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Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe with Creamy Dipping Sauce Made Easy

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A healthier, easy-to-make version of the classic blooming onion using an air fryer for a crispy, golden crunch paired with a tangy creamy dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or any large, mild onion)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF option)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar as substitute)
  • Cooking spray (preferably avocado or olive oil spray)
  • For the Creamy Dipping Sauce:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Peel the outer skin off the onion. Place it root side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut downward from the top about ½ inch from the root, slicing to create 12-16 petals without cutting through the root. Gently separate the petals to create the bloom.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together beaten eggs and buttermilk until smooth.
  4. Dip the blooming onion into the wet mixture, coating every petal. Then transfer to the flour mixture, sprinkling flour into each crevice and coating thoroughly. Repeat the wet and dry dipping once more for extra crunch. Place coated onion on a baking sheet or wire rack and rest for 10 minutes.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for about 5 minutes.
  6. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place onion root side down in basket and spray top generously with cooking spray. Cook for 15-18 minutes, spraying halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Adjust time based on your air fryer model.
  7. While onion cooks, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning and chill until serving.
  8. Let the blooming onion cool for a couple of minutes after cooking. Serve warm with creamy dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

Make sure onion is dry before dipping to help coating stick. Use cooking spray liberally on basket and onion for crispiness. Rest coated onion before air frying to help coating adhere. Flip halfway if air fryer basket is shallow. Baking in convection oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes on wire rack is an alternative but less crispy. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid microwave reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: blooming onion, air fryer, appetizer, crispy onion, dipping sauce, easy recipe, party snack, gluten-free option, vegan option

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-blooming-onion-recipe-with-creamy-dipping-sauce-made-easy/