Air-Fried Blooming Onion: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Making a blooming onion in an air fryer is easier than you think. The trickiest part is cutting the onion, but with a good sharp knife and a steady hand, you'll be able to create a beautiful blooming effect. The key is to cut the onion into thin slices, making sure not to cut through the root, which holds the onion together. Once you've mastered the cutting technique, the rest is simple. You'll need a few bowls for dredging the onion in flour, egg, and milk, and then it's into the air fryer. The high heat of the air fryer will give you a crispy, golden-brown blooming onion that's perfect for serving as an appetizer or snack.

Choosing the right onion

Sweet onions, such as Vidalia onions, are a popular choice for blooming onions because they have a milder and sweeter flavour that appeals to a wider range of people. They also tend to be wider and flatter, which works well when cutting the onion into the flower shape. Yellow and white onions have a stronger flavour that may be too intense for some people, but they can also be used if you prefer their taste.

When selecting an onion, look for one with a nice, flat surface on the top (the stem end). This will help you create a flat base for the onion to sit on while you cut it. You want the onion to be stable so that you can make precise cuts.

Before cutting the onion, trim a nice flat surface off the top (stem end) and just enough off the root end so that the onion can sit flat. The root is essential to the success of cutting the blooming onion properly. You need to ensure that the root holds the onion together, so be careful not to cut through it.

Once you have selected and trimmed your onion, you can move on to the cutting process, which is the key to creating the blooming effect. Follow a blooming onion cutting guide or video tutorial for the best results.

How to cut the onion

The trickiest part of making a blooming onion is cutting it, but it's not too difficult. The key to getting a good-looking blooming onion is not cutting into the root area of the onion. The root area will hold the entire onion together.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut the onion:

• Start by cutting off 1/2 to 1 inch from the top of the onion (the stem end). This will create a nice, flat surface.
• Next, cut as little as possible off the root end. Just enough so that the onion can sit flat. Make sure you never cut through the root, as this will hold the onion together.
• Place the onion stem side down on the cutting board with the root end facing up.
• Make your first four slices down the onion at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Be careful not to cut through the root.
• Now, make three slices down the onion between each of the original four slices, again being careful not to cut through the root.
• Turn the onion over, and gently separate the onion petals with your fingers. You can also use a fork to help with this step.
• If any of the "petals" are stuck together, gently separate them so that the onion is in full bloom.

At this point, your onion should be open and ready for breading. Remember, the key to this step is to ensure you don't cut through the root, as this will hold the onion together.

Tips for Cutting the Onion:

• Use a sharp chef's knife with a pointed end for better precision.
• Rinsing the onion under cold water can help reduce tears while cutting.
• Give the onion enough time to open up and relax after cutting; this will make it easier to coat the petals during the breading process.
• If you want more petals for maximum crispness, you can make additional cuts for a total of 12-20 slices. However, this will be more difficult to manage, so it's recommended to stick to 8 or 16 petals.

Preparing the batter

The batter for the blooming onion is a simple mixture of dry and wet ingredients. The dry ingredients include flour, salt, and various spices, while the wet ingredients consist of eggs, milk, and sometimes water or butter. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the batter:

• Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and various spices, such as cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and cumin. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly distributed. You can also add additional spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavour.
• Prepare the egg wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until they are thoroughly combined. You can also add a small amount of water (about 1 tablespoon) to the egg wash to thin it out slightly. For a richer flavour, you can substitute butter for the milk.
• Slice the onion: Before coating the onion in the batter, it's important to cut it properly. Start by slicing off about 1/2 to 1 inch from the top of the onion to create a flat surface. Then, carefully slice the onion into even sections, making sure not to cut through the root. The number of sections can vary, but aim for 8 to 16 slices.
• Coat the onion: Dip the sliced onion into the milk and egg mixture first, ensuring it is well coated. Then, sprinkle the flour mixture over the onion, making sure to get it in between the layers and separating the petals as needed. You can use a fork or your fingers to gently separate the petals and ensure an even coating.
• Repeat the process: After coating the onion with the flour mixture, dip it back into the egg wash. This double coating will ensure a crispier and more flavourful final product. You can also let the onion sit in the egg wash for a few minutes to allow the batter to soak in.
• Final flour coating: Transfer the onion to a clean bowl or surface and sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over it. Make sure to coat all the petals and exposed areas of the onion. Gently tap or shake off any excess flour before placing the onion in the air fryer.
• Spray with oil: Generously spritz or brush the onion with cooking oil. This step is crucial, as it will help the onion brown and crisp up properly during air frying. Be sure to get oil in between the petals and on any spots with visible flour.

Air-frying the onion

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 300°F to 400°F, but most opt for 350°F for 10 minutes.

Now, it's time to prepare the onion for frying. Generously spritz or spray the onion with oil. Be sure to get oil into all the nooks and crannies—this will ensure that the onion browns and crisps properly. You can also spritz the onion with oil during the cooking process, especially if you notice any spots with visible flour.

Place the onion in the air fryer basket, cut-side up. If you're worried about getting the onion into and out of the hot air fryer without burning yourself, you can create an aluminium foil sling. Simply fold a sheet of aluminium foil into a strip about 3 inches wide and place it under the onion.

Air-fry the onion for 20-25 minutes. Check on it regularly and spritz with more oil if needed. You'll know the onion is done when it's golden brown and starting to darken at the tips of the petals.

Remove the onion from the air fryer using the aluminium foil sling, if you made one, and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.

Making the sauce

While the onion is air-frying, you can make the sauce. The sauce is very easy to make and you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen already. Here is a basic recipe for the sauce:

• 1 tablespoon horseradish
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• Black pepper to taste
• Cayenne pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, then cover and place in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve the onion.

You can also add mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and paprika to the sauce for a different flavour. Here are the ingredients you will need:

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste

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

You can also try the Outback Steakhouse secret sauce, which is a popular dip for blooming onions.

Frequently asked questions