Description
A delicious and crispy blooming onion made in the air fryer, perfect for a snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or Walla Walla recommended)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or 2% works great)
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil spray (Avocado or canola oil spray works perfectly)
- For the dipping sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon creamy horseradish
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Slice about ½ inch off the top of the onion and peel off the outer skin. Place the onion cut-side down on a cutting board.
- Starting about ½ inch away from the root, make about 16 evenly spaced downward cuts, being careful not to slice all the way through the root.
- Turn the onion over and gently separate the petals.
- In a large, wide bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In a second large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and water until smooth.
- Dredge the onion first in the flour mixture, using a spoon to ensure it’s fully coated between all the petals. Shake off any excess.
- Next, submerge the floured onion in the egg wash, making sure every surface is wet. Let the excess drip off.
- Finally, place the onion back into the flour mixture for a final coat, gently pressing the flour into all the nooks and crannies.
- Place the fully coated onion in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to help the coating set and stick.
- While the onion chills, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the chilled onion from the fridge and generously coat the entire onion with cooking oil spray.
- Using a foil sling, carefully lower the onion, cut-side up, into the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes, spraying with oil 2-3 times during cooking for maximum crispiness.
- While the onion cooks, prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
- Serve the blooming onion hot from the air fryer with the chilled dipping sauce.
Notes
- Experiment with different spices in the flour mixture for added flavor.
- Ensure even coating to achieve a crispy crust.
- Adjust cooking time based on the size of the onion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg