfect for sharing, served best with a creamy dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Onion

  • 1 large sweet onion

Dredging Mix

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Egg Wash

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup water

Cooking

  • Oil in a spray bottle (vegetable oil recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Onion: Slice off ½ inch from the top of the onion and peel off the outer skin.
  2. Cut the Onion to Bloom: Place the onion cut-side down. Make a downward cut starting ½ inch from the root all the way through to the cutting board.
  3. Make Additional Cuts: Make three more evenly spaced cuts around the onion to total four main cuts. Then add three additional cuts between each to create 16 petals.
  4. Let the Onion Relax: Turn the onion over and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the petals to separate slightly.
  5. Separate Petals: Use your fingers gently to separate the outer pieces further to open the bloom.
  6. Mix the Flour and Seasonings: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  7. Prepare the Egg Wash: In a medium deep bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and water.
  8. First Dredge: Place the onion cut side up in a clean bowl. Pour the flour mixture over it, using a large spoon to coat thoroughly between the petals. Turn onion over and tap off excess flour. Reserve remaining flour mixture.
  9. Egg Coat: Submerge the onion into the egg mixture, coating evenly. Let excess drip off.
  10. Second Dredge: Return onion to the reserved flour mixture and coat again, tapping off excess flour gently.
  11. Chill Onion: Place the onion in the refrigerator to set while you preheat the air fryer.
  12. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat to 350ºF (175ºC) for 10 minutes.
  13. Oil the Onion: Remove onion from the fridge and spray generously with vegetable oil.
  14. Prepare for Air Frying: Create a sling from aluminum foil and place the onion cut side up into the air fryer basket using the sling for easy removal.
  15. Cook the Onion: Air fry for 25 minutes, spraying with oil 2-3 times during cooking, focusing on any spots with visible flour to ensure crispiness.
  16. Finish and Serve: Remove the onion carefully using the foil sling, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately with your favorite blooming onion dip.

Notes

  • Using a sweet onion like Vidalia enhances the natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Be gentle when separating the petals to avoid breaking the onion apart.
  • Spraying oil during cooking helps achieve a crispy crust without deep frying.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper to control the heat level in the coating.
  • Make sure to preheat the air fryer for best crispiness and cooking evenness.
  • You can customize the dipping sauce with ranch, spicy mayo, or horseradish sauce.

Keywords: air fryer blooming onion, blooming onion recipe, air fried onion appetizer, crispy onion flower, healthier blooming onion

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/air-fryer-blooming-onion-recipe/