Air Fryer Blooming Onion
If your Outback go-to is a blooming onion, you'll love this air fryer version.
Serves4
Prep15 minutes
Cook30 minutes to 35 minutes
I’m not sure if it’s the crispy, seasoned breading; the sweet, slinky strand of onion tucked inside; or the creamy, spiced dipping sauce that keeps me going back for bite after bite after bite of this blooming onion. Most likely, it’s a combination of all three.
Inspired by the ultra-popular restaurant starter, this version skips the deep-frying and uses the air fryer instead for a blooming onion that’s just as good as, if not better than, the original. You’ll start with a large sweet onion that’s cut, double-coated with a lightly spiced breading, then air-fried until lightly browned and crisp. Just don’t forget the dipping sauce. It’s a game-day snack that’s guaranteed to impress.
What Is a Blooming Onion?
A blooming onion, made popular by Outback Steakhouse, is an appetizer made with a large, sweet onion that’s cut to resemble a blossoming flower, then battered and fried. It’s traditionally deep-fried, however this version uses the air fryer.
How to Cut a Blooming Onion
There are four simple steps for cutting a blooming onion.
- Remove stem. Cut off about 1/2 inch from the stem of the onion. Remove and discard outer peel.
- Make 4 evenly-spaced downward cuts. Place onion cut-side down on cutting board. Starting about 1/2 inch from the root make a downward slice to the bottom of the onion. Repeat to make 3 more evenly spaced slices around the onion.
- Make additional cuts. Make 3 additional cuts between each section until you have 16 evenly spaced cuts.
- Separate petals. Turn the onion over and use your fingers to gently pull back and separate the onion sections to separate the petals.
What Type of Onion Should I Use?
Sweet onions, such as vidalia onions, are the best choice for making a blooming onion. Use a large sweet onion that’s about one pound.
3 Tips for the Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion
- Use a baking sheet. Most recipes have you coat the onion with the breading in a large bowl. While this approach absolutely works, a baking sheet makes this task much easier and gives you more space to work.
- Shake off excess breading. This is most important after adding the second coat of breading. Shaking off any excess will prevent clumping around the base of the onion.
- Be generous with the cooking spray. Be sure to coat the onion all over the outside and around each petal. This will give the onion more color and a crispier bite. Don’t like cooking spray? You can use an olive oil mister instead.
What Blooming Onion Sauce Should I Make?
There’s a simple and totally irresistible dipping sauce included in the recipe below, but all dipping sauces are fair game here. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and ranch are a few of our other favorites.
Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe
If your Outback go-to is a blooming onion, you'll love this air fryer version.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes to 35 minutes
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the onion:
- 1
large sweet onion (about 1 pound), such as Vidalia
- 1 cup
all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon
paprika
- 2 teaspoons
kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon
ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
- 2
large eggs
- 1/2 cups
whole or 2% milk
Cooking spray
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons
mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons
sour cream
- 1 tablespoon
ketchup
- 1 teaspoon
Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon
paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
Instructions
Cut off about 1/2 inch from the stem end of 1 large sweet onion. Peel and discard the outer skin. Place the onion cut-side down on the cutting board. Starting about 1/2 inch from the root, make a downward cut to the bottom of the onion. Repeat to make 3 more evenly-spaced cuts around the onion. Make 3 additional cuts between each section until you have 16 evenly spaced cuts.
Flip the onion over and use your fingers to gently pull back and separate the onion sections to separate the petals.
Place 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large, wide bowl, and whisk to combine. Place 2 large eggs and 1/2 cup milk in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
Heat an air fryer to 375ºF. Meanwhile, coat the onion.
Transfer the flour mixture to a rimmed baking sheet and place the onion on top. Use your hands or a spoon to sprinkle the flour mixture over the onion, separating the petals as needed, so that the onion is well-coated all over. Shake off any excess flour if needed, then pour the remaining flour mixture back into the bowl.
Dip the onion in the egg mixture, moving the petals as needed so that it’s coated all over. Allow any excess to drip off. Return the onion to the baking sheet. Working your way around the onion, use your hands or a spoon to sprinkle the remaining flour mixture all over the onion and in between each petal, so that the onion is well-coated all over. Shake off any excess to avoid clumping.
Generously coat the onion all over, including in between the petals, with cooking spray. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Use a thin metal spatula to place the onion in the basket. Air fry until crispy and golden brown all over, 30 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce.
Place 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a small bowl, and stir to combine.
Remove the blooming onion from basket and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The dipping sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container.