Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Name: Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or similar), bloomed and cut; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1/4 cup whole milk; as needed cooking spray (neutral oil); 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tsp prepared horseradish; 2 tsp ketchup

A large sweet onion cut into a dramatic bloom shape, coated in seasoned flour and egg, and air-fried until golden and crispy - served with a creamy horseradish dipping sauce.

45 minMediumServes 4350 cal/serving

AmericanAppetizerAir FryerVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or similar), bloomed and cut
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup whole milk
as needed cooking spray (neutral oil)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp prepared horseradish
2 tsp ketchup

Instructions

1

To bloom the 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or similar): slice off the top 1/2 inch, peel the skin, and set the onion cut-side down. Make 4 cuts through the onion from top to near the root (leaving the root intact), then rotate 45° and make 4 more cuts to create 16 petals total. Gently spread the petals open without breaking them.
2

In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 beaten large eggs and 1/4 cup whole milk together.
3

Dip the onion cut-side down into the flour mixture, coating between all the petals. Shake gently. Then dip into the egg mixture, letting it flow between the petals. Dip back into the flour mixture for a second coat, pressing to adhere.
4

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Place the coated onion cut-side up in the basket. Generously spray all over with cooking spray (neutral oil).
5

Air-fry at 375°F for 20-22 minutes until the petals are deeply golden and crisp. If needed, spray with additional cooking spray after 10 minutes.
6

While the onion cooks, stir together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tsp prepared horseradish, and 2 tsp ketchup to make the dipping sauce. Serve the blooming onion hot with the sauce in the center.

Questions

Can I make Air Fryer Blooming Onion dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/4 cup whole milk. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Air Fryer Blooming Onion gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Air Fryer Blooming Onion keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Re-crisp leftovers in the air fryer at 350 F for three to four minutes; the microwave softens the coating.

Can I halve or double Air Fryer Blooming Onion?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, air-fry in batches; a crowded basket steams instead of crisping.

Serve it with

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