Air-Fried Onions: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Making fried onions in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve the perfect crunchy topping for burgers, salads, and rice dishes. With just a hint of oil, you can get crispy, caramelized onions without the need for deep frying. This method also reduces the cooking time and the amount of standing over the stove required.

Choosing the right onion

Yellow onions are the most common variety and are a good all-purpose cooking onion. They have a sharp, mildly spicy flavour with a sweet edge. When cooked, they lose their sharpness and turn sweet and light brown. They are a good choice for frying, especially for making onion rings, and they work well in French onion soup. Yellow onions are also a good choice if you want your fried onions to be a golden brown colour.

Sweet onions are similar to yellow onions but have a distinct flavour that is better for certain dishes. They have thick layers, which makes them great for slicing into rings. Their high sugar and low sulphur content make them very sweet without being too pungent or spicy. They are a great choice for frying, especially for onion rings, and are perfect for French onion soup. They are also good for roasted vegetables and meat roasts.

White onions are less common and are used mostly in Mexican cooking. They are the largest variety and have a thin, papery skin. They are sharp, astringent, and not very sweet, but they are super crispy because of their high water content. They are a good choice for salsa, stir-fry, or chutney, and they go well in white sauces, potato and pasta salads.

Red onions have a milder taste and smell compared to other varieties, and they are less pungent than yellow onions. They are a favourite topping for salads, sandwiches, burgers, and guacamole. They are also a good choice if you want your fried onions to be a darker brown colour.

Shallots are not technically onions, but they have a similar flavour and are less overpowering. They are sweet with a little bit of spiciness and are a good choice for vinaigrette and mignonette. They are also great in quiche or other egg dishes.

Cipolline onions are naturally petite and squat and are more sugary than big onions, which makes them ideal for roasting whole until caramelised. They can also be roasted, braised, pickled, creamed, glazed, or confited.

Preparing the onion

Firstly, select your onions. You can use any type of onion for this recipe, including red, white, or yellow onions, as well as sweet onions like Vidalia. If you want to make a large batch, you will need around 2 to 5 onions, depending on their size.

Next, peel the onions and trim off one end, leaving the other end intact to provide a handle for holding the onion while slicing. Using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife, cut the onion into thin, even slices, preferably around 3mm thick. The mandolin helps achieve uniform round slices, which is important for even cooking in the air fryer. If using a knife, aim for slices of consistent thickness. Separate the onion rings gently before placing them in the air fryer.

Now, place the sliced onions in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle or spray a small amount of cooking oil over the onions. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or any neutral oil with a high smoke point. Use a silicone spatula to gently toss and coat the onion slices evenly with oil.

At this stage, you can also add seasonings to enhance the flavour of the fried onions. A sprinkle of salt is a must, and you can also add garlic powder, paprika, or freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra kick. If you want to stick to a more traditional flavour, you can use ghee instead of oil and a pinch of kosher salt.

Once your onions are prepared and seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer basket and cooked according to your preferred recipe instructions.

Adding oil and seasoning

Firstly, you should thinly slice your onions. You can do this with a sharp knife or a mandolin. The thinner the slices, the crispier your onions will be. Then, place the sliced onions into a large mixing bowl.

Now it's time to add the oil. Drizzle a little oil into the bowl. You don't need much – just enough to coat the onions. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Give the bowl a good toss until the onion slices are completely coated. You can also add a sprinkle of salt to take things to the next level.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different seasonings. Try adding some garlic powder, paprika, or freshly grated parmesan cheese. If you're feeling bold, you can even sprinkle on some umami powder.

Once your onions are coated, they're ready to go into the air fryer. But don't forget to preheat your air fryer first!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making fried onions in an air fryer vary depending on the desired level of crispiness and browning. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer between 300°F and 400°F for about 5 minutes.
• Prepare the onions: Peel and slice the onions thinly. You can use yellow, white, or red onions, depending on your preference. Thinner slices will result in softer and browner onions.
• Add oil and seasonings: Place the sliced onions in a mixing bowl and drizzle with a small amount of oil (such as olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil). You can also add seasonings like salt, garlic powder, or onion powder. Toss the onions to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Cook the onions: Place the onions in the air fryer basket and spread them evenly. The cooking temperature can vary between 240°F and 350°F. Cook for about 10 minutes at 300°F, then reduce the temperature to 240°F and continue cooking until crispy. Alternatively, you can cook at a consistent temperature between 320°F and 350°F for about 20 minutes.
• Stir and flip the onions: During the cooking process, it is important to stir or flip the onions every 4 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning. This helps prevent overheating and promotes even texture and color.
• Check for doneness: Depending on your desired level of crispiness and browning, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Check the onions regularly during the last 5 minutes of cooking and add or reduce the time as needed.
• Serve or store: Once the onions are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately, or let them cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Storing your fried onions

Letting the Onions Cool

Before storing your fried onions, it is crucial to let them cool down completely. Place the onions on a plate or a wire rack to allow them to reach room temperature. Do not cover them or put them in a container until they are no longer hot. This step is essential to prevent condensation, which can make your onions soggy.

Choosing the Right Container

Once the onions are cooled, it's time to select an appropriate storage container. Choose an airtight container made of glass or plastic. Ensure the container has a tight-fitting lid to keep out moisture and air, which can cause the onions to become soft or spoil.

Storing in the Refrigerator

Place the container of fried onions in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and crispy for up to one week when stored properly. If you don't plan to use them within a week, consider freezing them for longer-term storage.

Freezing Fried Onions

If you want to store your fried onions for longer than a week, freezing is a great option. Place the airtight container of fried onions in the freezer, where they will retain their freshness for up to four months. Alternatively, you can transfer the fried onions to freezer-safe bags or containers, ensuring they are labelled and dated.

Tips for Long-Term Storage

For those seeking to store fried onions for an even longer period, there are a few additional considerations:

• Moisture: Frying onions reduces moisture, but if you are storing larger onion rings or slices, they may still contain excess moisture, leading to quicker spoilage.
• Oxygen: Oxygen can cause the oil in fried onions to turn rancid. To prevent this, consider using an oxygen scavenger packet in your storage container or replacing the oxygen with dry nitrogen gas.
• Light: Light exposure can also impact the quality of your fried onions. Store them in a brown glass bottle or opaque container to prevent light-related spoilage.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your homemade fried onions for weeks or even months, adding a delicious crunch to your favourite dishes whenever you crave them!

Frequently asked questions