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Air Fryer Blooming Onion: The Ultimate Crispy, Guilt-Free Appetizer You’ll Make Again and Again

Air Fryer Blooming Onion: The Ultimate Crispy, Guilt-Free Appetizer You’ll Make Again and Again
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This Air Fryer Blooming Onion is a lighter, homemade version of the popular restaurant appetizer. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for game day, parties, or a fun family snack—all without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 large sweet onion

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 cup water

  • Oil in a spray bottle (vegetable or canola oil)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Onion

  1. Cut about ½ inch off the top of the onion and peel off the outer skin.

  2. Place the onion cut-side down. Starting about ½ inch from the root, cut straight down to the board.

  3. Make 4 evenly spaced cuts, then make 3 more cuts between each section (16 cuts total).

  4. Turn the onion over and let it rest for 5 minutes so the petals open.

  5. Gently separate the outer layers with your fingers.

2. Prepare the Coating

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, cayenne, cumin, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.

  2. In another deep bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and water.

3. Bread the Onion

  1. Place the onion (cut-side up) in a bowl and spoon the flour mixture over it, making sure it gets between all the petals.

  2. Turn the onion over and gently tap off excess flour. Reserve the flour mixture.

  3. Dip the onion into the egg mixture and coat evenly. Let excess drip off.

  4. Return the onion to the flour mixture and coat again, tapping off extra flour.

  5. Refrigerate the onion while you preheat the air fryer.

4. Air Fry

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

  2. Remove the onion from the fridge and spray generously with oil, making sure all floury spots are covered.

  3. Make a small foil sling and carefully place the onion cut-side up into the air fryer basket.

  4. Cook for 25 minutes, spraying with oil 2–3 times during cooking for even browning.

  5. Remove carefully using the foil sling and season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve

Serve hot with your favorite blooming onion dip or spicy sauce.

Notes

  • Use a sweet onion (like Vidalia) for the best flavor.

  • Spray oil generously—any dry flour spots will stay white.

  • If the top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil for the last few minutes.

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook one onion at a time.

Find it online: https://tastyquickly.com/air-fryer-blooming-onion-the-ultimate-crispy-guilt-free-appetizer-youll-make-again-and-again/