Air-Fryer Blooming Onions: The Perfect Timing

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying blooming onions, which are typically served as appetizers in restaurants. The high heat of an air fryer is perfect for crisping up the onion petals without the need for excessive oil. While the exact cooking time may vary depending on the desired level of doneness, most recipes recommend air frying a blooming onion for around 20 to 25 minutes at a temperature between 300 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Choosing the right onion

When it comes to choosing the right onion for your air fryer blooming onion, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a large onion, as this will give you more "petals" to work with and create a more impressive presentation. Secondly, the type of onion you choose will depend on your preferred taste and flavour profile. Here are some common types of onions and their characteristics:

• Yellow Onions: These are the most commonly used onions in the US and are quite versatile. They have a sharp, mildly spicy flavour with a hint of sweetness. While their taste may be too strong to eat raw, they become sweeter and more mild when cooked. Yellow onions are an excellent choice for meat dishes, sauces, stews, and soups.
• Sweet Onions: Also known as Vidalia onions or Walla Walla onions, these onions are fragrant and sweet. They are a great option for making onion rings or any dish that includes fried onions. Sweet onions are versatile and work well in roasted vegetable dishes and meat roasts. They also have fewer sulphur compounds, so they may be a good choice if you're looking to avoid tears while chopping.
• White Onions: White onions have a crunchy and sharp taste. They are commonly used in Mexican cuisine and are ideal for making salsa, stir-fries, or chutney. White onions are larger in size and not very sweet, making them a good choice for white sauces, potato salads, and pasta salads.
• Red Onions: Red onions have a milder taste and smell compared to other varieties. They are excellent for raw applications, such as salads, sandwiches, burgers, and guacamole. Red onions also add a beautiful pop of colour to your dishes.

While the type of onion you choose is important, don't stress too much about it. In general, different kinds of onions are interchangeable. If a recipe calls for a white onion and you only have yellow onions, or vice versa, it's usually fine to make a substitution. Just keep in mind that each type of onion may have a slightly different flavour profile and adjust your seasonings accordingly.

When selecting your onion, look for firmness, a mild scent, and a crackly outer skin. Avoid onions with dark spots or signs of mould. Store any unused portions in a cool, dark area, as the refrigerator may cause them to spoil more quickly and transfer their odour to other foods.

Preparing the onion

First, cut off about half an inch from the top of the onion and remove the outer skin. It is important to note that you should not cut through the root or too close to it, as this will hold the onion together. Place the onion with the cut side down and make a downward cut about half an inch from the root, all the way through to the board. Make sure your knife cuts into the middle of the onion, and all your cuts should meet in the middle. Repeat this process to make four evenly spaced cuts around the onion. Then, make additional cuts between each section until you have 8-16 evenly spaced cuts, depending on the size of your onion.

Once you've made all the cuts, turn the onion over and set it aside for a few minutes to allow the petals to relax and start to open up. After that, use your fingers to gently separate the outer pieces and make the onion bloom. You can also use a fork to gently separate the petals if they seem stuck together.

At this point, your onion is ready for breading. You can sprinkle flour or a flour mixture over the onion, making sure to get it in between the layers and petals. You can also dip the onion in an egg wash or milk mixture to help the breading stick and create an even coating. After breading, place the onion in the refrigerator while preheating your air fryer to 300-375°F.

Overall, preparing the onion for a blooming onion recipe involves careful cutting to create the "bloom" effect, followed by breading and chilling before air frying.

Battering the onion

Firstly, prepare your onion by cutting off about half an inch from the top and removing the outer skin. Place the onion with the cut side down and make four evenly spaced cuts, ensuring you don't cut through the root. Turn the onion over and create eight evenly spaced cuts by making additional slices between each section. This process will help the onion "bloom" by creating petals. Allow the onion to rest for a few minutes, giving the petals time to relax and open up.

Now, it's time to create the dredges and washes. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, turmeric, and black pepper. You can also add salt to taste. In a separate small deep bowl, prepare the wet mixture by whisking together the egg, melted butter, and milk.

For the battering process, start by placing the onion in a large clean bowl, cut side up. Sprinkle the flour mixture generously over the onion, ensuring it gets in between the layers and petals. Use your fingers or a fork to separate the petals and evenly distribute the flour. Don't worry if there are some clumps at this stage.

Once the onion is coated in flour, gently turn it over and pat off the excess back into the bowl. You want to ensure a thin, even coating without large clumps. Reserve the remaining flour mixture for later.

Now, it's time for the egg wash. Transfer the onion to a large bowl and pour the egg mixture over it, ensuring the egg coats the onion evenly, including the areas between the petals. Let the onion sit in the egg wash for a few minutes, allowing the petals to soak up the mixture. Then, remove the onion and let any excess drip off.

For the final step of battering, add the packet of seasoned coating mix (or breadcrumbs) to the leftover flour mixture. Place the wet onion into an empty bowl or on a piece of aluminium foil, and sprinkle the reserved flour and coating mixture over it. Avoid sprinkling the mixture between the petals, as it will make it difficult to spray with cooking oil later. You can use a brush to apply more egg mixture to any drier parts of the onion to ensure a thorough coating.

After battering, place the onion in the refrigerator while you preheat your air fryer to 300°F (or 350°F, depending on the recipe). This step will help the batter set and ensure the onion stays moist during cooking.

Once the air fryer is preheated, remove the onion from the refrigerator and spray it generously with cooking oil. Be sure to soak all visible flour with oil and check between the petals for any spots that need additional oil. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy texture.

Now your onion is ready for the air fryer! Place it cut-side up in the air fryer basket, preferably on a piece of foil for easy removal. Air fry at 300°F (or 350°F) for 20 minutes, occasionally spraying the onion with cooking oil during the cooking process. Keep an eye on it, and add a couple more minutes if needed to reach the desired golden brown colour.

And that's it! You now have a beautifully battered blooming onion, ready for seasoning and serving with your favourite dipping sauce. Enjoy the crispy, juicy, and healthier version of this restaurant-style appetizer!

Air-frying the onion

Now that the onion is prepared, it's time to bread it. Firstly, make your dredges and washes. In one bowl, whisk together your flour and spices. In another bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, and butter (you can substitute some or all of the milk for beer if you prefer). Next, place the onion in a clean bowl, cut-side up, and sprinkle the flour mixture over it, making sure to get in between the layers. Turn the onion over and gently pat off any excess flour, then transfer it to the bowl with the egg mixture and coat it evenly. Open each petal to ensure that the egg mixture soaks into every bit of flour.

Once the onion is coated in the egg mixture, it's time for the second coat of breading. Add a packet of seasoned coating mix to the leftover flour mixture and sprinkle this over the onion, making sure to coat all the exposed areas. You can also brush more egg mixture over any drier parts of the onion. Place the onion in the refrigerator while you preheat your air fryer to 300-375°F.

Finally, it's time to air-fry the onion. After preheating your air fryer, remove the onion from the refrigerator and spray it generously with cooking oil. Place the onion in the air fryer basket, cut-side up, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. You may need to spray the onion with more cooking oil a few times during the cooking process to ensure it crisps up evenly. Once it's done, remove the onion from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Serving the onion

Now that your onion is cooked, it's time to serve it. You can serve it with your favourite dipping sauce. Some suggestions include a blooming onion sauce, fry sauce, ketchup, mustard, or cheese sauce.

If you want to make your own sauce, you can whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Season with salt to taste.

If you're serving the onion to guests, you might want to consider presentation. You could place the onion on a bed of lettuce or another type of greenery to add some colour to the plate. You could also add a slice of lemon or other citrus fruit as a garnish.

If you're serving the onion as an appetiser or side dish, you might want to consider what other foods you're going to serve with it. Some suggestions include chicken nuggets, buffalo cauliflower, bacon-wrapped pineapple bites, or onion rings.

Finally, don't forget to clean up after yourself! Put any leftover onion in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for about five days. Wash up any dishes and utensils, and wipe down any surfaces you've used.

Frequently asked questions