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Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions 2025 12 30 141523 150x150 1

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

Scale
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Separate the onion layers gently to open the “bloom” so air and coating can reach each petal.
  3. Mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
  4. Whisk the egg and milk together in a second bowl until smooth.
  5. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
  6. Dredge each prepared onion first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg-milk mix, letting excess drip off.
  7. Press each onion into the panko so crumbs coat the petals and outer surface well; gently tap to remove loose crumbs.
  8. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. While onions cook, mix the optional dipping sauce ingredients and chill until ready to serve.
  12. 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.

  • Author: soukaina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://spreadrecipes.com/air-fryer-crispy-mini-blooming-onions/