Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Blooming Onion)
Perfectly Crispy and Tender Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe: Ideal for Snacks and Beer Pairings
Enjoy a delightful fried onion treat using fresh onions that’s loved by everyone! With the help of an air fryer, you can achieve a wonderfully crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior for your ‘Blooming Onion’ without deep-frying. It’s perfect as an impressive dish for home parties, a simple snack with drinks, or even a fun treat for kids. The savory notes from shrimp crackers and the aromatic curry powder add an extra special touch to this delicious recipe!
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 1/2 bag (approx. 30-40g) shrimp crackers
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour for frying (approx. 100g)
- 3 tablespoons starch (potato or corn)
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 5 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- A little cooking oil (for spray)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by washing and peeling the onion. Trim a tiny bit off the root end to create a stable base, and cut off about 1/4 from the stem end. Place the onion upright on a cup lid or a wide bowl. Using a sharp knife, carefully make 16 evenly spaced cuts towards the base, but do not cut all the way through. This creates the beautiful ‘blooming’ or ‘flower’ effect.
Step 2
Submerge the scored onion in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. This crucial step helps to remove the onion’s natural pungent and sharp flavors, making it sweeter and more pleasant to eat. Soaking it thoroughly will enhance its natural sweetness.
Step 3
While the onion is soaking, prepare the shrimp crackers. Crush them into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. This powdered shrimp cracker will add a unique savory flavor and extra crispiness to the coating.
Step 4
In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered shrimp crackers, frying flour, starch, curry powder, and parsley flakes. Mix them thoroughly until well combined and there are no lumps. This seasoned flour mixture will form the flavorful coating for your onion.
Step 5
Carefully remove the soaked onion from the water and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Ensuring the onion is dry is key for the coating to adhere properly. Once dry, generously coat the onion with the seasoned flour mixture, making sure to get the powder into all the crevices. Gently shake or pat it to ensure an even coating.
Step 6
In a separate bowl, whisk the 2 eggs with 3 tablespoons of water until smooth to create an egg wash. Dip the flour-coated onion into the egg wash, ensuring that each petal is evenly coated. This will act as a binder for the subsequent layers of coating.
Step 7
For maximum crispiness, repeat the coating process: coat in seasoned flour, then dip in egg wash. For an extra crisp texture, you can repeat the flour -> egg wash sequence one more time if desired. Finally, generously sprinkle breadcrumbs all over the coated onion, pressing lightly so they adhere well. This will give it a wonderfully crunchy finish.
Step 8
Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place the coated onion on top, ensuring it’s not overcrowded. Lightly spray the entire surface of the onion with cooking oil. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 15 minutes. Flipping it halfway through will help it brown more evenly.
Step 9
And there you have it! After 15 minutes, your beautifully golden and crispy onion rings are ready. Enjoy the delightful contrast of the crunchy exterior and the sweet, tender interior of your homemade ‘Blooming Onion’. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup or sweet chili sauce!
