Crispy Air Fryer Blooming Onion

The root end stays intact so the onion holds together: cuts run downward into 12 to 16 sections and the petals are eased apart.

Seasoned flour, a buttermilk and egg wash and panko go on in turn, worked down between the petals, then 18 to 22 minutes at 375°F crisps it.

How to Make It

1. Onion cut

   Trim the onion top, leave the root intact and peel. Cut downward into 12 to 16 sections without cutting through the root, then gently separate the petals.

2. Breaded

   Mix the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and cayenne in one bowl. Whisk the eggs and buttermilk in another. Coat the onion thoroughly in flour, then egg mixture, then panko, working coating between the petals.

3. Air fried

   Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Spray the coated onion generously with cooking spray and air fry 18 to 22 minutes, adding another light spray halfway through, until deeply golden and tender.

4. Sauce and serve

   Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish and paprika for the dipping sauce. Serve the onion whole with the sauce.

Ingredient Notes

Sweet onion

One large, cut into 12 to 16 petals with the root left intact.

Coating

Seasoned flour, buttermilk and egg, then panko.

Dipping sauce

Mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish and paprika.

Success Tips

• Cut down toward the root but never through it.
• Separate the petals gently before breading so the coating reaches inside.
• Spray again halfway through for even browning.

Why This Recipe Works

• Leaving the root intact is what keeps the flower in one piece.
• Working the coating between the petals gets crust all the way in.
• Cooking spray helps the air fryer brown the crumbs.
• A second spray halfway through evens out the colour.

Serving Ideas

Serve the onion whole on a plate with the dipping sauce in the middle or alongside.

Storage and Reheating