Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe
Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, this Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe transforms the iconic restaurant appetizer into a lighter, at-home indulgence. Cooked to perfection without deep-frying, it’s a game day MVP.
A tender onion, spiced and coated in a crunchy shell, blooms open with irresistible flair. Served with a zesty dipping sauce, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
What You’ll Need for the Best Blooming Onion
- Large yellow onion – The star of the show, with layers perfect for blooming and crisping beautifully in the air fryer.
- Buttermilk – Tenderizes and adds a subtle tang that balances the spices.
- Egg – Helps bind the seasoned coating to each onion petal.
- Hot sauce – Adds a bold punch to the batter, enhancing flavor without overpowering.
- Flour – The base of the crispy crust that gives the onion its signature crunch.
- Spices (salt, garlic powder, cayenne, pepper) – Each adds depth and warmth, making every bite flavorful.
- Avocado oil spray – Essential for golden crispness without the need for deep frying.
How to Make It Bloom – A Quick Look
Begin by slicing your onion into petal-like sections, keeping the root intact to hold everything together. Soak the cut onion in buttermilk to soften and flavor it.
Mix your wet and dry batters separately, then coat the onion in both—first the buttermilk-egg-hot sauce mix, then the seasoned flour. Carefully coat each petal to ensure maximum crispiness.
Spray generously with avocado oil and air fry in two rounds—first to set the crust, then to deepen the golden color. While it crisps, whip up the creamy, spiced dipping sauce.
Once cooked, the blooming onion should be crisp outside and tender inside—ready to dip, pull apart, and devour.
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Bloom
To ensure a true “bloom” and crisp finish, take time with each coating step—gently separating petals and pressing flour into every crevice. This is the secret to a full, flavorful crust.
Don’t skip the chilling time in buttermilk. It not only infuses flavor but also softens the onion for a better texture post-air frying.
Spray oil is a must. It mimics the effect of deep-frying, ensuring each layer crisps up evenly. For an extra crunchy finish, consider a final light spray just before the second round of air frying.
For a spicier take, bump up the cayenne or choose a hotter sauce. For a milder version, just dial it down or skip it—this recipe is easy to customize.
Keeping the Leftovers Fresh
If you manage to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, skip the microwave—pop it back into the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to revive the crunch.
Freezing isn’t recommended, as the onion loses its texture and the coating can become soggy. This blooming onion is best enjoyed fresh, straight from the fryer.
Whether you’re throwing a game day bash, hosting a weekend gathering, or just craving a crispy snack, this air fryer blooming onion hits the spot—crunchy, flavorful, and way easier than the deep-fried version.
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Ingredients
For the Blooming Onion
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot Original or preferred hot sauce
- Spray avocado oil
- 1 large yellow onion approximately 1 pound; Vidalia, sweet yellow, or white
- 16 ounces buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic powder
Instructions
- Using a paring knife, carefully extract a ½-inch diameter core from the onion’s top center. Flip the onion and trim the long roots without removing the root base, which keeps the structure intact. Slice the onion vertically into approximately eight sections.
- Turn the onion upright and gently tease apart the segments to form “petals.” Submerge the onion in a bowl filled with buttermilk, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Remove the onion from the buttermilk, allowing it to drain. In the remaining buttermilk, blend in the egg and hot sauce to form the wet batter. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to prepare the dry coating.
- Thoroughly immerse the onion in the wet mixture, ensuring all petals are covered. Transfer to the dry mixture, meticulously coating each surface.
- Position the onion in the air fryer basket and apply a light mist of avocado oil spray. Air fry at 350°F for 20 minutes. Afterward, spray again, rotate if needed, and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.
- While the onion cooks, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until well blended.
- Serve immediately alongside the prepared dipping sauce.