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This Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe is a copycat favorite appetizer from Outback Steakhouse. It is a crispy appetizer for game days, parties, or any other occasion! You can make this yummy battered onion in just a few minutes in the air fryer.
Blooming Onion in Air Fryer
You will love making this bloomin onion air fryer recipe because it very easy to make, and the air fryer gives it crispy perfection. This fun appetizer satisfies all your salty cravings without deep frying.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe will become one of the most popular appetizers in your home! If you are looking for more delicious onion recipes, you will love these Fried Ravioli or Air Fryer Onion Rings.
This dish is also one of our favorite 4th of July recipes to make.
Ingredients:
- Onion-Sweet onion or yellow onion
- All Purpose Flour
- Paprika
- Italian Seasoning-like McCormick
- Kosher Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Powder – You can use a teaspoon cayenne pepper instead for a spicier kick
- Water
- Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
How to Make Bloomin’ Onion:
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Because the onion will be very hot, to easily remove the hot onion from the air fryer basket, use a piece of aluminum foil to make an aluminum foil sling for easy lifting.
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Remove the outer skin of the onion and cut off the top, placing the cut side facing down.
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Slice onion, leaving a small uncut circle in the center. Make 8-10 evenly spaced slices from top to bottom of the entire onion, and through all of the layers, leaving the center connected and root intact to the onion petals. Make additional cuts if necessary.
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Place onion in ice cold water and let it sit for about an hour to soften the onion petals to help them separate to coat.
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour with the spices. Add one cup of water to the dry ingredients, stirring until it forms into a batter. Add one tablespoon of water or extra flour if necessary.
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Drain onion from the water, patting dry with a paper towel if needed. Open the onion slices, spreading them as much as possible without tearing the center. Then, place onion in a deep bowl, and dip onion or spoon the batter over the onion, making sure to coat onion sections evenly.
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Shake of excess drip and place in a separate clean bowl. Then, to coat outer layer with breading, sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the onion to coat it thoroughly.
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For an extra onion crisp, lightly spritz the onion petals with cooking oil spray, and then air fry at 380ºF for 15-18 minutes until golden brown color with a crispy coating.
I make this dish in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Depending on your air fryer oven, size and wattages, cooking time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.
FAQ’s:
You can keep the blooming onion in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can use a white onion or a yellow onion for this recipe. White onions have a sharper, more intense burst of flavor, while yellow onions are more balanced with a sweeter taste.
You can use hot sauce, spicy ranch, regular ranch dressing, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, or any other favorite dipping sauce you like!
MORE AIR FRYER APPETIZER RECIPES:
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Air Fryer Blooming Onion
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, sweet or yellow
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 tespoon kosher salt
- 1 teapoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, for spicier kick, use cayenne pepper
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Because the onion will be very hot, to easily remove the hot onion from the air fryer basket, use a piece of aluminum foil to make an aluminum foil sling for easy lifting.
- Remove the outer skin of the onion and cut off the top, placing the cut side facing down.
- Using a cutting board and a sharp knife, slice from the middle of the onion, leaving a small uncut circle in the center. Make 8-10 evenly spaced slices from top to bottom of the entire onion, and through all of the layers, leaving the center connected and root intact to the onion petals.
- Place onion in ice cold water and let it sit for about 1-2 hours to soften the onion petals to help them separate to coat.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour with the spices. Add one cup of water to the dry ingredients, stirring until it forms into a batter. Add one tablespoon of water or extra flour if necessary.
- Drain onion from the water, patting dry with a paper towel if needed. Open the onion slices, spreading them as much as possible without tearing the center.
- Place onion in a deep bowl, and dip onion or spoon the batter over the onion, making sure to coat onion sections evenly. Shake of excess batter, and then coat the onion with breadcrumbs.
- Spray your Air Fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or line the basket with parchment paper. Place the coated onion cut-side down, in Air Fryer basket.
- To help your blooming onion crisp, lightly spritz the onion petals with cooking oil spray, and air fry at 380ºF for 18-20 minutes until golden brown color with a crispy coating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to make sauce please
I don’t make the sauce from scratch. Sorry.
The easiest blooming onion
It didn’t burn they delicious
Awesome sour cream as
Dipping sauce
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Thank you for sharing
Rebecca your awesome
Blogger
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Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!