Air Fryer Onion Chips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Making onion chips in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them in oil. You can use red, white, or yellow onions, or even shallots, and the process is simple. First, heat your air fryer to around 265F (130 C) while you thinly slice the onions. Then, spray the air fryer basket with oil and add the onions, giving them another spray and tossing them to ensure they're evenly coated. Cook for 25-30 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until the onions are golden brown and crispy.

Choosing the right onion

Yellow Onions:

Yellow onions are a versatile and classic choice for air-fried onion chips. They have a strong, sweet, and tangy flavour that becomes milder and sweeter when cooked. Yellow onions are ideal for caramelization due to their high sugar content and work well in soups, stews, sauces, and braises. They are your standard cooking onion and hold up well during the long, slow process of caramelization. When selecting yellow onions, look for those that are heavy for their size, firm, and without bruises. Store them whole in a cool, dry, dark place with the skin on and ensure good ventilation.

White Onions:

White onions have a strong, sharp, and pungent flavour with a crisp texture. They tend to have a less pronounced aftertaste compared to yellow onions. White onions are commonly used in Mexican cuisine and are excellent for raw applications such as salads, salsas, and garnishes. They pair well with strong-flavoured greens like kale or arugula. When choosing white onions, opt for those that are heavy for their size, firm, and free from bruises. Store them similarly to yellow onions, ensuring proper ventilation.

Red Onions:

Red onions offer a milder flavour profile compared to white onions, with a slight sweetness. They are known for their vibrant reddish-purple colour, which adds a pop of colour to dishes. Red onions are commonly used in raw preparations such as salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. They also work well for pickling, roasting, grilling, and adding to guacamole and salsa. When selecting red onions, look for those that are heavy, firm, and unbruised. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place with the skin on.

Sweet Onions:

If you prefer a sweeter flavour, opt for sweet onion varieties like Vidalia or Walla Walla onions. These onions have a low sulfur content and are excellent for eating raw in salads or on top of burgers. They also caramelize wonderfully and are a popular choice for onion rings. Sweet onions range in colour from white to yellow and are slightly squatter than yellow onions. When selecting sweet onions, look for firm, heavy onions without bruises. Store them wrapped in paper towels in the refrigerator crisper drawer, ensuring the vent is closed.

Scallions/Green Onions:

Scallions, also known as green onions, have a mild, onion-like flavour. They are commonly used in Chinese and Mexican cuisine, adding a crisp texture to dishes like soups, stir-fries, and garnishes. The entire part of a scallion can be eaten, either raw or cooked, although their flavour becomes milder the longer they are cooked. When selecting scallions, look for firm, bright white roots and store them in the refrigerator crisper drawer, ensuring proper air circulation.

Preparing the onion

First, you'll want to choose your onion. Yellow onions are a popular choice for their sweetness, but red, white, or even shallots can be used. Take your chosen onion and peel off the outer layer. Next, using a sharp chef's knife or a mandolin, slice the onion thinly and evenly. The slices should be around 3mm thick, and you'll want to aim for uniformity so that the onion cooks evenly. If you're making onion rings, trim one end of the onion and leave the other end intact. Then, slice the onion into rings, gently separating them before adding them to the air fryer.

Once you have your sliced or ringed onion, it's time to add some oil. Place the onion in a mixing bowl and drizzle a light coating of oil over the slices. You can use a cooking spray or olive oil, or even ghee if you prefer. Use a silicone spatula to mix well, ensuring that all the onion pieces are coated.

Now your onion is ready to go into the air fryer! Spread the onion pieces out evenly in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the onion in batches.

Adding oil and seasoning

The amount of oil you'll need depends on the type of onion you're using. For instance, if you're using a red onion, you'll need to add a bit more oil to achieve the same golden-brown colour as you would with a yellow onion.

If you're using a recipe that calls for a batter, you'll want to add the oil to the batter and then toss the onions in it. If you're not using a batter, you can toss the onions in a bowl with the oil and then add them to the air fryer.

You can also spray the air fryer basket with oil and then add the onions, tossing them to ensure they're evenly coated.

As for seasoning, salt is always a good option, and you can also try garlic powder, paprika, or even a custom blend of your favourite spices.

Air-frying the onion

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil
• Salt (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) or 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Thinly slice the onion using a mandolin or a sharp chef's knife.
• Place the sliced onions in a bowl and add the ghee or oil. Mix well using a silicone spatula.
• Add the onions to the air fryer basket, spreading them evenly.
• Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 20 minutes. Mix and spread them evenly every 5 minutes.
• Check for your desired level of crispiness. If you prefer them crunchier, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the onions from the air fryer and let them cool before serving or storing.

Tips:

• For even cooking, slice the onion thinly and evenly.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Mix and spread the onions every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Every air fryer works differently, so keep a close eye on the onions during the last 5 minutes and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Storing the onion chips

Once your onion chips are cooked, it's important to let them cool down completely before storing them. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will last in the fridge for about one week.

If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.

To save time on meal prep, you can make a big batch of onion chips and freeze them. Then, simply take out the desired amount and add them to your dishes as needed.

It's important to note that the texture of the onion chips may change after freezing, so they are best used in cooked dishes such as soups, stews, or casseroles.

Additionally, make sure to store your onion chips separately from potatoes, as potatoes can cause onions to spoil faster.

Frequently asked questions