These Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions are a lighter, homemade version of the classic appetizer—crispy, flavorful, and perfectly golden without deep frying. Great for snacks, parties, or as a side!
🧾 Ingredients
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3–4 small onions (or 2 large cut into wedges)
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1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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2 tbsp cornstarch
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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Cooking spray or oil spray
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep Onions
Peel onions and cut into wedges or “petals” (like mini blooming onions).
2️⃣ Soak
Place onion pieces in buttermilk and soak for 10–15 minutes.
3️⃣ Make Coating
In a bowl mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4️⃣ Coat Onions
Remove onions from buttermilk and coat well in the flour mixture. Press lightly for extra crispiness.
5️⃣ Air Fry
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Place onions in a single layer, spray with oil, and cook 10–12 minutes until crispy and golden.
6️⃣ Serve
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
🥣 Quick Dipping Sauce
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¼ cup mayonnaise
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1 tbsp ketchup
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½ tsp paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
Mix and serve!
⏱️ Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Cook: 12 minutes
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Total: ~27 minutes
📊 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
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Calories: ~180
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Carbs: 24g
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Protein: 4g
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Fat: 6g
⭐ WW Points: ≈4–5 Points
💡 Tips
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—cook in batches.
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Spray lightly with oil for extra crispiness.
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Add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
❓ FAQs
1️⃣ Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free flour.
2️⃣ Why aren’t my onions crispy?
They may need more oil spray or space in the basket.
3️⃣ Can I reheat leftovers?
Yes, air fry again for 3–4 minutes to crisp up.
4️⃣ Can I use large onions?
Yes, just cut into smaller blooming-style wedges.