Go Back
Chef Ava

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This Air Fryer Blooming Onion features crispy, golden pull-apart onion petals coated in a perfectly seasoned crust and served with a creamy horseradish dipping sauce. It delivers all the flavor and crunch of the restaurant favorite using far less oil, making it the ultimate appetizer for game day, parties, and family gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Buttermilk Soaking Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 265
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large sweet onion
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • cooking spray or light oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp prepared horseradish sauce
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Equipment

  • air fryer
  • sharp knife
  • large mixing bowl
  • shallow bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Cut the stem end off the onion and peel away the outer skin. Place cut-side down and make evenly spaced vertical cuts, leaving about 1/2 inch intact at the base. Gently separate the petals.
  2. Place the onion in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over it, making sure it gets between all the petals. Soak for at least 30 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish sauce, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Refrigerate until serving.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
  5. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Remove the onion from the buttermilk and allow the excess to drip away. Coat thoroughly with the seasoned flour, pressing it between every petal.
  7. Spray the coated onion generously with cooking spray or lightly mist with oil.
  8. Place the onion cut-side up in the air fryer basket.
  9. Air fry for 15–20 minutes until the petals are crispy and golden brown.
  10. Carefully transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with the chilled horseradish dipping sauce.

Notes

Use the largest sweet onion you can find for the best presentation. Cut evenly spaced slices while leaving about 1/2 inch intact at the base to keep the onion together. Soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, coat thoroughly between every petal, spray generously with oil, and serve immediately for maximum crispiness.