Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Crispy, golden, and packed with bold seasoning, this Air Fryer Blooming Onion delivers all the flavor of the classic restaurant favorite with much less oil. It’s the perfect appetizer for parties, game days, or family dinners, especially when served with a creamy dipping sauce.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4–6

Ingredients

For the Onion

• 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or similar)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking spray

Blooming Onion Dipping Sauce

• ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Peel the onion, leaving the root end intact. Place the onion root-side down and make 12–16 vertical cuts, stopping about ½ inch from the root so the onion stays together. Gently spread the petals apart.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
4. Dip the onion into the egg mixture, making sure it gets between the petals.
5. Coat the onion thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture, working it into all the layers. Repeat the egg and flour coating for an extra crispy crust if desired.
6. Lightly spray the onion all over with cooking spray.
7. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
8. Carefully place the onion in the air fryer basket with the cut side facing up.
9. Air fry for 18–22 minutes, spraying lightly with cooking spray halfway through cooking, until the onion is golden brown and crispy.
10. Meanwhile, whisk together all the dipping sauce ingredients until smooth.
11. Serve the blooming onion hot with the dipping sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Burgers
• Grilled steak
• Barbecue chicken
• French fries
• Fresh vegetable platter

Tips

• Sweet onions provide the best flavor and become wonderfully tender when cooked.
• Make sure the flour mixture reaches between the onion petals for maximum crispiness.
• If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with a small piece of foil during the final minutes of cooking.
• Serve immediately for the crispiest texture. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.