Clare Andrews

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This was a bit of an experiment, but I was super happy with the end result! This air fryer blooming onion recipe is so simple and using the air fryer makes this dish much healthier than the deep fried alternative. The air fried blooming onion can be served as a light snack alongside the paprika dip or could be added to a larger meal. This goes well with steak, burgers or chicken and whilst you already have the panko breadcrumbs out why not choose to pair it with my air fryer chicken thighs for a truly delicious meal. The paprika dip will also compliment both parts of the meal. I love it when ingredients can be shared across multiple dishes, avoiding waste wherever possible is always on my agenda, and creating a full meal using just the air fryer is always a win for me.

When preparing the onion, take care to slice it evenly so that it cooks uniformly. If the onion pieces are too thick, they might not cook through properly. While overly thin slices can become too crispy. Practice makes perfect, and once you get the hang of it. You’ll be able to create beautifully blooming onions every time.

PREP 10 minutes

COOK 20 minutes

KIT you will need an air fryer and mixing bowl.

Ingredients for air fryer blooming onion

1 large onion

2 eggs

1 tablespoon of mayonnaise

3 tablespoons of panko bread crumbs

For the dip:

mayonnaise

ketchup

Worcestershire sauce

a teaspoon of paprika

Method

I first started with removing all the onion skins being super careful not to rip it.

Then I turned the onion upside down (see photo) and sliced down evenly around the onion.

In a bowl I mixed two eggs and a tablespoon of mayonnaise with a squeeze of hot sauce.

In a separate bowl I had around three tablespoons of panko bread crumbs.

First I popped the onion into the egg mix making sure it was all coated, then I carefully placed the onion into the panko mix.

I then placed in the air fryer drawer on 180c for around 15 to 20 minutes, checking half way.

Finally I served with paprika dip. I made this with Mayonnaise, ketchup, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a teaspoon of paprika.

My air fryer blooming onion makes a delicious mid afternoon snack.

The paprika dip is versatile and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a spicier dip, add a bit more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper. For a milder version, you can reduce the amount of paprika or skip the hot sauce altogether. This flexibility allows you to cater the dip to your liking or the preferences of your guests. For those watching their calorie intake, you can make a lighter version of the dip using Greek yoghurt instead of mayonnaise. This will still provide a creamy texture and rich flavour while reducing the overall fat content.

Similar recipes

If you like this air fryer blooming onion, you might also like my air fryer cauliflower steaks or the air fryer carrot fritters recipe.

If you’re looking for more air fryer inspiration, visit my Amazon shop front to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.

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