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Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This healthier rendition of the iconic blooming onion appetizer employs the air fryer for a crisp, golden finish with significantly less oil. Ideal for entertaining or as a game day treat, this recipe mirrors restaurant quality with a homemade touch.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Inactive: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

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.

Notes

A 1-pound onion fits comfortably in most standard air fryers, such as the Ninja model. If your fryer is larger or you're using smaller onions, multiple onions may be prepared simultaneously, maintaining a 1-inch clearance around each.
Variations:
For a gluten-free version, substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
To reduce spice, omit the cayenne pepper from both the onion coating and the dipping sauce.
Tips:
Do not omit the avocado oil spray—it significantly enhances the final crispiness.
Ensure each petal is fully coated in both wet and dry mixtures for best results.