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Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions

These Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions are easy to make, a little fancy, and perfect for sharing. With a golden crispiness and a tangy dipping sauce, they’re a nostalgic treat that feels like home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the blooming onions
  • 2 medium Sweet Onions (like Vidalia) Use sweet onions for tenderness and mild flavor.
  • 1 cup Buttermilk or milk with lemon juice Let the milk sit for 5 minutes with lemon juice before using.
  • 1 cup Flour (or gluten-free flour) Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.
For the seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 0.5 tsp Cayenne Pepper Add more for a spicier kick.
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Pepper
For cooking
  • Cooking Spray/Oil Use as needed for crispy exterior.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk or milk with lemon juice and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Peel the onions, then slice off the tops and bottoms to create a stable base. Make vertical cuts to form petal-like blooms.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Cooking
  1. Dip each onion into the buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip away, and coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour.
  2. Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and let it preheat for 5 minutes.
  3. Place the coated onions in the air fryer basket, leaving space for proper air circulation. Lightly spray the tops of the onions with cooking spray or brush them with oil.
  4. Cook the onions in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Dipping Sauce
  1. Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish sauce, lemon juice, and seasonings to taste for a dipping sauce.
Serving
  1. Serve the warm onions alongside the dipping sauce.

Notes

Let leftovers cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes before serving.