A quick snack is always a good idea, especially when it’s a delicious one like these air fryer onion petals!
These crispy and flavorful onion petals are the perfect snack or side dish for any occasion. With their golden brown and crunchy texture, they are sure to be a hit with everyone.
In this recipe, we will be using a combination of flour and cornmeal to coat the onion petals, which gives them a crispy texture that is simply irresistible.
We will also be using a variety of spices to add some flavor and depth to the dish, including paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme.
And the best part? These onion petals are cooked in an air fryer, which means they are much healthier than traditional fried foods!
But that’s not all- in this post, I will also be sharing some important tips and variations that you can use to customize this recipe and make it your own.
So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy snack that is both delicious and healthy, look no further than these air fryer onion petals.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Healthier Option: These air fryer onion petals are cooked using hot air, which means they are much healthier than traditional fried foods.
You can enjoy the crispy texture and delicious flavor of fried foods without all the added fat and calories!
Perfect for Snacking or Entertaining – These onion petals are the perfect snack to munch on while watching your favorite TV show, or to serve as a tasty appetizer at your next party. They are sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more!
Easy to Make – This recipe is incredibly easy to make, even for those who are new to cooking. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying snack that’s ready in no time.
👨🍳 Air Fryer Onion Petals Ingredients
To make these air fried onion petals you will need:
- 2 Sweet Onions
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 1/4 cup Yellow Cornmeal
- 1 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon Thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
🧅 Onion Petals Air Fryer Recipe
Follow this easy recipe and make the best onion petals in air fryer:
Step 1
Start by peeling and cutting the onions into medium/small wedges, and then pull apart the wedges that are made of multiple onion layers, so you are left with individual pieces of single layered onion.
Step 2
Add the milk, eggs, and vinegar to a medium mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients together until smooth.
Step 3
In another bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
Step 4
Work in batches and coat the onion pieces with the flour and cornmeal mixture. Then, transfer them to the milk and egg batter. Coat them, shake off the excess liquid, and transfer them back to the flour mixture – coating them again.
Step 5
Spray the air fryer with cooking oil (I use olive oil spray). Transfer the onions to the basket in a single layer (air fry in batches if needed). Spray them with cooking oil.
Step 6
Air fry at 400F (200C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping the onions halfway through and spraying them with more cooking oil.
Depending on your air fryer, you may need to air fry them for up to 15 minutes until they are golden brown.
When they are done, remove from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy these tasty air fryer onion petals!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked my air fryer onion petals recipe, make sure to check out these amazing air fryer recipes as well:
- Air Fryer Banana
- Air Fryer Frozen Lasagna
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken
💡 Important Tips
Here ar my top tips for making air fryer onion petals:
1. Soak The Onions
You can soak the onions in water for at least 30 minutes. This will help to reduce the pungent flavor of the onions and make them milder.
Soaking onions helps to remove some of the bitterness that onions can have, making them sweeter and more enjoyable to eat.
After soaking, make sure to pat them dry before proceeding with the recipe. Keep in mind this step is optional! You can skip it if you don’t have the extra time! The dish will still be delicious.
2. Try Different Coatings
While the air fryer onion petals recipe calls for a mixture of flour and cornmeal, you can also experiment with different coatings to give your onion petals a unique flavor and texture.
For example, you can use panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or crushed potato chips instead of cornmeal to create a crispy texture.
3. Add Parmesan Cheese
Add a bit of grated parmesan cheese to the coating mixture to add an extra layer of flavor to your onion petals.
The cheese will melt in the air fryer and form a crispy coating that is savory and delicious.
4. Cut The Onions Uniformly
To ensure that the onion petals cook evenly, it’s important to cut them into uniform sizes.
Use a sharp knife to cut the onions into wedges that are roughly the same size. This will help the onion petals cook at the same rate, so you don’t end up with some pieces that are overcooked and others that are undercooked.
5. Add Smoky Flavor With Smoked Paprika
If you want to add a smoky flavor to your air fried onion petals, you can use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
Smoked paprika is made from peppers that have been smoked and dried over oak wood, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor that can add depth and complexity to your dish.
It pairs particularly well with onions and other savory ingredients, making it a great addition to this recipe. Use smoked paprika in place of regular paprika or in addition to it, depending on your preference for smokiness.
✔️ Variations
1. Air Fryer Cajun Onion Petals: For a spicy kick, add 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the flour and cornmeal mixture. The combination of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme will give your onion petals a delicious Creole flavor.
2. Air Fryer Honey Mustard Onion Petals: Mix together 1/4 cup of honey and 1/4 cup of mustard to create a sweet and tangy dipping sauce for your onion petals. The combination of sweet and savory flavors will be irresistible!
3. Air Fryer Ranch Onion Petals: For a classic flavor, mix together 1/2 cup of ranch dressing and 1/4 cup of sour cream. Serve the onion petals alongside the dip for a perfect snack.
4. Air Fryer Garlic Onion Petals: Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the flour and cornmeal mixture to give your onion petals a garlic flavor. The combination of garlic and onions is a match made in heaven!
5. Air Fryer Barbecue Onion Petals: Brush your onion petals with your favorite barbecue sauce before air frying.
The smoky and tangy flavor of the sauce will give your onion petals a delicious twist.
6. Air Fryer Teriyaki Onion Petals: Mix together 1/4 cup of teriyaki sauce and 1 tablespoon of honey. Use this mixture to brush the onion petals before air frying.
7. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Onion Petals: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning to the flour and cornmeal mixture to give your onion petals a citrusy flavor.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour – You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour, or gluten-free flour if needed.
Paprika – You can substitute paprika with smoked paprika or chili powder if you want a bit more spice.
Garlic Powder – You can substitute garlic powder with fresh minced garlic, garlic salt, or garlic paste.
Cayenne Pepper – You can substitute cayenne pepper with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Thyme – You can substitute thyme with dried oregano or dried rosemary.
White Vinegar – You can substitute white vinegar with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
🌟 Main Dishes Ideas
Here are a few main dishes that would pair well with these air fryer onion petals:
Air Fryer Lamb Kebab – This would be a great main dish to pair with these onion petals. The rich and savory flavors of the lamb would complement the crispy texture and sweetness of the onions.
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken – For a fun and casual meal, air fryer popcorn chicken would be a great pairing with these onion petals. The crispy and flavorful popcorn chicken would complement the crispy texture and sweetness of the onions.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches- For a classic and satisfying meal, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches would be a great choice to pair with these onion petals.
The sweet and smoky flavors of the pulled pork would complement the crispy texture and sweetness of the onions.
👍 Best Dipping Sauces
Here are some of my favorite dipping sauces to pair with this air fryer onion petals recipe:
1. Classic Ketchup and Mayonnaise Sauce: A classic dipping sauce that complements the crispy texture of the onion petals perfectly.
Mix 1/2 cup of ketchup and 1/4 cup of mayonnaise together and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
2. Spicy Sriracha Sauce: For those who like a bit of heat in their food, sriracha sauce is the perfect dipping sauce for onion petals. Mix 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
This sauce has a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that will make your taste buds dance.
3. Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce: This dipping sauce also pairs well with onion petals.
Mix 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
This sauce has a tangy and creamy flavor that goes perfectly with the sweetness of the onion petals.
4. Honey Mustard Sauce: For those who like a sweet and tangy flavor, honey mustard sauce is the perfect dip for onion petals.
To make it- simply mix 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
5. Tangy BBQ Sauce: BBQ sauce is a classic sauce that pairs well with onion petals. Mix 1/2 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
6. Garlic Aioli Sauce: If you are a garlic lover, then this sauce is perfect for you. You can easily make it at home- simply mix 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
This sauce has a creamy and garlicky flavor that goes perfectly with the crispy texture of the onion petals.
🎉 Gluten Free Version
To make a gluten-free version of this recipe, you will need to substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You can find gluten-free flour blends at most grocery stores or online.
👪 FAQ
How long should I cook the onion petals?
The cooking time for the onion petals will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. However, you should cook them for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
What type of flour should I use?
Any type of flour will work, but all-purpose flour is typically the best choice.
What kind of onions should I use?
Any type of onion will work, but sweet onions are typically the best choice. Sweet onions are milder and sweeter than other types of onions.
Can I use a different type of coating instead of flour and cornmeal?
Yes, you can experiment with different coatings such as panko breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips.
I hope you liked my air fryer onion petals recipe. This dish is so easy to make, yet so delicious. The onion petals are crispy and full of flavor, making them a great side dish or snack!
If you have any questions about this recipe- feel free to comment below. If you tried it, let me know how it turned out. Enjoy, and don’t forget to check out my other air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Onion Petals
- 2 Sweet Onions
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 1/4 cup Yellow Cornmeal
- 1 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon Thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- Start by peeling and cutting the onions into medium/small wedges, and then pull apart the wedges that are made of multiple onion layers, so you are left with individual pieces of single layered onion.
- Add the milk, eggs, and vinegar to a medium mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients together until smooth.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Work in batches and coat the onion pieces with the flour and cornmeal mixture. Then, transfer them to the milk and egg batter. Coat them, shake off the excess liquid (important, don't skip this), and transfer them back to the flour mixture – coating them again.
- Spray the air fryer with cooking oil (I use olive oil spray). Transfer the onions to the basket in a single layer (air fry in batches if needed). Spray them with cooking oil.
- Air fry at 400F (200C) for 10-12 minutes, and flip the onions halfway through ,spraying them with more cooking oil.You may need to air fry them for up to 15 minutes until they are golden brown - it depends on your air fryer.When they are done, remove from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it!
