A blooming onion is a showstopper — a whole onion cut so it opens into a flower, breaded and fried crisp. The air fryer does it with a fraction of the oil. The knife work is the trick. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make a blooming onion in an air fryer?
A: Cut a large onion into petals, coat in seasoned flour and egg, spray with oil, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 15–20 minutes.
Q: How do you cut it?
A: Root-side up, slice down into wedges without cutting through the root, then flip and fan out.
The method
Sit a large onion root-side up and slice down into 12–16 wedges, stopping short of the root so it holds together. Flip it over and gently fan out the petals. Dip in seasoned flour, then egg, then flour again, getting it between the petals. Spray well with oil and air fry until crisp and golden. Serve with a creamy dipping sauce.
The recipe
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- Flour, paprika, garlic powder
- 2 eggs
- Oil spray
Method
- Cut the onion into petals; fan out.
- Coat in flour, egg, then flour.
- Spray well with oil.
- Air fry at 180°C for 15–20 minutes.
Tips
- Don't cut through the root so it holds.
- Coat between the petals for even crisp.
- Spray well with oil for golden colour.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a blooming onion in an air fryer?
Cut a large onion into petals without slicing through the root, coat in seasoned flour and egg, spray with oil, and air fry at 180°C for 15–20 minutes until crisp.
How do you cut a blooming onion?
Sit it root-side up, slice down into 12–16 wedges stopping short of the root, then flip it over and gently fan out the petals.
What sauce goes with it?
A creamy, slightly spicy mayo-based dip — mayonnaise with ketchup, paprika, horseradish and a little cayenne is the classic.