Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Step 1

Combine all the sauce ingredients into a bowl, then cover and place into the refrigerator.

Step 2

Slice the onion to make it bloom. Start by cutting off 1/2 inch from the top of the onion, then peel the outer skin from the onion.

Step 3

Place the onion cut-side down. Starting about 1/2 inch from the root, make a downward cut all the way through to the cutting board. Repeat to make four evenly spaced cuts around the onion.

Step 4

Turn the onion over and set aside for 5 minutes to allow the petals to relax. Prior to breading, use your fingers to gently separate the outer pieces.

Step 5

Make 3 additional cuts between each section until you have 16 evenly spaced cuts.

Step 6

Whisk the flour, paprika, cayenne, cumin, thyme, and oregano in a large bowl. In a medium deep bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and 1 cup water.

Step 7

Place the onion in a clean bowl, cut-side up, and pour the flour mixture on top. Using a large spoon to coat the onion with the flour mixture, especially between the onion petals. Turn the onion over and pat off the excess flour. Reserve the bowl of flour.

Step 8

Transfer the onion into the egg mixture and coat evenly. Remove and let the excess drip off, then transfer back into the reserved flour mixture and repeat the flouring process.

Step 9

Place the onion into the refrigerator.

Step 10

Preheat the air fryer for 10 minutes to 350ºF.

Step 11

Remove the onion from the refrigerator and spray generously with cooking oil (vegetable or olive).

Step 12

After making a sling from a sheet of aluminum foil, transfer the onion cut side up into the fryer basket.

Step 13

Set the timer for 25 minutes and cook. Spray the onion with the cooking oil 2-3 times as you cook it fully.

Step 14

Remove onion using the aluminum foil sling and season with salt and pepper.

Step 15

Serve with the dip.

Step 16

Enjoy!