Ingredients:
1 large onion For the batter: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup buttermilk For the dipping sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons horseradish sauce 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the onion:
- Cut off the top of the onion and peel it, leaving the root end intact. Slice about 1 inch off the root end and discard.
- Make vertical cuts into the onion, starting from the top and stopping about 1/2 inch from the root end, creating “petals.” Be careful not to cut all the way through. You should have about 16-20 cuts.
- Prepare the batter:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, pour the buttermilk.
- Coat the onion:
- Dip the onion into the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat the onion with the seasoned flour mixture, making sure to get the batter into the cuts of the onion.
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Air fry the onion:
- Place the coated onion into the preheated air fryer basket.
- Air fry for about 12-15 minutes, then carefully flip the onion with a pair of tongs.
- Continue to air fry for an additional 12-15 minutes or until the onion is golden brown and crispy.
- Make the dipping sauce:
- While the onion is cooking, prepare the dipping sauce by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl. Adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Serve:
- Once the blooming onion is cooked to your desired crispiness, remove it from the air fryer.
- Serve the air-fried blooming onion hot with the dipping sauce on the side.