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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. 

Golden crispy onion sliced open on a white plate

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.

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Ingredients:

Ingredient for blooming onion, seasonings, breadcrumbs, onion, flour, on a white marble board
  • 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:

  1. 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.

  2. Remove the outer skin of the onion and cut off the top, placing the cut side facing down. Slicing off the top of an onion on a wooden cutting board

  3. 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.Sliced onion on a wooden cutting board with petals

  4. 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.Sliced onion soaking in cold water

  5. 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.Glass bowl with flour and seasoning mixed into a batter

  6. 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.Bloomed onion in a glass bowl with a spoon drizzling batter over

  7. 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. Spoon spreading breadcrumbs over battered onion in a glass bowl

  8. 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.Golden battered and coated bloomed open sliced onion in the air fryer basket

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.

Golden crispy bloomed onion in the air fryer basket after being cooked

FAQ’s:

How long can I store this Air Fryer Blooming Onion in the refrigerator?

You can keep the blooming onion in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

What kind of onion works best for this recipe?

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.

What kind of dipping sauce pairs well with this recipe?

You can use hot sauce, spicy ranch, regular ranch dressing, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, or any other favorite dipping sauce you like!

Golden crispy onion petals on a white plate

MORE AIR FRYER APPETIZER RECIPES:

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Golden crispy sliced onion with air fryer in background
4.68 from 64 votes
Servings: 4

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe is a perfectly crispy appetizer for game days, parties, or any other occasion!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 18 minutes
Soaking Time: 1 hour
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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

Calories: 248kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 0.3mg, Sodium: 511mg, Potassium: 181mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 288IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 80mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Becky Abbott

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4.68 from 64 votes (63 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. Diana Blom says:

    How to make sauce please

    1. Rebecca says:

      I don’t make the sauce from scratch. Sorry.

      1. Aeil says:

        5 stars
        The easiest blooming onion
        It didnโ€™t burn they delicious
        Awesome sour cream as
        Dipping sauce
        ????????โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ????
        Thank you for sharing
        Rebecca your awesome
        Blogger
        ????โœŒ๏ธ

        1. Rebecca says:

          Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!