This Air Fryer Blooming Onion is a crispy copycat recipe that makes a great starter or snack. This impressive appetizer can be served with all your favorite dipping sauces. Plus the air fryer makes it quick and easy to make.
Want some more crunchy appetizers for your next party, try Air Fryer Pretzel Bites and my Fried Pickles.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe is a Keeper
This is the easiest recipe for a blooming onion, made in the air fryer. This recipe is a fun upgrade to onion rings, and tastes like the blooming onion from Outback Steakhouse. While eating, separate the onion and dip the petals into a delicious blooming onion sauce, or your favorite sauce of your choice. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- 20 Minute Appetizer: Have this copycat Outback Steakhouse blooming onion ready in under 20 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: All of the ingredients to make a blooming onion in the air fryer can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Delicious Crispy Flavor: Air fryer blooming onions are crispy, golden brown, and seasoned with garlic, paprika, and more.
What Type of Onion to get for this Recipe?
You can try any large onion you want, but we recommend using sweet onions, like Vidalia onions, yellow onions, or white onions.
Blooming Onion in Air Fryer Ingredient Notes
- Onion: Make this air fried blooming onion recipe with one large, sweet onion.
- All Purpose Seasoning: Try our recipe to season the floured onion.
- Oil: Coat the onion with cooking oil, then transfer the onion cut side up into the fryer. You can use a spoon to coat the onion, or spray the onion 2-3 times.
- Flour: Dip the onion into the egg mixture, then sprinkle the flour mixture over the onion.
See the full recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements. Follow the recipe exactly for best results.
Air Fryer Recipe Prep Ahead Suggestions
- Cut and Peel: You can cut and peel the onion ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bread and fry it.
- Create the Bloom: The cutting process can also be done in advance. Once the onion is cut, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to bread and fry.
Special Equipment Needed for this Air Fryer Appetizer
- Air Fryer: Cook the onion in the basket of an air fryer at 350 F. The air fryer blows hot air around the food, cooking it.
- Cutting Board: Place the onion down on a cutting board, then peel your onion and cut. The slices around the onion will give it its shape. You can also use a blooming onion cutter if you have one.
Pro Tip for Blooming Onion Made from Scratch and Blooming Onion Sauce
Pat the onion dry with paper towels before breading to ensure the batter adheres properly. Buy your favorite sauce or make you own.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion
This blooming onion is the perfect appetizer recipe you can make in the air fryer or deep fryer. The spices give the onion a savory flavor, complementing its sweetness. Slice the onion to make its unique shape, then coat with flour and put the onion in the air fryer.
These are the basic steps for making a blooming onion in the air fryer. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Cut the Onion Stem
Remove the onion peel and cut the stem from the top of the onion. Flip with root pointed up and make four cuts down along the side of the onion, 1/2 inch from the root. Then, slice the onion three more times between the existing four cuts. You should have a total of 8 spaced cuts around the onion. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
2. Make the Breading Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine eggs and milk. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and spices- salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and all purpose seasoning. Shake off excess flour.
3. Coat the Entire Onion in Flour
Cover the onion petals completely in the egg mixture, then toss the flour mixture all over the onion.
4. Spray the Onion with Oil and Place the Onion in Air Fryer
Place the onion cut-side up in air fryer basket; spray the onion generously with oil. Cook on 350 for 9 minutes or until golden brown. Turn the onion halfway through cooking. Allow the onion to cool slightly. Once it’s done, spread the onion apart, then transfer the onion to a serving tray.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Air Fryer Bloomin Onions
- Storing: Store the onion in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Reheating: Reheat the onion in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
- Using Leftovers: Air fryer onions are best for up to 1-3 days.
Air Fryer Outback Steakhouse Blooming Onion Variations and Substitutions
- Vegetable Substitutions: You can use other vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, or broccoli to create a similar “blooming” effect.
- Gluten-Free Breading: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a safe option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
- Deep Frier: Deep fry the onion if you do not have an air fryer.
Recipe FAQs
Try serving the onion together with Boom Boom Sauce or Burger Sauce.
Yes; just add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mixture.
You may not have enough flour or oil on the onion. If this is the case, place the onion back into the flour mixture, spray the onion with the cooking oil, and cook for a few minutes longer.
Expert Tips for Making This Air Fried Blooming Onion Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: Just increase the ingredients, and air fry as many as your fryer will fit at one time.
- Add Spice: Don’t be afraid to pick up the heat with some cayenne pepper or other spices.
- Soak: Place the onions in milk or cold water will cut down on the sulfur content.
- Variation tip: Feel free to use a gluten free coating or milk alternative to fit your dietary needs.
- Preheat: Always preheat your air fryer and shake the basket for best cooking results.
Air Fryer Blooming Onion
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 1 Onion , large
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 Eggs
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder
- ½ tablespoon All Purpose Seasoning
Instructions
- Remove first layer of onion peel. Cut the top stem off.
- Flip with root pointed up and make four cuts down along the side of the onion 1/2 inch from root. Then three more cuts between existing four cuts with a total of 8 cuts.
- In a mixing bowl, combine eggs and milk and mix.
- In another mixing bowl, combine flour and spices.
- Dredge the onion in the milk/egg mixture coating the onion slices completely.
- Toss in the flour mixture coating slices completely. Repeat for crispier results
- Place in air fryer basket and spray with oil. Cook on 350 for 9 minutes or until golden brown.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: Just increase the ingredients, and air fry as many as your fryer will fit at one time.
- Add Spice: Don’t be afraid to pick up the heat with some cayenne pepper or other spices.
- Soak: Place the onions in milk or cold water will cut down on the sulfur content.
- Variation tip: Feel free to use a gluten free coating or milk alternative to fit your dietary needs.
- Preheat: Always preheat your air fryer and shake the basket for best cooking results.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! So easy to make and tasted really delicious! Highly recommended, will surely have this again!
This is my fave appetizer of all time and I love how much lighter it is in the air fryer!
I love it when I can make my favorite naughty treats healthier. The air fryer comes through again! Great recipe!
I forget how great the air fryer is for so many things! This is a genius idea and I am going to make one for my husband, tonight! Thank you for sharing the how-to!