Mini Air Fryer Blooming Onions

Mini Air Fryer Blooming Onions are a delightful appetizer that brings the iconic restaurant favorite right into your kitchen—only in a smaller, more manageable size. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with flavor, these mini blooming onions are perfect for dipping and sharing.

Ingredients:

Table of Contents

4 small onions (such as Vidalia or any sweet onion)
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal (optional, for extra crunch)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred for extra crispiness)
Olive oil spray

Dipping Sauce (Optional):

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Onions:

1.1. Peel and Cut the Onions:

Peel the onions and trim off the tops, but keep the root end intact. This will help hold the onion together as it blooms.
Place the onion root side down and make 4 cuts from the top down, as if you were cutting it into quarters. Then, make 3-4 more cuts between each of the original cuts, creating about 16 sections. Be careful not to cut all the way through the root. Gently spread the petals apart to create the “blooming” effect.

1.2. Soak in Buttermilk:

Place the onions in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This helps soften the onions and allows the coating to stick better.

2. Prepare the Coating:

2.1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

2.2. Beat the Egg:

In a separate bowl, beat the egg. This will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the onions.

2.3. Set Up the Dredging Station:

Remove the onions from the buttermilk and let any excess drip off. Dredge each onion in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all the petals. Shake off any excess flour.
Dip the coated onions into the beaten egg, ensuring that all the petals are covered. Finally, roll the onions in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help the crumbs adhere.

3. Air Fry the Blooming Onions:

3.1. Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.

3.2. Spray with Olive Oil:

Lightly spray the coated onions with olive oil spray. This will help them crisp up nicely in the air fryer.

3.3. Cook the Onions:

Place the onions in the air fryer basket, root side down, ensuring they are not touching each other. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry the onions for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Check halfway through and spray with more olive oil if needed to ensure even browning.

4. Make the Dipping Sauce (Optional):

4.1. Mix the Ingredients:

While the onions are cooking, prepare the dipping sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and adjust the seasoning to taste.