Air-Frying Onions: The Perfect Timing Guide

Air fryer onions are a quick and easy way to add a delicious, crunchy and healthy topping to your burgers, hot dogs, salads, soups, and more. They are a great alternative to pan-fried onions as they require less oil and time and eliminate the need for standing over the stove.

How to make crispy onions in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 large yellow onion (about 2 cups sliced)
• 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. While the air fryer is heating up, thinly slice the onion using a mandolin or a sharp chef's knife. Place the sliced onions in a mixing bowl and add the ghee or oil, along with salt to taste. Mix well using a silicone spatula until the onions are evenly coated.

Next, add the onions to the air fryer basket, spreading them out evenly in a single layer. Air fry at 320°F for 20 minutes, mixing and spreading the onions every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the onions during the last 5 minutes, as you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your desired level of crispiness.

Once the onions are golden brown and crispy, they're ready to be served! These crispy onions make a delicious topping for burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more. They can also be used in various dishes, such as curries, marinades, and fried rice.

Tips:

• It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the onions in batches.
• For even cooking, mix and spread the onions every 5 minutes.
• Each air fryer is different, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
• You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or smoked paprika, to add extra flavor to your crispy onions.

How to caramelize onions in an air fryer

Caramelized onions are a great way to add flavour to burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, pasta, and more. Here's how to make them in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• One sweet onion (8 ounces/227 grams)
• One tablespoon of olive oil or your favourite cooking oil, such as avocado oil
• Salt to taste (co: 2>smoked salt is recommended)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370-400 F for 5 minutes.
• Peel and slice the onion into thin half-moons, about ⅛-inch (0.3 cm) thick.
• Place the sliced onions in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with salt. Toss until the onions are well-coated.
• Spread the onions out in the air fryer basket or tray. If using an air fryer oven, place the tray in the middle.
• Air fry the onions for a total of 12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177C). Stir the onions after 10 minutes.
• For golden brown onions, turn the heat down to 300 F (149 C) and air fry for another 5-10 minutes. For crispier onions, increase the air frying time.
• Check for doneness. The onions are ready when they are golden brown and caramelized. If they need more time, cook in 2-minute intervals to avoid burning.
• Transfer the onions to a bowl and enjoy them warm.

Tips:

• It's important to stir or shake the onions every few minutes to ensure even cooking.
• You can use any type of onion, but sweet onions caramelize the best.
• Avoid seasoning blends with added sugar, as they can cause the onions to burn.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3-4 months.

Air fryer temperature and time for onions

Air-fried onions are a versatile dish that can be used as toppings, in salads, dips, and even as a side dish. They are a healthier alternative to traditionally fried onions and can be made in a fraction of the time.

Ingredients

• Onions (any variety)
• Oil (olive, avocado, or cooking spray)
• Salt
• Seasoning of choice (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 300-400°F.
• Slice the onions thinly and evenly.
• Place the sliced onions in a bowl and add oil and seasoning. Mix well.
• Spread the onions in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Air fry for 10-20 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket every 5 minutes for even cooking.
• For golden brown and caramelized onions, reduce the temperature to 300°F and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes.
• For crispy onions, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• Serve warm or allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

Tips

• Larger onions are preferable as they are easier to slice evenly.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Different air fryers may vary in temperature and cooking time, so adjust accordingly.
• Onions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Oil-free air fryer onions

Air fryer onions are a great way to get that crispy, golden texture and flavour without the need for deep frying in oil. Using an air fryer means less time cleaning up and more time to enjoy your delicious dish.

Ingredients:

• One sweet onion (8 ounces/227 grams)
• Salt (smoked salt is recommended)
• Optional: garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, black pepper, or Everything Bagel seasoning.

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F.
• Peel and slice the onion into thin half-moons, about ⅛-inch (0.3 cm) thick.
• Place the onions in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and any other desired seasonings.
• Spread the onions out in the air fryer basket, or on an air fryer tray if using an air fryer oven.
• Air fry for a total of 12 minutes at 350°F (177°C). Stir the onions after 10 minutes.
• For golden brown onions, turn the heat down to 300°F (149°C) and air fry for another 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the onions during this stage to ensure they don't burn.

Tips:

• While it is possible to make air fryer onions without oil, adding a small amount of oil will help keep the onions from drying out and burning.
• Larger onions are preferable as they are easier to slice evenly, allowing them to cook more evenly.
• Be sure to stir or shake the air fryer basket every few minutes to ensure the onions cook evenly.
• Onions will shrink during cooking, so slice more than you think you will need.
• Leftover crispy onions can get soggy, so only make what you need.

Serving Suggestions:

• Burger toppings
• Salad or soup toppings
• Dips
• Roasted veggies
• Omelets or scrambled eggs
• Casseroles
• Fajitas
• Rice dishes

Air fryer dehydrated onions

Dehydrating onions in an air fryer is a great way to make crispy onions similar to those used for toppings. The air fryer's capabilities let you achieve the perfect crunch with minimal effort and oil.

Ingredients

• Onions (sweet onions are recommended for the best caramelization)
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray)
• Salt (optional)

Instructions

First, preheat your air fryer to 265°F (130°C) for 5 minutes. While the air fryer is heating up, slice your onions thinly and evenly. You can use a sharp chef's knife or a mandolin to get even slices.

Next, place the sliced onions in a bowl and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt if desired and toss to combine. Ensure that the onions are well-coated and glistening with oil.

Now, spread the onions out in the air fryer basket or tray. It's okay if they overlap a little as they will shrink down during cooking. If using an air fryer oven, place the tray in the middle.

Set your air fryer to a low temperature, ideally the lowest temperature setting available. Cook the onions for around 25-30 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The onions are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Note that air fryer dehydrated onions require frequent stirring compared to a food dehydrator, and you can only dehydrate a small batch of onions at a time.

Storage

Frequently asked questions