Air fryer blooming onion is a crispy, flavorful appetizer that's perfect for sharing. Made with a sweet yellow onion coated in seasoned flour and air-fried to golden perfection, it delivers all the crunch of the classic without the deep fryer. Paired with a creamy, zesty dipping sauce, it's an irresistible treat.
This recipe takes just 10 minutes of prep and uses simple pantry spices for a bold, savory coating. The air fryer makes the process easy and less messy, while still giving you that satisfying crispy texture.
Love air fryer appetizers? Try these toasted air fryer ravioli or these air fryer jalapeno poppers too!
It's a fun appetizer for parties, game nights, or anytime you're craving something crunchy and bold. Serve it hot with the dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing snack that disappears fast.
Ingredients
For the Blooming Onion:
- Large sweet yellow onion
- Milk
- Egg
- Flour
- Salt
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Cumin
- Cooking spray
For the Dipping Sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Creamy horseradish sauce
- Ketchup
- Paprika
- Salt
- Oregano
- Black pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Use these easy instructions to make your own air fryer blooming onion.
Step one: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees and spray the basket with non-stick spray.
Step two: In a medium size bowl, whisk together the flour and spices. Set aside.
Step three: In another medium size bowl, combine the milk and egg and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Step four: Using a small pairing knife or apple corer - remove the center of the onion but do not puncture through the bottom. Keep the root part of the onion intact.
Step five: Flip the onion over so that the cut top is facing down and you can see the root. Using a knife, cut the onion approximately one half of an inch below the root - cut the onion in slices equally all the way around the root to create 16 equal size sections.
Step six: Flip the onion back over and carefully separate out all the layers.
Step seven: Dip the onion in the milk mixture. Then dip the onion into the dry ingredients. Flip it over to coat all sides and then carefully separate the layers and sprinkle additional dry mixture in the crevices. Repeat dipping in the milk and dry ingredients one more time to thoroughly coat the onion layers.
Step eight: Liberally spray the onion with non-stick spray. Transfer the onion to the basket of the air fryer. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
Step nine: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all the dip ingredients. Stir to combine.
Hint: Once the onion is cooked, pull apart and enjoy!
Storage
While the blooming onion is best enjoyed right away, you can store it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dipping sauce can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- 2 Medium Bowls
- Pairing Knife or Apple Corer
Ingredients
Blooming Onion
- 1 large Sweet Yellow Onion
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon Thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon Cumin
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees and spray the basket with non-stick spray.
- In a medium size bowl, whisk together the flour and spices. Set aside.
- In another medium size bowl, combine the milk and egg and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Cut one inch off the top of the onion and discard the outer dry layer(s).
- Using a small pairing knife or apple corer - remove the center of the onion but do not puncture through the bottom. Keep the root part of the onion intact.
- Flip the onion over so that the cut top is facing down and you can see the root. Using a knife, cut the onion approximately one half of an inch below the root - cut the onion in slices equally all the way around the root to create 16 equal size sections.
- Flip the onion back over and carefully separate out all the layers.
- Dip the onion in the milk mixture. Then dip the onion into the dry ingredients. Flip it over to coat all sides and then carefully separate the layers and sprinkle additional dry mixture in the crevices.
- Repeat dipping in the milk and dry ingredients one more time to thoroughly coat the onion layers.
- Liberally spray the onion with non-stick spray.
- Transfer the onion to the basket of the air fryer.
- Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all the dip ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Once the onion is cooked, pull apart and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
