Description
This Crispy Mini Blooming Onions recipe transforms small onions into irresistible, crispy flowers cooked to perfection in an air fryer. Served with a tangy homemade dipping sauce, these bite-sized blooms are a healthier alternative to traditional fried blooming onions, offering crunchy, flavorful snacks perfect for parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Blooming Onions
- 4 small onions (such as sweet or yellow onions)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray (for air fryer)
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel the small onions and trim the root ends slightly without cutting them off completely to keep the onions intact. Carefully slice each onion vertically multiple times (about 8-10 cuts) to create petals, making sure not to slice all the way through.
- Mix Dry Coating: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Make Wet Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk until fully combined.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In another bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and crunch.
- Coat the Onions: Dip each onion into the flour mixture first, making sure to get in between the petals. Then dip it into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko-Parmesan mixture. For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more if desired.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Air Fry the Onions: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated onions in the basket petal side down, ensuring they are not touching for proper air circulation. Spray the top of the onions lightly with cooking spray to aid crisping. Air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until the onions are golden brown and crispy, checking halfway to rotate if necessary.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: While the onions cook, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, hot sauce (if using), and smoked paprika in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve: Carefully remove the blooming onions from the air fryer using tongs. Serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use small onions to ensure the petals open fully and cook evenly.
- Be careful not to slice all the way through the onion to keep the petals attached.
- Spraying the onions with cooking spray before air frying helps achieve a crispy texture.
- Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating for extra crunchy onions.
- Adjust hot sauce in dipping sauce to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder flavor.
- Serve immediately for best crispiness; leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
