Air Fryer Blooming Onion
This Air Fryer Blooming Onion turns a single sweet onion into a crispy, flavorful appetizer that’s golden on the outside and tender in the center. Air-fried instead of deep-fried, it still delivers big crunch with a smoky, herby breading and a creamy BBQ mayo dip.
Ingredients
- 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
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil in a spray bottle
Optional Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Slice ½ inch off the top of the onion and peel.
- Place cut-side down and make 4 downward cuts, then 3 between each section to create 16 petals.
- Flip the onion over and let sit 5 minutes. Gently separate petals with fingers.
- In one bowl, mix flour, paprika, cayenne, cumin, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In another, whisk eggs, milk, and water.
- Coat onion in flour mixture, working between petals. Shake off excess.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/air-fryer-blooming-onion/
Notes
• Use a sweet onion like Vidalia for the best flavor and tenderness.
• A foil sling makes it much easier to lift the blooming onion in and out.
• Letting the onion rest cut-side up helps it “bloom” more naturally.