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Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe with Easy Tangy Dipping Sauce

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A crispy, golden blooming onion cooked in the air fryer for a healthier twist on a classic appetizer, served with a tangy and flavorful dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or other sweet variety)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
  • Cooking spray
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (for dipping sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup (for dipping sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish (for dipping sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (for dipping sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (for dipping sauce)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (for dipping sauce)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (for dipping sauce)

Instructions

  1. Trim off the top (stem end) of the onion, leaving the root intact. Peel off the outer skin.
  2. Place the onion root-side down on a cutting board. Make 12–16 vertical cuts about ½ inch apart, stopping just before the root. Gently spread the petals apart to open the onion like a flower.
  3. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk until combined.
  4. In another bowl, mix the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
  5. Dip the blooming onion into the egg mixture, coating all petals. Let excess drip off.
  6. Dredge the onion in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat between petals.
  7. Repeat the coating by dipping again into the egg mixture and then the flour mixture for a double coating.
  8. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
  9. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the onion root-side down in the basket. Lightly spray the top of the onion with cooking spray.
  10. Cook for 15–18 minutes, checking halfway to spray petals again and flip if needed, until golden brown and crispy.
  11. While the onion cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
  12. Remove the blooming onion carefully from the air fryer and serve immediately with the tangy dipping sauce.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or chickpea flour. For dairy-free, use coconut milk or dairy-free milk instead of buttermilk and plant-based mayo for the dipping sauce. Double coating and spraying with cooking spray are key to crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The dipping sauce tastes better after chilling for 20 minutes or more.

Nutrition

Keywords: blooming onion, air fryer, appetizer, crispy onion, tangy dipping sauce, easy snack, healthier fried onion

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-blooming-onion-recipe-with-easy-tangy-dipping-sauce/