Description
Enjoy the delightful crunch of Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions, a perfect snack for any occasion. These mini treats are air-fried to golden perfection, offering all the flavor without the guilt of deep frying.
Ingredients
- Mini Onions (small yellow onions, larger pearl onions, or small shallots, 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter)
- All-Purpose Flour
- Spices (sweet or smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried oregano)
- Eggs
- Milk (whole milk or buttermilk)
- Cornstarch
- Oil Spray (olive oil spray or avocado oil spray)
- Dipping Sauce Ingredients (mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, non-alcoholic Worcestershire sauce alternative, hot sauce)
Instructions
- First, gently peel the mini onions, being careful to trim only the very top root end while leaving the core intact. Make 4-6 evenly spaced vertical cuts from the top down towards the root, stopping about a half-inch from the root. Rotate the onion slightly and make another 4-6 cuts horizontally, again stopping short of the root. This technique creates the 'bloom.' Gently use your fingers to separate the layers and open up the onion petals. Repeat for all mini onions. For an extra bloom, soak the cut onions in ice water for 15-20 minutes, then pat them dry.
- In the first shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined. In the second shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly.
- Take one bloomed onion and dip it into the wet egg mixture, ensuring it gets coated inside and out. Shake off excess liquid, then transfer to the dry flour mixture. Work the flour into all nooks and crannies of the onion bloom, gently patting to help it adhere. Shake off excess flour and set aside. Repeat for all remaining mini onions.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Lightly spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the breaded mini onions in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Lightly spray the tops of the arranged onions with oil. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. If they look dry, give them another light spray of oil when you flip them. Continue air frying until golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the crispy mini blooming onions from the air fryer and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blooming onion
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Choose small, firm onions for best results. Ensure to leave the root intact for the bloom to hold together. A light mist of oil is crucial for achieving crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer for maximum crunch.