Go Back
–+ servings
Air Fryer Blooming Onion Bites

Air Fryer Blooming Onion Bites

3.93 from 14 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Crispy, smoky-seasoned Air Fryer Blooming Onion Bites made from frozen pearl onions — all the flavor of a blooming onion in a 20-minute, no-fryer snack. Includes a copycat dipping sauce.

Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces frozen pearl onions, do not thaw
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground thyme
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional dipping sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoons horseradish, prepared
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, paprika, oregano, ground thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Add the frozen pearl onions straight from the freezer (do not defrost). Toss gently until evenly coated.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the onions in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed.
  • Air fry for 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp at the edges.
  • Let cool for 2 minutes, then serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cooking spray (optional)

Notes

  • Don't thaw the onions — frozen onions release less water and crisp far better.
  • Single layer only. Crowding steams the onions instead of crisping them; cook in batches if necessary.
  • For the full breaded crunch: dredge in flour, dip in egg, coat in seasoned panko, spritz with oil, and air fry at 380°F for 12–15 minutes.
  • Storage: refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes (not the microwave).
  • Gluten-free as written; the breaded variation is not unless you use GF flour and panko.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 349mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 93IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg