Description
Air Fryer Blooming Onion Petals offer a crunchy, flavorful snack with all the indulgence of traditional fried onions but with less oil and mess. Perfectly seasoned and crispy, these golden petals make a quick and healthier appetizer or snack ideal for game day or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion
- 1 large yellow onion
Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF option)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Other
- 1 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk for vegan option)
- Cooking spray or oil mist
Instructions
- Prepare the Onion: Peel the large onion and trim the top. Carefully slice the onion into petals by cutting from the root end just deep enough to separate the layers without cutting through completely, ensuring petals stay attached at the base.
- Soak in Buttermilk: Place the onion in a bowl and pour buttermilk over it, soaking for 10-15 minutes to soften the onion and help the coating adhere better.
- Mix the Coating: Combine flour, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasoning and breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Petals: Remove the onion from the buttermilk and gently shake off excess liquid. Dip each petal into the flour mixture, coating all sides thoroughly for maximum crispiness.
- Air Fry the Onion Petals: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange coated onion petals in a single layer in the air fryer basket to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray with cooking oil then air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Serve Warm: Carefully remove the petals and let them cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Choose a firm, fresh yellow onion for best structure and sweetness.
- Allow the onion to soak in buttermilk fully to ensure tender petals and better coating adhesion.
- Lightly spray oil on coated petals for perfect golden crispiness.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking and crunch.
- Flip petals midway through cooking for even crispness all around.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg