Crispy • Flavorful • Healthier
Enjoy the iconic appetizer at home with less oil while keeping it crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Onion
- 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or yellow onion)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2–3 tbsp milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- Cooking spray or 1–2 tsp oil for air fryer
Optional Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp ketchup or hot sauce
- ½ tsp paprika
- Pinch garlic powder
- Pinch salt
🔥 Instructions
1. Prep the onion
- Peel the onion and cut off the top (stem side), leaving root intact.
- Slice downward, about 8–12 cuts around the onion, without cutting all the way through, creating “petals.”
- Carefully separate the layers to form a “bloom.”
2. Breading the onion
- In a small bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk egg + milk.
- Dip the onion first into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, making sure all petals are coated.
- Optional: double-dip for extra crunch — egg then flour again.
3. Preheat air fryer
- Set air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Spray the basket lightly with cooking spray.
4. Air-fry the onion
- Place the onion root-side down in the air fryer basket.
- Lightly spray top with oil.
- Cook 15–20 minutes, checking halfway and spraying lightly again if needed, until golden brown and crispy.
5. Prepare dipping sauce
- Mix Greek yogurt, ketchup, paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl.
- Serve warm with the blooming onion.
💡 Tips for Success
- Keep the root intact — it holds the petals together.
- Separate petals gently to allow even cooking.
- Lightly spray oil for crispiness without deep frying.
- Serve immediately for best texture.
🔁 Variations
- Spicy Cajun: add extra cayenne and smoked paprika to flour mix
- Cheesy Bloom: sprinkle 2 tbsp Parmesan on top after cooking
- Low-Carb: use almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of regular flour
📊 Nutrition (Approximate, per serving, 4 servings)
- Calories: 120–150 kcal
- Protein: 3–4g
- Carbs: 20–22g
- Fat: 4–5g
