Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Rest Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or other sweet onion)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- Cooking oil spray
For the Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Onion
Peel the onion and trim about ½ inch from the pointed top while leaving the root intact. Place the onion root-side down. Using a sharp knife, cut downward into the onion to create 12–16 sections without cutting through the root. Carefully spread the petals apart with your fingers.
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
In one large bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
Step 3: Coat the Onion
Dust the onion thoroughly with the seasoned flour, making sure it gets between every petal.
Next, dip the onion into the egg mixture or spoon the mixture over the onion until completely coated.
Return the onion to the flour mixture for a second coating. Press gently so the coating sticks well to every petal.
Step 4: Chill
Place the coated onion in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better during cooking.
Step 5: Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Spray the onion generously with cooking oil.
Place the onion root-side down in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 18–20 minutes, spraying lightly with additional oil halfway through cooking if needed. The coating should become crisp and golden brown.
If your onion is very large, cook for an additional 2–4 minutes until fully crispy.
Step 6: Make the Sauce
While the onion cooks, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 7: Serve
Allow the blooming onion to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Place the dipping sauce in the center or serve alongside. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Tips for Success
- Sweet onions provide the best flavor and texture.
- Be careful not to cut through the root, as it holds the onion together.
- Spray the onion thoroughly with oil for maximum crispiness.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Every air fryer cooks slightly differently, so check for doneness during the last few minutes.
Storage
Store leftover blooming onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it will soften the coating.
Recipe Notes
This Air Fryer Blooming Onion delivers the same satisfying crunch as the classic restaurant version while using significantly less oil. It’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to prepare and perfect for sharing.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Potassium: 220 mg