Looking for a crunchy, shareable snack that’s quick and keeps the oven off? This Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions recipe gives you the same fun, golden crunch of a restaurant-style blooming onion in a small, easy-to-eat version. Each bite is crisp on the outside, tender and sweet inside, with a savory, spiced coating that makes everyone reach for more. Make these when you want a party appetizer, a crunchy side for a weeknight burger, or a snack that delights picky eaters.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 20–25 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple pantry spices and one egg for an easy breading
- Air fryer gives deep-fried crisp without the oil mess
- Kid-friendly, great for parties, and easy to double
Ingredients
For the mini blooming onions and coating:
- 12 mini onions (pearl or small salad onions), peeled
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk of choice (whole milk, almond, or soy), at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado spray) for the air fryer basket
Optional dipping sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions of Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions
- Trim the root end of each onion slightly so it sits flat, leaving the top mostly intact; make 6–8 shallow cuts from top toward the root to create petals, being careful not to cut through the root.
- Separate the onion layers gently to open the “bloom” so air and coating can reach each petal.
- Mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a second bowl until smooth.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
- Dredge each prepared onion first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg-milk mix, letting excess drip off.
- Press each onion into the panko so crumbs coat the petals and outer surface well; gently tap to remove loose crumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray; place onions in a single layer, bloom-side up, leaving space between each for air to circulate.
- Spray the tops of the onions with cooking spray. Air fry for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp; flip if needed for even color and cook an extra 2–3 minutes.
- While onions cook, mix the optional dipping sauce ingredients and chill until ready to serve.
- Remove onions carefully with tongs and let rest for 1 minute before serving so they firm up and stay crisp.
Tips for Success
- Use small, firm onions so the petals hold shape and crisp up well.
- Don’t skip the panko its large flakes give the best crunch.
- Spray the onions lightly with oil before air frying to get a golden color without deep frying.
- Work gently when coating to keep the petals intact.
Substitutions & Variations of Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions
To Make It Vegan/Gluten-Free: Use a plant-based milk and a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water) instead of the egg, and swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use a vegan mayo for the dipping sauce.
Variations:
- Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne to the flour mix for heat.
- Mix grated Parmesan into the panko for extra savory flavor.
- Try a garlic-herb dip (mix mayo, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice) for a bright contrast.
- Coat with seasoned cornflakes for a crisper, crunchier shell.
Storage Instructions of Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Freezer: Freeze fully cooled onions on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes.
Make-Ahead: Prepare and coat the onions, then refrigerate on a tray for up to 2 hours before air frying. This saves time and keeps the coating from getting soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions
Can I use regular-sized onions?
Regular onions are very hard to bloom and cook evenly as “mini” versions do. If using larger ones, expect longer cooking and softer petals.
Will the petals fall apart while coating?
If you cut too deeply through the root, yes. Keep the root intact so it holds the layers together while you coat them.
How do I keep them from getting soggy?
Don’t stack them in the air fryer. Spray with oil lightly and cook at the right temp; reheating in the air fryer restores crunch best.
Final Toughts
These mini blooms bring a fun crunch to any table. The Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions are easy to make, use few ingredients, and clean up fast perfect for busy nights or when guests stop by. Try them with your favorite dip, and if you make them, leave a comment below and rate the recipe so others know how they turned out.
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Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions
Enjoy the fun and crunch of restaurant-style blooming onions in a mini version that’s perfect for snacking or serving at parties.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 mini onions (pearl or small salad onions), peeled
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk of choice (whole milk, almond, or soy), at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado spray) for the air fryer basket
Optional dipping sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim the root end of each onion slightly so it sits flat, leaving the top mostly intact; make 6–8 shallow cuts from top toward the root to create petals, being careful not to cut through the root.
- Separate the onion layers gently to open the “bloom” so air and coating can reach each petal.
- Mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a second bowl until smooth.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
- Dredge each prepared onion first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg-milk mix, letting excess drip off.
- Press each onion into the panko so crumbs coat the petals and outer surface well; gently tap to remove loose crumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray; place onions in a single layer, bloom-side up, leaving space between each for air to circulate.
- Spray the tops of the onions with cooking spray. Air fry for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp; flip if needed for even color and cook an extra 2–3 minutes.
- While onions cook, mix the optional dipping sauce ingredients and chill until ready to serve.
- Remove onions carefully with tongs and let rest for 1 minute before serving so they firm up and stay crisp.
Notes
Use small, firm onions for best results. Don’t skip the panko for optimal crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian