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Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions & Dip

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These Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Each small onion is carefully cut to create a “blooming” effect, then coated in a seasoned batter and air-fried to a golden crisp. The exterior provides a satisfying crunch, giving way to the tender, sweet onion within. Served with a creamy, tangy dipping sauce, these make for an appealing appetizer or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Mini Blooming Onions:
  • 4 small yellow onions (about 2–2.5 inches in diameter)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a hint of heat)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)
  • Fresh chives, chopped, for garnish
  • For the Dipping Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. **Prepare the Onions:** Peel the onions and trim the root end, leaving enough intact to hold the onion together. Place an onion root-side up on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, make 4-6 evenly spaced vertical cuts from the top down, stopping about 1/2 inch from the root. Rotate the onion and make another set of cuts between the first ones, creating 8-12 sections. Gently separate the "petals" to open the onion. Repeat with remaining onions.
  2. **Soak the Onions:** Place the cut onions in a bowl of ice water for 15-30 minutes. This helps them open further and become crispier. Drain thoroughly and pat very dry with paper towels.
  3. **Prepare Dredging Stations:** In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. In another shallow dish, whisk the eggs and milk until well combined.
  4. **Coat the Onions:** Dredge each onion first in the flour mixture, ensuring all crevices are coated. Gently shake off excess. Dip the onion into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, return the onion to the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating. Repeat for all onions.
  5. **Preheat Air Fryer:** Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
  6. **Air Fry the Onions:** Lightly spray the coated onions with cooking spray. Place 2-3 onions in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again with cooking spray, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with remaining onions.
  7. **Make the Dipping Sauce:** While the onions are cooking, combine all dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. **Serve:** Transfer the crispy mini blooming onions to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh chopped chives and serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

Notes

For best results, ensure onions are thoroughly dried after soaking to help the coating adhere better.

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for optimal crispiness.

Adjust the spice level in both the onion coating and the dipping sauce to your preference.

If you don’t have small onions, you can use a medium onion and cut it into quarters or halves before blooming each piece.

Leftover onions can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until crispy again.

Nutrition

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