Air Fryer Blooming Onion: A Tasty, Crispy Treat?

Blooming onions are a popular deep-fried appetizer, often served in restaurants. They are usually loaded with calories and oil. However, you can make a healthier version of this crispy and juicy dish in an air fryer. While it may seem like an intimidating task, it is actually quite simple. You can use a large sweet onion, flour, eggs, milk, and various seasonings to make this delicious appetizer. The high heat of the air fryer is perfect for crisping up the onion, and it can be served with a dipping sauce.

How to cut the onion

To cut the onion, start by making a tiny slit across the tip (not the root) of your onion and peeling the brown shell away. Place the onion with the root facing up. With a knife, begin slicing about half an inch to an inch away from the root in a circular motion. You should be able to create 12 to 16 even slices, depending on the size of your onion. Turn the onion and gently spread out the petals.

To help keep the onion petals separate, you can plunge the onion into boiling water for a minute and then into ice water. This will make the petals easier to coat and air fry.

Another method to cut the onion is to use an apple corer or paring knife to remove a 1-inch-diameter core from the middle of the onion, leaving the very bottom of the root end intact. Use a large sharp knife to slice about three-fourths of the way down the centre of the onion. Turn the onion 90 degrees and slice again. Keep slicing each section in half until you have 16 sections, being careful not to cut through the bottom of the onion.

The best cooking oil to use

When preparing your blooming onion for the air fryer, you will need to spray the onion generously with cooking oil. This is important to help the flour mixture stick to the onion and to create a crispy texture. Be sure to spray all the flour mixture that you can see, and also check in between the petals and spray any other flour spots. You can also spray the onion a few times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.

Some recipes suggest using an egg and milk wash, or even substituting some of the milk for beer, which will also require a generous drizzling of oil to create that crispy, golden-brown finish.

It is important to note that air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, so you will not need to use a large amount of oil to cook your blooming onion. However, do not skimp on the oil, as it is necessary to get the onion to crisp up properly.

Dipping sauce recipes

There are several dipping sauce recipes that you can make to accompany your air-fried blooming onion. Here are some options:

Outback Steakhouse Copycat Blooming Onion Sauce

This sauce is designed to taste like the one served at Outback Steakhouse. It is creamy and tangy and can be made in just 5 minutes. It is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian as written, and can be made vegan by substituting a plant-based mayonnaise. For a keto or low-carb option, choose a no-sugar-added ketchup.

To make this sauce, combine the following ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or a plant-based alternative
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2-3 teaspoons horseradish
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Add the horseradish a teaspoon at a time, tasting as you go, until you reach your desired flavour. This sauce is best when prepared at least 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Chipotle Aioli

This sauce is mentioned by a blogger who created a lightened-up version of the blooming onion in an air fryer. They recommend serving it with a simple chipotle aioli dip, which they say goes perfectly with the onion. Unfortunately, they do not provide a recipe for the dip, but you could try finding one online or experimenting with your own creation.

Homemade Blooming Onion Sauce

A blogger who created an air fryer blooming onion recipe includes a recipe for a blooming onion sauce, which they say is similar to what you would get at your local steakhouse. Unfortunately, they do not provide the full recipe, but they do mention that it includes mayonnaise, horseradish sauce, ketchup, paprika, salt, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. They recommend stirring these ingredients together in a small bowl and chilling the sauce until the onion is ready.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for a blooming onion in an air fryer depend on the size of the onion and the brand of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook a blooming onion at 300–375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes.

For a more well-done blooming onion, you can cook it for an additional couple of minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning. It is also important to preheat the air fryer for 10 minutes before cooking.

Additionally, the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the onion. For a larger onion, it may take longer to cook, while a smaller onion may cook faster.

It is also worth noting that air fryers can vary in size and shape, which can affect the cooking time and temperature. If the onion appears to be frying too quickly in certain spots and not enough in others, you can try reducing the temperature or rotating the onion during the cooking process.

How to make it gluten-free

Yes, you can cook a blooming onion in an air fryer. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, peel the onion and trim the side with the root to make it more flat and even. Cut off the pointy stem end, about an inch from the root. Then, make four evenly spaced cuts down from the root to the other end. Turn the onion a half-turn and repeat, creating four quarters while keeping the core intact. Cut each quarter into thirds, resulting in twelve pieces. Gently separate these pieces into petals.

Next, prepare the batter by whisking together the gluten-free flour, salt, and any other desired seasonings. You can add vinegar and water to the flour mixture, or milk and egg, to create a thick batter. Alternatively, you can dip the onion in flour, then coat it with a beaten egg using a basting brush, and finally, sprinkle or dip it in gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Before placing the onion in the air fryer, create a sling out of aluminum foil to prevent burning yourself when transferring the onion. Place the onion cut side up in the air fryer basket. Spray the onion with cooking oil to ensure even cooking and browning. Set the timer for 20 to 25 minutes, and cook at a temperature between 350 to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check the onion halfway through the cooking process, as air fryers vary in heat output. The onion is ready when it is golden brown and starting to darken slightly at the tips of the petals. Use the foil sling to carefully remove the onion from the air fryer, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

You can serve the gluten-free blooming onion with a dip of your choice. Some suggestions include chipotle aioli, a mixture of mayonnaise, horseradish sauce, ketchup, and spices, or a traditional blooming onion sauce. Enjoy this delicious, crispy, gluten-free treat!

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