Dessert

Best Air Fryer Blooming Onions Ever Recipe

ByNaomi Fletcher November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

Introduction

The air fryer blooming onion is a golden, crisp appetizer that fans out like a beautiful flower. It offers the indulgent texture and flavor of traditional fried onion blossoms with less oil and easy cleanup, making it a perfect snack or party treat.

The image shows a close-up of several golden-brown crispy onion blossoms with curled, slightly charred petal edges made of multiple layers of thin onion slices. They are arranged around a white bowl filled with creamy, pale orange dipping sauce topped with small red specks and a green herb leaf for garnish. The contrast of the crunchy texture of the onion petals and the smooth sauce is clear. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 small onions (preferably sweet varieties like Vidalia)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended for extra crunch)
Cooking spray (for air frying)

Instructions

Step 1: Peel the onions, removing any dry skin. Slice about ¼ inch off the top, keeping the root end intact. Place the onion root-side down and cut vertical slices about 1 inch apart, stopping just above the root to keep the base whole. Gently spread the layers to form a “bloom.” Handle carefully to avoid breaking the petals.
Step 2: In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs and buttermilk until smooth. Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Step 3: One onion at a time, dredge it in the flour mixture, getting flour between all petals. Dip fully into the egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently so coating adheres evenly. Use a spoon to help coat inner petals without breaking them.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place one coated onion in the basket, mist the top with cooking spray, and air fry for 15–18 minutes until golden and crisp. Repeat with remaining onions.

Tips & Variations

Use sweet onions like Vidalia for a milder flavor and firm texture that holds up during cooking.
For extra spice, add cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the flour mixture.
Panko breadcrumbs create a crunchier crust than regular breadcrumbs.
To ensure even cooking, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket—cook onions one at a time if needed.

Storage

Store leftover 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 crispness. Avoid microwaving as it will make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of several blooming onions, each with multiple layered golden-brown, crispy petals that have a crunchy texture and slightly charred tips, arranged closely on a white plate. The onions’ layered petals spread outwards in a flower-like shape, with the innermost layers being lighter and shinier and the outer layers more textured and richly fried. Next to the blooming onions, there is a small white ramekin filled with a smooth, light pinkish-orange dipping sauce topped with small green chive bits. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface, emphasizing the warm colors and textures of the fried onions and sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular onions instead of sweet onions?

Yes, regular onions will work, but sweet onions like Vidalia are preferred because they have a milder flavor and less sulfur, which makes them taste sweeter and less pungent.

Do I need to soak the onions before coating?

This recipe does not require soaking the onions beforehand. Simply peeling and slicing carefully is sufficient to prepare them for coating and air frying.