Crispy Mini Blooming Onions in Air Fryer Recipe
These Crispy Mini Blooming Onions are a delicious and fun appetizer made by coating small onions in a seasoned flour mixture, egg wash, and breadcrumbs before air frying them to golden, crispy perfection. Perfect as a snack or party treat, they offer a healthier alternative to deep-fried blooming onions without sacrificing crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Onions
- 4 small onions
Coating Mixtures
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Wet Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel the onions and trim off their tops. Carefully make vertical cuts into each onion to create petals, making sure to leave the root end intact to hold the petals together during cooking.
- Mix the Flour Coating: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and if desired, a pinch of cayenne pepper to add some heat.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk until smooth and well blended to create an egg wash for coating.
- Coat the Onions: Dip each onion first into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring all petals are well-coated. Then dip into the egg and buttermilk mixture. Finally, thoroughly coat the onions with breadcrumbs to add crispiness.
- Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the coated onions with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture. Arrange the onions in the air fryer basket so they sit upright and do not touch.
- Cook to Perfection: Air fry the onions for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Check for doneness and adjust time as needed based on your air fryer and onion size.
- Serve: Serve the mini blooming onions immediately while hot and crispy with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, barbecue, or aioli for a flavorful and satisfying appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, spicy mayo, or aioli to complement the crispy texture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
- Perfect as a party snack; guests will enjoy pulling apart the crispy onion petals.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
- Freezing is not recommended as it causes sogginess upon thawing.
- To keep onions from sticking together during storage, arrange them in a single layer.
- For a spicy variation, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture.
- Try Parmesan crusted or herb-infused breadcrumb coatings for extra flavor twists.
- For gluten-free diets, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
Keywords: Crispy Mini Blooming Onions, Air Fryer Onion Recipe, Appetizer, Snack, Party Food, Air Fried Onions, Crunchy Onion Petals
