All the crunch, all the bloom, and no deep-frying required!
You know chain restaurants. Most of their entrées are pretty uninteresting, but in college they were my group’s go-to spots for cheap late-night appetizers. One of my faves was the blooming onion. It was greasy and crunchy, with the perfect blend of sweet and salty. The thing is, I’m not in my 20s anymore, and eating a fried onion at 12:00 am? Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. But an air fryer blooming onion with an early dinner? Now we’re talking.
I’m a huge fan of onion rings. I love them baked. I love them air-fried. And for parties, I like to fancify them with this easy blooming onion recipe. It’s way less messy than deep-fried versions and packs a lot less fat. And guess what? It’s just as crunchy and tasty. I blend a bit of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, thyme, and oregano for a savory and herbaceous flavor. Add your favorite dip, and I bet you anything this air fryer blooming onion will be gone faster than you can say Shrek — IYKYK.
Is An Air Fryer Blooming Onion Healthy?
Compared to the fried variety, my air fryer blooming onion is definitely lower in fat and calories. I spray a little oil on the onion, but just enough to get it crispy. The result is a serving that has just 108 calories and 3 grams of fat. Normally, blooming onions call for milk, but I’ve opted for almond milk. It works just as well. Likewise, if you’re nut-free, you could also use soy or oat milk. Are you gluten-sensitive? No worries! Just use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. And for egg-free homes, I’d recommend a commercial egg replacer; I’m particularly fond of Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer.
The Bloom Effect: Why The Cut Matters
Blooming onions are an art. While they’re not difficult to make, there is a precision and finesse to transforming this vegetable into a beautifully flavorful flower. As you’ll note from the instructions, this recipe requires a large, preferably sweet, onion. Size matters: A large onion allows you to easily make a series of shallow vertical cuts so that the onion fans out for that signature bloom. Except this blooming isn’t just for aesthetics — you’re giving the coating and spice mix a chance to reach every crevice of the onion so it crisps evenly. All you need is a sharp knife and a steady hand.
How to Make Ahead and Store
You could store this blooming onion in the fridge for about 5 days in an airtight container, but I don’t recommend it. Once cooked, it falls apart pretty fast. Personally, I’d eat this right away.
Serving Suggestions
This air-fried blooming onion is the perfect party appetizer. I love serving it with other air-fried favorites like Chicken Nuggets and Buffalo Cauliflower. Or try it with Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites with sweet and sour sauce! Speaking of sauce, this Onion Ring Dipping Sauce tastes just as good with a blooming onion. What’s your favorite pairing? Let me know in the comments!
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- Olive or avocado oil in a spray
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees F for at least 3 minutes.
- Slice off the top of the onion to create a flat surface. Peel away the outer skin. Turn the onion cut-side down and make several evenly spaced cuts down into the onion starting 1/2 inch from the root. Continue making cuts between the first ones until you have 16 sections.
- Flip the onion over and gently separate the petals.
- In a large bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), thyme and oregano. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and almond milk until well combined.
- Place the onion in a separate bowl, cut-side up, and spoon the flour mixture over it. Make sure each petal is well covered. Flip and tap off excess flour. Dip the onion into the egg mixture then dredge it back in the flour mixture for a second coat.
- Now, you need to let the coating set. I usually chill the onion in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Spray the onion generously with oil from your spray bottle (this is the secret to a crispy texture).
- Create a foil sling for easy handling and place the onion cut-side up in the air fryer basket. Cook for 25 minutes (or stop when you see it golden and crispy). Don't forget to spray the onion 2 to 3 times during the cooking.
- Carefully remove the onion using the foil sling. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Can I use regular white flour for this recipe I don’t have any wheat on hand
Yes, you can use regular white flour instead of whole wheat flour for this recipe. Enjoy!
My family loved this!
So happy you liked it, thanks 🥰