If you’re ready for an awesome, addicting snack these Air Fryer Onion Petals are it! This tasty take on an air fried bloomin’ onion is perfect for snacking on at parties and game day.
Ingredients
For Onion Batter
2 large sweet onions
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
¼-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
¾ teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 eggs
Dipping Sauce
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ketchup
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Peel and cut the sweet onions into medium-sized wedges, keeping the wedges similar in size for even cooking. Pull apart the wedges that have more than one onion layer so each wedge becomes a single piece of onion.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the milk, white vinegar, and eggs. Mix until blended and smooth. In another medium sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well. *Use ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper for milder breading and ½ teaspoon for a spiced breading.
Working in batches, coat the onion pieces in the flour and cornmeal mixture. Transfer to the milk and egg batter, stirring to thoroughly coat them. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onion back to the cornmeal and flour mixture, shaking off excess liquid. Stir well to coat thoroughly in the breading.
Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking oil. Transfer the breaded onions to the basket, arranging them in one layer and not touching. Spray generously with cooking oil so each onion is completely covered in oil.
Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204°C) for 12 minutes. Flip the onions halfway through and spray again with cooking oil. Continue air frying until a deep golden brown, increasing the time in 2 minute increments if not done at 12 minutes. Use tongs to carefully remove onion petals from the air fryer to a serving plate.
While the onion petals are air frying, make the dipping sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small serving bowl and refrigerate until onion petals are ready to serve.
Notes
Storing: if you have any left to store (you probably won’t), keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. They can also be frozen in freezer safe storage bags for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen or after thawing in the air fryer to regain some crispiness.
Tips For Getting Perfectly Crisp Onion Petals
Using a combination of cornmeal and flour is key to getting a flavorful, crispy, fully covered onion wedge! If you only use flour it will not have enough of a “fried” texture to feel like you’re eating a real bloomin onion.
Use enough oil to fully coat the onions after adding to the air fryer basket. The oil is necessary to not just create a deep golden brown color, but to turn the batter crispy just as if it were deep fried.
Make sure not to stack the wedges and keep them from touching as best you can. This lets them crisp up on all sides evenly.
Using a slotted spoon to remove the onions from the liquid batter helps you to easily shake off excess batter right through the holes in the spoon.
