This is a blooming onion done in the air fryer, so the petals turn golden and crunchy without a pot of hot oil. The trick to the cuts is a jar lid: sit the peeled onion on it and the lid stops your knife short of the root, so the flower fans open instead of falling apart. A 10-minute soak in ice water tames the raw bite and loosens the petals for the seasoned flour, egg wash and breadcrumbs. It cooks at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes and is done when the petals have opened wide and the crumbs are deep golden at the tips.
Instructions
- 1
Cut off the top of a large onion and peel. Place onion on a jar lid and use a knife to make deep cuts all around — the lid acts as a stopper, preventing the knife from cutting all the way through.
- 2
Submerge the onion in ice-cold water for 10 minutes. This reduces bitterness and softens the layers.
10:00 - 3
Combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a jar — shake it up like a seasoning shaker. Sift the flour mixture over the drained onion, making sure it’s evenly coated.
- 4
Crack two eggs into a jar, add 50 ml milk, whisk smooth. Pour over the onion, getting into all the petals. Then generously sprinkle breadcrumbs all over.
- 5
Air fry at 180°C / 350°F for 25 minutes until golden and perfectly bloomed. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
25:00
Watch the video
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cut the onion so it blooms?
Slice off the top, peel, and sit the onion cut-side up on a jar lid. The lid stops your knife before it reaches the root, so you can make deep cuts all around and the petals fan open without falling apart.
Why soak it in ice water?
Ten minutes in ice water mellows the raw onion’s sharp bite and relaxes the layers so the petals open up and coat evenly. Drain and pat it dry before flouring so the coating sticks.
How do I get the coating to stick in the air fryer?
Work in order — dry onion, sifted seasoned flour into every petal, egg-and-milk wash, then breadcrumbs. Push the coating down into the cuts and give it a light oil spray so it turns deep golden instead of powdery.
Related Recipes
Cheese & Onion Dip in Air Fryer
Onion Bhaji
Wrapped Bacon Onion Burger
Onion Ring Chips with Cheddar Cheese
Creamy Cheese & Onion Dip
