An air-fryer blooming onion: make deep cuts in a peeled onion, soak in ice water, coat in seasoned flour, an egg-milk wash and breadcrumbs, then air-fry at 180°C for 25 minutes until golden and bloomed.
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.