Introduction

These Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions offer a deliciously crunchy snack without the guilt of deep frying. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, they make a great appetizer or party treat.

The image shows a white plate filled with golden-brown crispy fried onion rings, each ring layered with thin, crunchy strands and garnished with small pieces of green herbs. In the top right of the plate, there is a white bowl filled with a smooth, reddish-brown dipping sauce with a few green herb pieces on top. Some chopped green herbs are scattered on the plate around the onion rings. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a wooden texture blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup Buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice)
1 cup Flour (substitute with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option)
1 tbsp Paprika (consider using smoked paprika for extra flavor)
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
0.5 tsp Cayenne Pepper (adjust according to taste)
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
2 medium Sweet Onions (like Vidalia)
Cooking Spray or Oil (as needed for crispy exterior)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine buttermilk or milk with lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes to slightly thicken.
Step 2: Peel the onions and slice off the tops and bottoms carefully to create a flat, stable base. Make vertical cuts from top to bottom to form petal-like sections, being careful not to cut all the way through.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Dip each onion into the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour blend.
Step 5: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Place the coated onions in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space for air circulation.
Step 7: Lightly spray the tops of the onions with cooking spray or brush with a little oil to encourage crispiness.
Step 8: Cook the onions for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even cooking.
Step 9: Meanwhile, prepare a dipping sauce by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish sauce, lemon juice, and seasonings to taste.
Step 10: Serve the warm, crispy blooming onions immediately with the prepared dipping sauce for a delightful snack.

Tips & Variations

Use smoked paprika instead of regular for a deeper smoky flavor.
For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon or add a dash of hot sauce to the dipping sauce.
Gluten-free flour works well if you need to avoid gluten.
Make sure the onions are dry before dipping to get a crispier coating.
If you don’t have an air fryer, baking in a convection oven at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack can be a good alternative.

Storage

Store leftover crispy blooming onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with many golden-brown, crispy onion rings with a crunchy texture and small bits of green herbs sprinkled on top, giving a fresh look; the onion rings are layered closely together, some with darker browned edges showing a perfect fry; in the background, there are blurred white bowls with dips and green garnish placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Will these onions be as crispy as deep-fried?

While air-fried onions won’t be exactly the same as deep-fried, they still achieve a wonderfully crispy texture with a fraction of the oil, making them a healthier yet tasty alternative.