Have you ever wanted to enjoy one of those steakhouse blooming onions at home? These air fryer blooming onion petals are the perfect way to satisfy that craving! They have way less oil compared to deep frying, and the individual petals make it perfect for sharing!
Blooming onion petals are the same type of battered, fried onion you’d find at Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, or similar establishments (I think Chili’s and Fridays have their own variations too).
However, instead of being one large onion, they are cut into individual wedges before being breaded and cooked. Think of it like a bite sized version!
The result is the same flavor and texture, but with less mess and no need for everyone’s hands to be touching your food as they try to pull it apart!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Enjoy the taste of a classic blooming onion at home, with way less oil than the deep fried version! The air fryer does a nice job of getting a browned, crispy exterior on these onion petals, and they’re perfect for dipping!
It’s basically the same concept as their full-sized counterparts, but with each of the slices already removed from the onion. This makes it much easier to eat, and less of a hassle and mess to share with others. They’re perfect for game day and your Super Bowl party!
I also love it because you no longer need a big bowl for breading a whole onion, or a giant basket to fry them up! The petals are much easier to work with, and a great option if you don’t have a ton of space.
To save even more time, you can start with a store bought version instead! Check out my recipe for Frozen Onion Petals in the Air Fryer for a handy shortcut.
Ingredients List
2 medium sweet onions (or 3 if they’re very small)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp oregano
For the Dipping Sauce (Optional)
½ cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp creamy horseradish sauce
1 Tbsp chili sauce (or ketchup)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp cumin
¼ tsp oregano
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use cornmeal instead of the cornstarch or omit it and add a little extra flour. I just find it gives you a slightly crispier exterior, which is why I like the blend
Instead of buttermilk, you can also use regular milk
All seasonings are adjustable to taste so you can increase, decrease, or omit as desired (the flavors will change slightly of course, but it will still be tasty)!
Step By Step Instructions
Peel your onions, trim the ends off, and cut them in half. Then, slice into approximately 1” thick slices (keep them as even as possible for even cooking) and separate the slices
In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk and eggs, stirring until well combined. Add the onion slices to the mixture to soak
Using another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and all of the seasonings. Stir well so that everything is evenly distributed
Spray your air fryer’s basket or rack with nonstick spray
Working in batches, transfer the onion petals from the buttermilk mixture into the breading, tossing to coat. A slotted spoon or tongs works well here, or you can use your hands
Add the breaded onion petals to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, then spray the tops with a light mist of oil or nonstick spray
Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, stopping halfway to gently flip them and reapply oil. Petals are done when they are golden brown and onions are slightly softened (add additional time in small increments as needed, as air fryers can differ)
While the onions are cooking, combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine
Serve blooming onion petals hot, with sauce on the side for dipping!
What Is the Recommended Temperature and Time for Air Frying Blooming Onion Petals?
Set the air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) and cook the blooming onion petals for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
The onions should be slightly softened, but still hold their shape (not soggy).
How Do I Prevent Blooming Onion Petals from Sticking to the Air Fryer Basket?
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil before placing the blooming onion petals to prevent sticking.
You could also use perforated parchment paper for this, but make sure it is perforated (has holes in it). You don’t want to block air flow or your petals will not crisp.
Are There Alternative Dipping Sauces for Blooming Onion Petals?
Absolutely! Experiment with different dipping sauces such as spicy mayo, ranch, or a tangy aioli to enhance the flavor of your blooming onion petals.
The blooming onion sauce, while traditional, is not absolutely required, as the petals themselves are well seasoned.
Can I Make Blooming Onion Petals Ahead of Time and Reheat Them in the Air Fryer?
Blooming onion petals are best enjoyed fresh, however, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
To make further ahead, freeze them individually and store in a bag for 2-3 months. They can be heated directly from frozen.
What Variations Can I Try with the Batter for Blooming Onion Petals?
Experiment with different spices and herbs in the batter to create variations such as a spicy or herbed blooming onion.
You do not want to add too much liquid or do a beer batter for the air fryer, as it doesn’t work the same as a deep fryer. This will make a mess and leave you with little to no breading on the onions.
Recipe Pro Tips
I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do, reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes to start to compensate for the warmer starting temperature so you don’t overcook them
If you have any white flour spots after cooking, this means you missed a spot with the oil spray. They still taste fine (especially dipped in sauce), but if you want to “fix” it, spray any spots with additional oil or cooking spray and cook another 1-2 minutes just to crisp them
You can also double bread your onion petals by dipping them into the liquid and back into the breading a second time (make sure to double the breading recipe if you do this). This creates a thicker crust on the onions (which is not my preference, but some may like this)!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Onion petals are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can refrigerate leftovers and reheat for 2-3 minutes at 350°F in your air fryer to re-crisp them
You can also individually freeze them on a cookie sheet and then bag them and store for 2-3 months. Add 2-3 extra minutes if reheating from frozen to account for the colder temperature
Air fryer blooming onion petals are the perfect crispy bite sized appetizer or snack, and a great alternative to the deep fried steakhouse version.
Dip these onion bites in homemade sauce or your other favorite dipper for a bite that’s packed with flavor and crunch, all with less oil than deep frying!
They make a great game day or Super bowl option, especially since not everyone has to try and pull from the same onion. You can even offer multiple dips to easily please everyone!
These air fryer blooming onion petals are fried onion bites akin to your favorite steakhouse appetizer. They’re crispy, dippable, and perfect for snacking!
Peel your onions, trim the ends off, and cut them in half. Then, slice into approximately 1” thick slices (keep them as even as possible for even cooking) and separate the slices
2 Medium sweet onions
In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk and eggs, stirring until well combined. Add the onion slices to the mixture to soak
2 Large eggs, 1 Cup buttermilk
Using another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and all of the seasonings. Stir well so that everything is evenly distributed
1 Cup all purpose flour, ¼ Cup cornstarch, 1 Tsp paprika, 1 Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, ½ Tsp cayenne pepper, ½ Tsp garlic powder, ½ Tsp dried oregano
Spray your air fryer’s basket or rack with nonstick spray
Nonstick or oil spray
Working in batches, transfer the onion petals from the buttermilk mixture into the breading, tossing to coat. A slotted spoon or tongs works well here, or you can use your hands
Add the breaded onion petals to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, then spray the tops with a light mist of oil or nonstick spray to wet the breading
Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, stopping halfway to gently flip them and reapply oil. Petals are done when they are golden brown and onions are slightly softened (add additional time in small increments as needed, as air fryers can differ)
While the onions are cooking, combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine (or grab another sauce of choice)
½ Cup mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp creamy horseradish sauce, 1 Tbsp chili sauce, ½ Tsp garlic powder, ½ Tsp paprika, ¼ Tsp cumin, ¼ Tsp oregano, ½ Tsp salt, ¼ Tsp black pepper
Serve blooming onion petals hot, with sauce on the side for dipping!
Notes
You can use cornmeal instead of the cornstarch or omit it and add a little extra flour. I just find it gives you a slightly crispier exterior, which is why I like the blend
Instead of buttermilk, you can also use regular milk
All seasonings are adjustable to taste so you can increase, decrease, or omit as desired (the flavors will change slightly of course, but it will still be tasty)!
I did not preheat my Ninja air fryer for this recipe. If you do, reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes to start to compensate for the warmer starting temperature so you don’t overcook them
If you have any white flour spots after cooking, this means you missed a spot with the oil spray. They still taste fine (especially dipped in sauce), but if you want to “fix” it, spray any spots with additional oil or cooking spray and cook another 1-2 minutes just to crisp them
You can also double bread your onion petals by dipping them into the liquid and back into the breading a second time (make sure to double the breading recipe if you do this). This creates a thicker crust on the onions (which is not my preference, but some may like this)!
Onion petals are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can refrigerate leftovers and reheat for 2-3 minutes at 350°F in your air fryer to re-crisp them
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, sauce choice, size of onions, and quantity consumed. Values assumes total use of all breading and sauce ingredients, which is more than typical actuality, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
