A beautiful air fryer blooming onion cooked to perfection
AirFryerRecipe.co.uk
Healthy Appetizers
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Emma Lawson | 
15.07.2025

Blooming Onion in the Air Fryer Recipe

Experience the delightful flavours of a blooming onion in the air fryer, a crispy and healthy treat without the need for deep frying. This air fryer onion blossom is perfect as an appetizer or a crispy side dish that all will love. Discover how to make this no egg air fryer blooming onion with a seasoned breadcrumb coating, and enjoy a healthier version of your favourite blooming onion recipe.
Prep Time
10m
Cook
20m
Total Time
30m
Yield
serves 4
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Appetizers
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Vegetables

Ingredients Needed for Blooming Onion

Essential Ingredients for Your Onion Flower

  • 1 large sweet onion
  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • Olive oil spray

Dipping Sauce

Consider serving your blooming onion with a homemade sriracha mayo. This simple dipping sauce blends sriracha and mayonnaise for a spicy kick that complements the onion’s flavours perfectly. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste by altering the sriracha amount.

Why Use Sweet Onions

Sweet onions are ideal for blooming onions as their size allows for the classic petal shape, and their mild sweetness balances the savoury breadcrumb coating. Furthermore, they hold up well during cooking, providing a tender but structured snack.

Steps to Prepare a Crispy Onion Flower

To make your blooming onion in the air fryer, start by preparing the onion and coating it in a seasoned breadcrumb mix before cooking.

  1. Peel the onion and cut into a blooming shape, being careful not to slice all the way through.
  2. Soak the onion in buttermilk for 10 minutes.
  3. Mix breadcrumbs, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl.
  4. Coat the onion in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring all petals are covered.
  5. Spray with olive oil and place in the air fryer.
  6. Cook at 175°C (350°F) for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Crispy, Not Burnt

Ensure even coating and carefully monitor cooking to avoid burning the delicate onion petals, resulting in a perfectly crispy air fryer onion flower.
A close-up of the air fryer blooming onion ready to serve

Nutrition for Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Calories: 320 | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 43g | Fat: 15g

Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Onion Appertizer

Pair this air fryer onion appetizer with a creamy dipping sauce of your choice, like ranch, to enhance the flavour. Add some fresh cut vegetables on the side for a refreshing crunch and complete your platter with additional appetisers like air-fried vegetable sticks or chicken wings.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This blooming onion in the air fryer is the perfect marriage of taste and health. With less oil than traditional methods, you're enjoying a healthy blooming onion recipe without sacrificing flavour. The crunchy exterior paired with a soft, flavourful inside makes it a favourite at gatherings. Discover more exciting air fryer recipes at airfryerrecipe.co.uk. Make this your go-to air fryer onion blossom recipe by spreading the joy from airfryerrecipe.co.uk to your friends and family!

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Blooming Onion in the Air Fryer FAQ

What is a blooming onion in the air fryer?

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A blooming onion in the air fryer is a healthier version of the traditional deep-fried onion, cooked using an air fryer to achieve crispiness with less oil.
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Can I make a no egg version of the blooming onion?

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Yes, you can make a no egg air fryer blooming onion by using a buttermilk or milk substitute to help the seasoning stick.
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What onions are best for this recipe?

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A large sweet onion is best for this recipe due to its size and mild flavour, which holds the shape and absorbs the seasoning well.
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What is the cooking time for the air fryer onion blossom?

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The cooking time for an air fryer onion blossom is approximately 20 minutes at a temperature of 350°F/175°C.
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