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Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion

A whole, fully bloomed onion, perfectly cooked and crispy from the air fryer, resting on a white plate.
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Make a crispy, restaurant-style blooming onion using your air fryer. This recipe provides simple steps for perfect petals and a crunchy coating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or yellow)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)
  • For Dipping Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Prepare the onion: Peel the onion. Cut off the top stem end, leaving the root end intact. Make deep vertical cuts from the top toward the root, stopping about 1/2 inch from the root base. Make cuts between the first set of cuts to create 16 to 20 petals. Gently spread the onion open so the petals separate. Rinse the onion under cold water to remove excess starch, then pat it completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Set up the dredging stations: In one shallow bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Coat the onion: Dip the entire onion into the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat all surfaces, especially between the petals. Shake off excess. Dip the onion into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, press the onion firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring the breadcrumbs adhere well to all surfaces.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated onion in the basket. Spray the top surface of the onion generously with cooking spray to aid crisping.
  6. Air fry for 15 minutes. Carefully flip the onion (use tongs or two spatulas) and spray the second side with cooking spray. Continue to air fry for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the coating is deep golden brown and crispy. Check the center to ensure the onion is tender.
  7. While the onion cooks, mix all dipping sauce ingredients together until smooth.
  8. Carefully remove the cooked onion and place it on a serving platter. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Drying the onion thoroughly after rinsing is crucial for the batter to stick properly.
  • If the onion is too large for your air fryer basket, you may need to cook it in two batches or use a smaller onion.
  • For extra crispiness, you can dip the onion in the flour mixture a second time after the first egg wash dip before applying the panko.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/crispy-air-fryer-blooming-onion/