Step 1

Use a sharp knife to cut a half inch off the top of the onion.  Then peel off all of the papery skin.

Step 2

Place the cut side of the onion onto your cutting board so that it is stable.  (The root should be facing up.)

Step 3

Leave some space by the root as you make a cut all the way down from the root side of the onion down to the cutting board.  Do not cut into the root.  Begin your cuts just outside of the root.

Step 4

Turn the onion ¼ turn and cut through again from near the root down to the cutting board.  Turn the onion ¼ turn again and repeat.  Turn again ¼ and repeat.  You should have 4 evenly spaced cuts from the root side of the onion, all the way down to the cutting board.  Again, do not cut into the root, leave it intact.

Step 5

Now you will make 4 evenly spaced cuts between each of your 4 cuts.  This will give you 16 equal size sections of onion, all attached at the root.

Step 6

Flip the onion over (so the root is again at the bottom).  Set the onion, root side down, into a large bowl.  Allow it to rest this way for 10 minutes, so that the sections spread out a little.

Step 7

While the onion is sitting, prepare the batter and panko crumbs.

Step 8

In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.  Stir in 1 cup of milk.  Set this aside.

Step 9

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of panko crumbs and 1 teaspoon seasoning salt.  Set this aside.

Step 10

Then use your fingers to gently separate and open up the pieces of the onion.

Step 11

Pour the batter over the onion.  Use a spoon to try to get the batter into all of the spaces and coat the onion completely.  Lift the onion with a large slotted spoon (use 2 if you need to) and allow the extra batter to drip off.

Step 12

Spoon the panko crumb mixture over the onion, trying to get into every crevice.

Step 13

Spray the air fryer basket generously with oil. Set the onion in the air fryer basket, root side down,cut side up.

Step 14

Spray the onion with cooking oil.

Step 15

Cook the onion for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.  Spray it again with the oil and cook for another 10 minutes.  If you would like it to be darker, continue cooking at 5 minute intervals.

Step 16

Use a heavy spatula to remove the bloomin onion from the air fryer.