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.
