Description
Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions are a lighter take on the classic appetizer, featuring sweet onions coated in a seasoned batter and air fried until golden, crispy, and full of flavor. Perfect for parties, snacking, or serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk with lemon juice
- 1 cup flour or gluten-free flour
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 medium sweet onions
- Cooking spray or oil, as needed
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk or milk with lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Peel the onions, then carefully slice off the tops and bottoms to create a stable base. Make vertical cuts to form petal-like blooms while keeping the base intact.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each onion into the buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip away, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place the coated onions in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for proper air circulation.
- Lightly spray the tops of the onions with cooking spray or brush them with oil.
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the onions are golden and crispy.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use sweet onions such as Vidalia for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the onions may not crisp evenly.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour.
- Reduce the cayenne pepper for a milder, kid-friendly flavor.
- These onions are best served immediately for maximum crispiness.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer to help restore their crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 onion
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg