Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (you can use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness)
• Cooking spray or olive oil spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
2. Prepare the Onion: Cut off the top of the onion and peel off the skin. Place the onion cut-side down on a cutting board. Starting 1/2 inch from the root, make a downward cut all the way through the onion, then make additional cuts spaced about 1/2 inch apart until you have several evenly spaced cuts around the entire onion.
3. Soak the Onion: Place the onion in a bowl of cold water and let it soak for about 10 minutes. This will help the petals open up.
4. Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
5. Coat the Onion: Remove the onion from the water and shake off any excess moisture. Starting at the center of the onion, carefully separate the petals and dredge the onion in the flour mixture, making sure to coat it well. Shake off any excess flour. Dip the onion in the beaten eggs, then coat it with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
6. Air Fry the Onion: Lightly coat the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Place the coated onion in the air fryer basket, root-side down. Lightly spray the top of the onion with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
7. Cook: Air fry the onion at 360°F (180°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is golden brown and crispy. You may need to rotate the onion halfway through cooking for even browning.
8. Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the blooming onion from the air fryer basket and transfer it to a serving plate. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as spicy mayo, ranch dressing, or ketchup.