The Ultimate Crispy, Flavor-Packed Appetizer – Healthier Than Fried!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ All the crunch of deep-fried – with 90% less oil!
✔️ Perfectly spiced – smoky, garlicky, with a kick
✔️ Dipping sauce magic – tastes just like the restaurant version
✔️ Impressive presentation – wow your guests!
Ingredients
For the Onion
- 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or Walla Walla)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp each: paprika, garlic powder
- ½ tsp each: onion powder, salt, black pepper
- 2 eggs + ½ cup milk (for egg wash)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray
For the Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp horseradish
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- Salt & pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Onion (10 mins)
- Peel onion, cut off top ½ inch (keep root intact).
- Root-side up, make 4 downward cuts (like a “+”), stopping ½ inch from root.
- Make 3-4 more cuts between each quarter (12-16 total petals).
- Soak in ice water 10 mins (helps petals open).
2️⃣ Set Up Breading Station
- Bowl 1: Flour + all spices
- Bowl 2: Whisked eggs + milk
- Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs
3️⃣ Bread the Onion
- Dredge in flour (get between petals!).
- Dip in egg wash (coat thoroughly).
- Press into panko (use hands to adhere).
- Spray lightly with oil.
4️⃣ Air Fry (20 mins)
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Place onion root-side down in basket.
- Air fry 15-20 mins until deep golden.
5️⃣ Make the Sauce
- Mix all sauce ingredients until smooth.
6️⃣ Serve Hot!
- Garnish with parsley if desired.
- Pull apart petals & dunk in sauce!
Pro Tips
🔪 Cutting Hack: Use an apple corer to remove the center for easier spreading.
🔥 Extra Crispy? Spritz petals with oil halfway through cooking.
🌶 Spicy Version: Add 1 tsp cayenne to flour mix.
FAQs
Q: Can I use gluten-free flour?
A: Yes! Use GF flour + GF panko.
Q: How to store leftovers?
A: Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 5 mins (crisps back up!).
Q: No air fryer?
A: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 mins on a wire rack.
Nutrition (¼ Onion + Sauce)
| Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320 | 28g | 7g | 20g |
Healthier than the 800-calorie restaurant version!
Game day just got upgraded!
👉 Tag your creations #BloomingOnionMagic 🌰🔥
