This Air Fryer Bloomin’ Onion Recipe is Simple & Delicious!
Love a restaurant-style Bloomin’ Onion?
Turns out, it’s pretty easy to make this Outback Steakhouse inspired Bloomin’ Onion copycat appetizer recipe at home using your air fryer! The process includes dredging the onion in flour, eggs, and then Panko breadcrumbs.
To take this bloomin’ onion to another level, make a tangy mayo and ketchup fry sauce for dipping. You’ll be set for a tasty homemade appetizer that’s just as delicious (but less greasy) than the traditional fried version!
Air Fryer Bloomin' Onion Recipe
yield: 4 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
cook time: 20 MINUTES
total time: 30 MINUTES
Your family with LOVE this crispy onion appetizer and the delicious dipping sauce.
Ingredients
For the Onion:
- 1 yellow or white onion
- 1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk (or any milk)
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs (Italian Seasoned)
- 1/2 cup flour
- olive oil in cooking oil sprayer
For Dipping Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
Directions
1
Cut the top off of the onion (pointed end) to create a flat surface.
2
With root side up (the hairy looking circle), cut "flower petals" just below the root. Cut the onion into 4 wedges first, then cut each wedge in half. Repeat until wedges are about 1/4 inch thick. You should end up with "petals" all around the onion.
3
When you turn the onion over, it will look like a flower "bloom". Gently separate the layers.
4
Mix flour with Cajun seasoning in a medium-sized bowl. Mix eggs and buttermilk in a separate medium-sized bowl. Then pour Panko bread crumbs in a third bowl.
5
Dredge the onion in flour and shake off the excess. Dip into the egg mixture, coating evenly. Then finally dip into the Panko breadcrumbs and toss around the breadcrumbs to ensure full coating coverage.
6
Put the Panko-crusted onion into the air fryer basket. Spray the entire onion with oil. Place a piece of foil over the onion, like a tent.
7
Set the air fryer to 390 for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 5-10 minutes until desired crispiness. Your cook time may vary, depending on the size of the onion.
8
Mix dipping sauce ingredients together and serve with the warm blooming onion. Enjoy!
Additional Notes
Recipe adapted from Cuisinart.online
Helpful tips when making a Blooming Onion in the Air Fryer:
- Don’t skip the flour coating process for the blooming onion. It helps create a base to ensure the Panko bread crumbs stick properly.
- While you don’t need a whole vat of oil for frying, spraying the entire outside of the breaded onion with cooking oil in an oil mister before air frying helps crisp up nicely!
- Cover the onion loosely with foil before cooking, or you’ll end up with a burnt outside and an uncooked inside.
What a yummy, crispy appetizer!
My family devoured this blooming onion, and we especially loved the tangy dipping sauce. I’ll admit, mine may have not turned out picture perfect like a lot of the air fryer recipes online, but it was really YUM regardless! I think you’ll really enjoy this delicious appetizer idea, too.
