Air-Fried Onion Loaf: Crispy, Golden, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and they make less of a mess. You can make a delicious onion loaf in your air fryer in just 30 minutes. Here's how:

First, cut off the top of a large onion, leaving the root end intact. Then, chop the onion into rough chunks. Fry the onion chunks in oil for about six minutes, or until softened. Next, add some flour and stir to coat the onions. In a separate bowl, mix together milk, flour, sugar, garlic salt, and pepper to make a batter. Add the floured onions to the batter and coat them evenly. Shape the battered onions into two small loaves and coat them with flour. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the onion loaves into the air fryer and cook for about five minutes, or until golden brown. Serve your onion loaf with your favourite dip and enjoy!

Choosing the right onion

First, consider the type of onion. While you can use any large onion for this recipe, sweet varieties like Vidalia or Spanish onions are ideal. Their milder flavour and flatter shape make them excellent choices. Vidalia onions, in particular, are known for their sweetness, which pairs well with the other ingredients. If you can't find Vidalia onions, look for other sweet onion varieties at your local market.

Next, pay attention to the size. For an onion loaf, you'll want to select a large onion. This will ensure that your onion loaf has a substantial size and presence on the plate. A large onion will also provide more "petals" to work with when cutting and shaping your onion.

When shopping, look for onions with dry, papery skins. Avoid onions with soft spots, sprouting, or signs of mould. The outer skin should be intact and not show any signs of damage or bruising. A firm onion with a tight, shiny skin is a good indication of freshness.

Additionally, consider the colour of the onion. For onion loaf, you generally want to choose an onion with a lighter colour. Yellow or white onions tend to have a stronger flavour, which may be overwhelming for some palates. Lighter-coloured onions, such as Vidalia or Spanish onions, often have a milder taste that appeals to a broader range of people.

Finally, when preparing your onion, be sure to cut off the top (stem end) to create a flat surface. This will help the onion sit flat and make it easier to cut and shape. Remember to leave the root end intact, as it holds the onion together.

By following these tips and choosing the right onion, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and impressive onion loaf in your air fryer!

Preparing the onion

First, you need to cut the onion. Using a sharp chef's knife, start by cutting a flat surface, about half an inch from the top of the onion (the stem end). Then, trim the root end just enough to allow the onion to sit flat—ensuring you never cut through the root, as this will hold the onion together. With the onion now sitting flat, make four slices down the onion, ensuring you don't cut all the way through. Then, make three slices between each of the original four slices. You should end up with eight to sixteen slices, depending on how many petals you want.

Next, turn the onion over and gently pull out the sections to separate the petals. The onion should now be in full bloom. If any petals are stuck together, carefully separate them.

Now it's time to coat the onion. Start by sprinkling flour over the onion, ensuring you get it in between all the petals. You can use a fork to help with this step. Then, turn the onion over and gently pat off any excess flour.

The next step is to prepare the egg wash. Whisk together eggs and a little water or milk in a bowl. Transfer the onion to another bowl and pour the egg mixture over it, ensuring all the petals are coated. Let the onion sit in the egg mixture for a few minutes.

It's now time for the final coating. You can use a mixture of breadcrumbs and spices or a packet of seasoned coating mix. Sprinkle the coating over the onion, ensuring all exposed parts are covered. You can also brush more of the egg mixture over any drier parts of the onion to help the coating stick.

Finally, place the onion in the refrigerator to set while you preheat the air fryer to around 350°F.

Making the batter

Firstly, you will need to prepare your onion. Cut off the top of the onion, leaving the root end intact. This will create a flat surface on the stem end of the onion. You want to ensure that you only cut off a small amount from the root end, just enough to allow the onion to sit flat. The root is crucial to the success of your onion loaf, as it holds the onion together. Place the onion stem side down and make four slices down the onion, ensuring you don't cut through the root. Then, make three more slices between each of the original four cuts, again being careful not to cut through the root. Once you've made these cuts, gently turn the onion over and use your fingers to separate the petals.

Now it's time to make the batter. In one bowl, mix together milk, flour, sugar, garlic salt, and pepper. You can adjust the amount of milk and flour to create a batter with your desired consistency. In a separate bowl, prepare your flour mixture by combining flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, turmeric, and black pepper. You can also add in any other spices or seasonings of your choice.

The next step is to coat the onion with the batter. Place the onion in a bowl, cut-side up, and sprinkle the flour mixture over it, ensuring you get it in between the onion petals. Use your fingers to separate the petals and sprinkle flour between each one. Once the onion is coated, turn it over and gently pat off any excess flour back into the bowl. Reserve the remaining flour mixture for later.

At this point, you can prepare an egg wash by whisking together egg, butter, and milk in a small bowl. Transfer the onion into a large bowl and pour the egg mixture over it, ensuring an even coat. Let the onion sit in the egg mixture for a few minutes, then remove it and let any excess drip off.

Now it's time for the second coat of batter. Sprinkle the reserved flour mixture over the onion, ensuring it reaches all exposed areas. You can also brush more of the egg mixture onto any drier parts of the onion to ensure a thorough coating. Place the onion in the refrigerator to set while you preheat your air fryer to 350°F.

Once your air fryer is preheated, remove the onion from the refrigerator and spray it generously with cooking oil. This step is crucial, as it helps to create a crispy texture and ensures the batter cooks evenly. Be sure to coat all visible flour with oil and check between the petals to wet any spots you may have missed.

Your onion is now ready for the air fryer! Place it cut-side up in the air fryer basket and air fry for 20-25 minutes at 300-350°F, depending on your air fryer's settings. During the cooking process, open the air fryer at least once and spray the onion with more cooking oil to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You now have a delicious onion loaf cooked in your air fryer. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Shaping the loaf

Shaping the onion loaf is a crucial step in the cooking process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to shape the onion loaf for your air fryer:

First, cut off about half an inch from the top of the onion, where the stem is. This creates a flat surface, which will be the base of your onion loaf. Be sure to use a sharp chef's knife for this step.

Next, carefully cut off a thin slice from the root end of the onion, just enough to allow the onion to sit flat. It is important not to cut too much, as the root will hold the onion together when you make the next cuts.

Now, with the onion stem side down, make four deep slices into the onion, ensuring you do not cut through the root. These slices should be evenly spaced, at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock.

Then, make three more slices between each of the original four slices, again being careful not to cut through the root. You should now have eight evenly spaced cuts.

Turn the onion over and gently pull out the sections to separate the onion petals. This will help the onion bloom and create a nice fanned-out shape.

At this point, you can use your fingers to gently separate any "petals" that are stuck together, ensuring the onion is fully bloomed. You can also let the onion sit for a few minutes to allow the petals to relax and open up further.

Now that you have shaped the onion, you can move on to the breading and frying process. Remember to be generous with the oil when cooking in the air fryer, as this will help the onion loaf crisp up and turn golden brown.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy onion loaf!

Cooking the loaf

Now that your onion is prepared, it's time to cook your onion loaf. If you're using a deep fat fryer, set it to 180°C / 350°F. If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to 300°F or 350ºF.

Once your fryer is ready, carefully place your onion loaf into the hot oil or the air fryer basket. If you're deep-frying, cook for around 5 minutes, turning your loaf halfway through. If you're using an air fryer, cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping the loaf 3-4 times to ensure even cooking.

If you're cooking in an air fryer, you may want to spritz your onion loaf with cooking oil before and during cooking to help achieve that crispy, golden texture and colour.

Your onion loaf is cooked when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove it from the fryer and place it on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.

Serve your onion loaf with your chosen sides and sauces, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions