Fitness / March 9, 2024

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Enjoy this flavorful, low-fat take on the blooming onion

Hey, remember places like Applebee’s and TGIF? Most of their defrosted entrees were pretty subpar, but in college, they were our go-to spots for cheap late-night appetizers. One of my faves was the blooming onion. It was greasy and crunchy, with the perfect blend of sweet and salty. The thing is, I’m not in my 20s anymore and eating a fried onion at 12:00 am? Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. But an air fryer blooming onion with an early dinner? Now, we’re talking.

I’m a huge fan of onion rings. I love them baked. I love them air fried. And for parties, I like to fancify them with this easy blooming onion recipe. Best of all, it’s way less messy compared to the deep fried versions, and it’s much healthier too. And guess what? It’s just as crunchy and tasty. I blend a bit of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano for a savory and herbaceous flavor. Add your favorite dip, and I bet you anything this air fryer blooming onion will be gone faster than you can say, Shrek— IYKYK.

Is an Air Fryer Blooming Onion Healthy?

Compared to the fried variety, my air fryer blooming onion is definitely healthier. I spray a little oil on the onion, but just enough to get it crispy. Normally, blooming onions call for milk, but I’ve opted for almond milk. It works just as well. Likewise, if you’re nut-free, you could also use soy or oat milk. Are you gluten-sensitive? No worries! Just use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. And for egg-free homes, I’d recommend a commercial egg replacer; I’m particularly fond of Bob’s Mill egg replacer—top notch stuff.

the bloom effect: why the cut matters

Blooming onions is an art. While they’re not difficult to make, there is a precision and finesse to transforming this bland vegetable into a beautifully flavorful flower. As you’ll note from the instructions, this recipe requires a large, preferably sweet, onion. Because, in this case, size indeed matters. A large onion allows you to easily make a series of shallow vertical cuts so that the onion fans out for that signature bloom. Except this blooming isn’t just for aesthetics—you’re giving the coating and spice mix a chance to reach every crevice of the onion so it crisps evenly. All you need is a sharp knife and a steady hand.

INGREDIENTS

1 large sweet onion
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Olive oil or avocado oil in a spray bottle

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Heat the air fryer and prepare your onion by cutting it into a blooming shape. Mix your dry ingredients in one bowl and your wet ingredients in another.

Coat

Dip the onion in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and back in the flour mixture again. Chill it briefly to set the coating.

Cook

Spray the onion with oil and air fry until crispy, spraying occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Serve

Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot with your favorite healthy dip. Enjoy a lighter take on this classic appetizer that’s just as tasty and perfect for sharing!

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

You can store this blooming onion in the fridge for about 5 days in an airtight container, but I don’t recommend it. Once cooked, it falls apart pretty fast. Personally, I’d eat this right away.

Can I use any onion?

While this recipe calls for a sweet onion, you don’t have to go that route. Yellow, white, and red onions are more pungent, but even they get a little sweet after you fry them. It’s up to you!

Can I use any type of spray bottle for my oil?

Find one that’s specifically food grade. I like glass or metal bottles, but a BPA-free plastic bottle is okay, too.

Aside from avocado and olive, what other oils can I use for this recipe?

Any neutral oil, like canola or vegetable, works!

Serving Suggestions

My air fried blooming onion is the perfect party appetizer. I love serving it with other air fried favorites like chicken nuggets and buffalo cauliflower. Or try it with bacon wrapped pineapple bites with sweet and sour sauce! Speaking of sauce, my onion ring dipping sauce tastes just as good with a blooming onion. What’s your favoriting pairing? Let me know in the comments!

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

Total Time 55

Servings

Calories 108kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 large sweet onion
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Olive oil or avocado oil in a spray bottle

Instructions

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees F for at least 3 minutes.
Slice off the top to create a flat surface. Peel away the outer skin. Turn the onion cut-side down and make several evenly spaced cuts down into the onion starting 1/2 inch from the root. Continue making cuts between the first ones until you have 16 sections.
Carefully flip the onion over and gently separate the petals.
In a large bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), thyme and oregano. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and almond milk until well combined.
Place the onion in a separate bowl, cut-side up, and spoon the flour mixture over it. Make sure each petal is well covered. Flip and tap off excess flour. Dip the onion into the egg mixture then dredge it back in the flour mixture for a second coat.
Now, you need to let the coating set. I usually chill the onion in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Spray the onion generously with oil from your spray bottle (this is the secret to a crispy texture).
Create a foil sling for easy handling and place the onion cut-side up in the air fryer basket. Cook for 25 minutes (or stop when you see it golden and crispy). Don’t forget to spray the onion 2-3 times during the cooking.
Once done, carefully remove the onion using the foil sling. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately. Enjoy picking your dips!