Air-Fryer Onion Blossom: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Making an onion blossom in an air fryer is easier than you think. The trickiest part is cutting the onion, but it's not too difficult. First, cut a flat surface off the top of the onion, then cut as little as possible off the root end – just enough to allow the onion to sit flat. Make evenly spaced cuts around the onion, starting about half an inch from the root, and be careful not to cut through the root. Repeat to make four cuts, then turn the onion over and gently separate the petals with your fingers. Next, you'll need to coat the onion with a series of bowls containing flour, eggs, milk, and spices. Generously spray the onion with oil, then place it in the air fryer and cook at around 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Choosing the right onion

However, if you don't have access to sweet onions or prefer a more pungent flavour, you can also use yellow, white, or red onions. Just keep in mind that these varieties have a stronger flavour that may be too intense for some.

When selecting your onion, look for one that is large enough to make the necessary cuts and create the blooming effect. The size of the onion will also determine how many slices or petals you can create. For example, you may get 12-20 slices depending on the size, but making more slices can be more challenging to manage.

Additionally, ensure your onion is fresh and firm, which will make it easier to cut and help it hold its shape during the cooking process.

Once you've chosen the perfect onion, follow the steps outlined in the recipe to cut, coat, and cook it to perfection in your air fryer!

Cutting the onion

First, you will need to cut a nice, flat surface off the top of the onion (the stem end). You can use any large onion, but sweet varieties such as Vidalia are recommended for their milder flavour and flatter shape, which works well when cutting the petals.

Next, cut as little as possible off the root end—just enough to allow the onion to sit flat. The root is essential to the process, as it holds the onion together. You want to cut enough so that the onion can sit flat, but never cut through the root.

Now, place the onion stem side down on a 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 sure to leave a 1/2-inch gap between the cuts and the root. Then, make three more slices down the onion, between each of the original four slices, again keeping a 1/2-inch gap between the cuts and the root.

Turn the onion over and set it aside for 5 minutes. This allows the petals to relax and open up. You can use your fingers to gently separate the petals and remove any loose pieces in the centre.

Once the onion has bloomed, you are ready to coat it with your chosen breading or batter.

Preparing the coating

The coating for the blooming onion is a simple mixture of dry ingredients and wet ingredients. The dry ingredients include flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, and turmeric. Mix all of these ingredients together in a large bowl.

The wet ingredients include eggs, milk, and butter. You can also use almond milk or any other type of milk alternative. Whisk these ingredients together in a separate bowl.

Once you have your dry and wet mixtures ready, it's time to coat the onion. Place the onion in a clean bowl, cut-side up, and sprinkle the flour mixture over it, making sure to get it in between the layers of the onion. Use your fingers to separate each layer and sprinkle flour between each petal.

Dump the remaining flour over the whole onion and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, turn the onion over and gently pat off the excess flour. You want to make sure that the flour coats the petals without leaving large clumps between them.

Now, it's time for the wet mixture. Transfer the onion to a large bowl and pour the egg mixture over it, making sure to coat it evenly. Open each petal to ensure that the egg mixture soaks into every bit of flour. Let the onion sit in this mixture for a few minutes, then remove it and let the excess drip off.

For the second coat of breading, add a packet of seasoned coating mix to the leftover flour mixture. Place the wet onion into an empty bowl or onto a piece of aluminum foil and sprinkle the reserved flour and coating mixture over it. Again, make sure to coat all the exposed parts of the onion.

At this point, you can also brush more of the egg mixture over any drier parts of the onion to ensure that it's completely coated. Place the onion in the refrigerator while you preheat your air fryer.

Cooking the onion

Once you have prepared your onion, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Place the onion in the air fryer basket, cut side up. If you want to make removing the onion easier, you can create a foil sling by folding a piece of aluminium foil into a strip and placing it underneath the onion.

Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but you should fry the onion for around 20-25 minutes at 300-375°F. You should spray the onion with oil 2-3 times during the cooking process to ensure that it crisps up and browns evenly.

After 20 minutes, check the onion and decide if it is brown enough. When it is done, it will be golden brown and the tips of the petals will be starting to darken. If it needs a little longer, put it back in for a couple more minutes, checking it carefully so it doesn't burn.

When the onion is done, use the foil sling to lift it out of the basket and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with your chosen dipping sauce.

Making the sauce

While the onion is air-frying, you can make the sauce or dip. This can be a simple combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, paprika, and a little cayenne. You can also add in horseradish sauce, garlic powder, and dried oregano.

If you want to make a blooming onion sauce, you can mix together 1 tablespoon of horseradish, 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon of dried oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.

You can also make a simple fry sauce, or serve the onion with ketchup or mustard. A cheese sauce or a blue cheese dip is another great idea for a dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions