Description

Enjoy crispy, golden mini blooming onions made effortlessly in the air fryer. This delicious appetizer features perfectly sliced small onions coated in a seasoned flour mixture, dipped in a rich buttermilk and egg wash, then coated with crunchy breadcrumbs before air frying to perfection. Serve these bite-sized blooms with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing snack or starter.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions

4 small onions

Flour Coating

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Wet Mixture

2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk

Breading

1 cup breadcrumbs

Other

Cooking spray

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Instructions

Prepare the Onions: Peel the onions and trim off the tops. Carefully slice each onion into petals, being cautious to keep the root intact so the onion holds together in a blooming shape.
Prepare the Coatings: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Coat the Onions: Dip each prepared onion first into the seasoned flour, ensuring it is completely coated. Then dip the onion into the egg and buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat the onion thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they adhere well.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes.
Cook the Onions: Lightly spray the coated onions with cooking spray to help them crisp and brown evenly. Place them carefully in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the onions halfway through cooking to ensure all sides become golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Remove the crispy blooming onions from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce for a crunchy, flavorful appetizer.

Notes

Make sure to leave the root end intact when slicing the onions so that the petals fan out nicely during cooking.
Flipping halfway through cooking promotes even browning and crispiness.
Use cooking spray generously to achieve a golden crust while air frying without adding extra oil.
Serve hot for the best crunch and flavor.
Customize the seasoning mix to suit your taste preferences.