Air Fryer Blooming Onion: A Tasty, Crispy Treat?

A blooming onion is a popular deep-fried appetizer that is crispy, salty, and delicious. It is usually found in restaurants, but now you can make it at home using an air fryer. The air fryer is perfect for crisping up appetizers like the blooming onion. It is healthier than deep-frying as it uses less oil. The key to making a blooming onion is cutting the onion into a blossom shape. The process is a bit messy, but the end result is a tasty treat that can be served with a dip.

Choosing the right onion

First, look for a large onion, preferably a sweet variety like Vidalia. Sweet onions have a milder flavour that complements the batter without overpowering it. They also contain fewer sulphur compounds, so they won't make you cry as much during the cutting process! Other sweet onion varieties you can use include Cannonball onions (in the UK) or any large white onion.

Second, the bigger the onion, the better. Larger onions create bigger petals, reducing the risk of them turning into wilted, crispy bits when fried. Aim for an onion weighing around 1lb/500g if possible.

Third, when selecting your onion, inspect it for any signs of damage or sprouting. Avoid onions with soft spots, wrinkles, or signs of mould. Look for firm, fresh onions with dry, papery skin.

Finally, you'll want to consider how many blooming onions you plan to make. This recipe typically uses one large onion, but if you're feeding a crowd or want leftovers, grab a few extra onions.

Remember, the key to a successful blooming onion is choosing the right type and size of onion and taking your time during the cutting and coating process. With the right ingredients and a little patience, you'll be well on your way to creating a restaurant-quality blooming onion in your air fryer!

How to cut the onion

To cut a blooming onion, you'll need to start with a large onion, preferably a sweet variety like Vidalia, Texas Sweet, or a 'cannonball onion'. You want to find the largest onion possible, as bigger onions create bigger petals and reduce the risk of them turning into wilted crispy bits when fried.

First, peel the onion and cut off the very tip (not the root). Place the onion with the root facing up. With a sharp knife, begin slicing around 1/2 inch away from the root in a circular motion, ensuring you do not cut into the root area, as this will hold the onion together. Make about 4 quarter slices, then about 3-4 slices in between, for a total of 12-16 slices, depending on the size of your onion.

Turn the onion over and gently spread out the petals. You can separate the petals further by plunging the onion into boiling water for a minute and then into ice water.

Now your onion is ready for breading and frying!

Preparing the onion for frying

The most important part of the blooming onion recipe is how to prepare the onion so it “blooms” correctly.

To start, cut off about half an inch from the top of the onion, then peel the outer skin from the onion. Place the onion cut-side down and make a downward cut all the way through to the board, ensuring your knife cuts into the middle of the onion. Make three more evenly spaced cuts around the onion, ensuring you don't cut through the root or too close to it. Then, make one additional cut between each section until you have eight evenly spaced cuts.

Turn the onion over and set it aside for about five minutes to allow the petals to relax. Before breading, use your fingers to gently separate the outer pieces. If any of the "petals" are stuck together, gently separate them so the onion can be in "full bloom."

Air-frying the onion

First, cut off the top of the onion, leaving the root end intact. Then, make 12 to 16 slices around the onion, starting about half an inch from the root. Be careful not to cut all the way through the root. Turn the onion over and gently separate the petals.

Next, prepare the coating. In one bowl, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and milk or water. You can also add butter to this mixture. Dip the onion into the egg mixture, then coat it with the flour mixture, using a spoon to fully cover it. You may need to use your fingers to separate the petals and sprinkle flour between them. Repeat this process a second time.

Now, chill the onion in the fridge for about 10 minutes to let the coating set. Then, spray the onion generously with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil. Place the onion in the air fryer basket, cut-side up, and cook at 350-375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Spray the onion with more oil 2-3 times during cooking to ensure even browning.

Once the onion is done, remove it from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Making the sauce

While the onion is air-frying, you can make the sauce or dip. The sauce is very easy to make and you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen. The ingredients include mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano. You can season with salt and pepper to taste.

For a spicier sauce, you can add cayenne pepper and black pepper. If you want to experiment with different flavors, you can add Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, or cayenne pepper.

Simply whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl and chill the sauce until the blooming onion is ready.

Frequently asked questions