Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This Air Fryer Blooming Onion is the perfect copycat recipe to Outback Steakhouse’s world-famous appetizer!

Made in the air fryer for a healthier way to enjoy this appetizer, dip it in my Homemade Horseradish Sauce to fully enjoy this restaurant appetizer at home.

When you think of appetizers from your favorite restaurants’ popular options like the Blooming Onion from Outback Steakhouse is one that comes to my mind.

The Blooming Onion is replicated at other restaurants, and people love it. Dipping it in a dip that features horseradish is typically how it’s served.

This recipe for the Blooming Onion made in the Air Fryer is restaurant quality, but so much healthier made in the air fryer.

Serve this with a Homemade Horseradish Dip, and everyone will love this appetizer! This is perfect for a game day party. With the Super Bowl coming up this will be great for your party!

How to make Air Fryer Blooming Onions:

Start by preparing your onions. Peel the onions and slice the top off the onion. Turn the onions upside down and follow the directions on slicing them.

Mix your seasoning and flour for the coating and mix your egg wash together. Dredge your onion in the coating first, covering all the petals.

Dip in the egg wash and then dredge in the coating again. Allow the onions to sit for about 10 minutes to make sure the coating sticks.

While the onions sit, preheat your air fryer. Fry your blooming onions in the air fryer and while they cook make your dipping sauce. Serve with the dipping sauce and enjoy!

Ingredient Notes:

• Large Sweet Onions: The bigger the better for this recipe. Just make sure it can all fit into your air fryer.
• All-Purpose Flour
• Cornstarch
• Seasoning: I used garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Buttermilk: buttermilk is a fermented dairy drink that comes from the milk leftover when making butter. To make your own pour 1 tablespoon white vinegar in a 1 cup measuring cup. Then fill the rest with milk.
• Eggs

Directions:

Step One – Peel the onions and slice off the tops (not the root), then turn them upside down on a cutting board.

Start from the outside of the root and cut all the way though to make a slit.

Step Two – Turn the onion and make a cut on the opposite side of the onion, then continue making cuts until you have about 18-20 evenly spaced cuts.

Tip: Make as many cuts as you can without the onion falling apart.

Step Three – Turn the onions over and gently separate the petals as much as you can and cut any pieces that are still connected that you couldn’t cut while the onion was upside down.

Step Four – Whisk the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne powder together in a large bowl.

Step Five – Dredge each onion in the flour mixture and coat each petal as best as you can, turning them over to coat fully.

Step Six – Whisk the buttermilk and eggs together in a separate large bowl then dip the onions into the egg until fully coated.

Step Seven – Then dredge them in the flour mixture once again and place the onions on a cooling rack over a baking pan to sit for 10 minutes so that the breading sticks to the onion.

Step Eight – Preheat the air fryer to 380 F for 5 minutes.

Spray the air fryer with non-stick spray then place the onion in the basket, petals facing up.

Step Nine – Spray the top of the onion very well and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes then check if the onion has darkened to your liking and cook for 5 more minutes as needed.

Step Ten – Repeat the cooking process with the remaining onion and serve immediately with the refrigerated sauce and garnish with freshly minced parsley if desired.

How to make the Homemade Dipping Sauce:

This dipping sauce is a great replica of the sauce that most restaurants serve with their blooming onions.

A cream-based horseradish sauce has just enough kick that goes great with the onions!

Ingredients for the Horseradish Sauce:

• Sour Cream
• Horseradish
• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise
• Seasoning: I used Salt, paprika, and dried oregano

Directions:

Step One – Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl then cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

What does a Blooming Onion go best with?

Well one of the best entrees to serve with this is a nice, juicy steak.

I recommend a sirloin, or my husband would say a T-bone.

You can also try some of these other meals to serve with the Blooming Onion!

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers – With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, this Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers makes the perfect dinner recipe that your entire family is going to love.

Grilled Chicken Breast – It’s the perfect summer dish. This Grilled Chicken Breast is so juicy and flavorful. 

Meatloaf Recipe – This Meatloaf Recipe is a classic. Made with lean ground beef it’s full of flavor and perfectly moist, I topped it all off with a brown sugar glaze.

How to store Air Fryer Blooming Onions:

These Blooming Onions should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: I would recommend reheating in the over at 350 degrees for about 5 to 8 minutes, so they get crispy.

The sauce can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

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