Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe or a Sweet Vidalia Onion Blossom is a quick and easy recipe using a whole onion to create the best crunchy, crispy breaded appetizer. Dip the onion petals in a zesty dipping sauce.
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The post was originally published in 2019. It has since been updated.
Back in high school I learned what a Blooming Onion was at my first Friday Night Football game. Who has a Blooming Onion? Outback Steakhouse has it. They used to serve the onions and fresh, grilled burgers in the concession area.
What is a Blooming Onion at Outback Steakhouse? It’s a large onion that is cut to resemble a flower and then it’s deep-fried and served as an appetizer.
According to the Outback Nutrition Facts, the Bloomin Onion has 1,950 calories and 155 grams of fat. You can cut the fact tremendously in this recipe by air frying.
What Type of Onion to Use
A sweet onion will work best. I use Vidalia.
How to Cut the Onion
Make sure you are using a sharp knife.
- Cut the tip off one side of the onion. Make you cut so that you are able to level out the onion easily on a flat surface. Leave the root completely intact. Place the onion root side up and cut side down.
- Make 4 evenly spaced cuts into the onion, at least a half an inch from the root. The closer you cut to the root, the easier the onion will fall apart.
- Next, make 3 cuts in between each of the 4, still slicing away from the root.
- Open and fluff out the petals.
How to Make Air Fryer Blooming Onion
- Once you have your onion sliced up, create a cooking station. Add flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to a bowl large enough to dredge the onion.
- Add milk and beaten eggs to a separate bowl large enough to dredge the onion.
- Cover the onion in flour, then the milk mixture, and the flour mixture again.
- Wrap the onion in foil and freeze.
- Remove the onion and air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I like to use 400 degrees.
Air Fryer Cook Time
Cook the onion for 10 minutes and then spray it again with oil. Be sure to get any of the spots with flour. Air fry again for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the onion is completely crisp.
Dipping Sauce
To make the best dipping sauce to your liking, decide if you like it to have more of a horseradish taste, more ketchup taste, or do you want something that is more mild, and a light combo of the two?
The dipping sauce recipe doesn’t have a bold horseradish taste, so if that’s what you’re going for, use 2 tablespoons of horseradish, as opposed to 1.
How to Reheat
Place the onion in the air fryer and spray with additional oil. I cannot get the onion to crisp up again without additional oil, and even then it isn’t as good as when it has been cooked fresh. Air fry for a few minutes until crisp on 400 degrees.
Pair with these Main Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Brats
Air Fryer Steak
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
Air Fryer Scallops
Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Fried Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer Southwestern Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Pizza
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion I used Vidalia
- 1 -1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour I used about 1 cup of flour, you may need more or less depending on the size of your onion.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk I used 2%.
- cooking oil
Blooming Onion Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon horseradish
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut off the pointy stem of the onion leaving the root end intact. Peel the onion and place it cut side down. The root end of the onion should be facing up.
- Starting 1/2 an inch from the root end, cut downward to make 4 evenly spaced cuts. In each section, make 3 additional cuts. There should be 16 cuts in the onion. This recipe includes a video that shows exactly how to cut the onion.
- Turn the onion over and fluff out the "petals."
- Place the flour in a bowl with the garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the milk and eggs to a separate bowl and stir.
- Place the onion in the flour mixture and dredge completely. Use a spoon to get into every area of the onion.
- Next dip the onion in the milk and egg batter. Use a spoon or cooking brush to ensure it is fully coated.
- Return the onion to the flour mixture again and cover completely.
- Wrap the onion in foil and freeze for 45 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or use air fryer parchment paper. Unwrap the onion and spray it with cooking oil. Focus on the spots with white flour. Spray them with oil and also remove any excess wet batter from the onion.
- Cook for 10 minutes on 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and spray any white areas with cooking oil. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until crisp.
Blooming Onion Dipping Sauce
- Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Stir and mix well.
Rita
Saturday 3rd of August 2024
We found some beautiful,very large, walla-walla onions at the farmers market and the first thing that came to mind was bloomin onions. Unfortunately, it was way too hot to turn on the oven, and besides, I never had much success making them. I was about to turn my back on the beautiful onions when I remembered the airfryer, and I knew that there had to be recipes for them! After searching through lots recipes I decided to use yours, primarily because it was the only one that suggested freezing before frying. Your recipe was well written and easy to follow (and make), and it came out perfectly! I am going to grab a few more of the local walla-wallas while they are available, and I am going to try preparing a couple of them at the same time, and see how they doing being kept frozen until ready to cook! Thanks for a great recipe!
staysnatched
Wednesday 7th of August 2024
You're welcome!
Carol
Saturday 19th of February 2022
It was good but, the petals would not let go from the core. We had to cut away the core so petals would release. I cooked five min longer but tips were beginning to burn. Was a little disappointed. Any hints as to what I did wrong? Thanks
staysnatched
Saturday 19th of February 2022
I’m not sure what you did, so I’m also not sure what you did wrong. Cutting the onion takes practice. I also didn’t nail it my first time around.
Kenya
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
Made this for my guys on super bowl Sunday. So easy and super tasty! I’ll be doing it again!
staysnatched
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Rochelle Bullock
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
This was another hit with my family! This tasted so good and was easy to make. Best believe I’m going to start making more meals from this site!
staysnatched
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
I'm so glad to hear that!
Glo919
Monday 6th of September 2021
Super easy and delish!
staysnatched
Friday 10th of September 2021
Wonderful! So glad to hear it!