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Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion

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A crispy, golden blooming onion made easily in the air fryer with a flavorful spice blend and creamy tangy dipping sauce. Perfect for snacks or appetizers without the greasy mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large sweet onion (preferably Vidalia or Walla Walla)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • Cooking spray
  • For the dipping sauce:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Onion (10 minutes): Peel the onion and trim the top, leaving the root intact. Place cut side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut downward about ½ inch from the root into 12-16 petals. Gently spread petals apart to form the bloom without breaking the root.
  2. Make the Flour Mixture (5 minutes): In a large bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  3. Mix the Wet Ingredients (2 minutes): In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk until smooth.
  4. Coat the Onion (10 minutes): Dip the onion into the wet mixture, coating between each petal. Let excess drip off. Transfer to the flour mixture and press flour into petals. For extra crunch, repeat dipping into wet and flour mixtures for a double coat.
  5. Preheat the Air Fryer (3 minutes): Set to 375°F (190°C) and heat while preparing the dipping sauce.
  6. Cook the Onion (15-18 minutes): Place coated onion root side down in air fryer basket. Spray top lightly with cooking spray. Cook 8-9 minutes, flip carefully, spray again, and cook another 7-9 minutes until golden and crispy.
  7. Prepare the Dipping Sauce (5 minutes): Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning and chill until serving.
  8. Serve: Let the onion cool a couple of minutes, transfer to a plate, and serve with dipping sauce.

Notes

Use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla for best results. Double coating the onion increases crunch. Spray lightly with cooking spray during cooking to ensure even crispiness. If air fryer basket is small, cook in batches or use a convection oven with adjusted times. Let the onion cool slightly before serving to set the coating.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, blooming onion, crispy onion, snack, appetizer, easy recipe, healthy fried onion

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/crispy-air-fryer-blooming-onion-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide-for-perfect-snack/