How to Make an Air Fried Blooming Onion (Gluten-Free)
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There may be affiliate links within the post.
It’s time to put your air fryer skills to the test and learn how to make an air fried blooming onion. This happens to be easy to adapt to gluten-free too!
As soon as I whipped up these Gluten-Free Air Fryer Onion Rings, I knew the next recipe on my list would soon be an Air Fried Blooming Onion.
Have you ever had a blooming onion before? I watch with envy at the fair as my husband devours one. The sad part for me is since I’m gluten-free, I have to avoid that blooming onion.
Now that I know how to make one at home, life is just so much better. Can you imagine? Maybe that’s dramatic but I am telling you this air fried blooming onion was gone in less than 5 minutes.
Not sure about an Air Fryer? Check out this post on Everything You Need to Know about An Air Fryer too!
There are plenty of tips though to go around with this air fryer recipe. When making an air fried blooming onion, it’s actually simple but it does take a little bit of adapting to get the feel for what works best for you.
How to make an Air Fried Blooming Onion
I have seen many recipes on how to make blooming onions and each one is just a little bit different technique. It’s honestly going to come down to your personal preference. I am going to share mine with you, the key I found was a good soak in buttermilk, plus a nice brush.
First, let’s start with cutting the onion.
Before you begin to cut it, peel it first. I found the best way to cut this was to cut one end flat and the other end that has that root to it, just trim that off and keep it still intact.
Once you have that down, you want to slightly cut down from the root to the end that is flat to make the petals. Once you have it cut, slowly peel back the onion.
It’s important to get the onion separated but also still keep the bottom together, slow and steady.
Once you have it fully opened, place it in a shallow bowl and cover it with buttermilk. If the buttermilk doesn’t fully soak it all the way, flip the onion over after an hour of soaking to soak the other side.
Once they are soaked, it’s time to coat them with the eggs. I found it was best to do this with a good basting brush because it was easy to get into all the layers of the onion. Remember it doesn’t all have to be perfect but lightly coated.
Once that is done, I went ahead and put the onion in the air fryer on a sheet of foil.
After that, add in the breadcrumb mixture. This can be sprinkled onto the onion or you can dip the onion in the mixture.
The last step is to evenly coat the onion with a dash of salt to taste and cajun seasoning.
It gives it a burst of flavor.
Then, it’s time to make an air fried blooming onion!
Why do you need to soak onion in buttermilk?
It’s best to soak the onion in buttermilk because it sets it up to have the egg and breadcrumbs stick better. It also helps eliminate some of that potent flavor to the onions. It takes them down a few notches.
How long do you cook an Air Fried Blooming Onion?
It takes about 15 minutes to cook an air fryer blooming onion at 390 degrees. I suggest checking it halfway through the cooking time due to all air fryers putting off a different amount of heat.
How do you make a Gluten-Free Air Fried Blooming Onion?
It’s easy to make this air fryer recipe gluten-free with a simple swap of ingredients. I use a gluten-free all-purpose flour such as Better Batter and Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs. That’s it!
Now, are you ready to make the BEST Gluten-Free Air Fried Blooming Onion?
It’s time!
Be sure to sign up for the Newsletter to get Air Fryer Recipes right to your inbox!

Air Fried Blooming Onion (Gluten-Free)
Make the best Air Fried Blooming Onion that is also easy to make Gluten-Free too!
Ingredients
- 1 Large Sweet Onion
- 1 Cup Buttermilk
- 1-2 Cups Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour or Regular Flour
- 2 Eggs, Beaten
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs or Regular Bread Crumbs
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Cajun Seasoning
Instructions
- Begin by peeling the onion.
- Once it's peeled, trim the side with the root just to make it trimmed and more flat.
- Cut the other side flat.
- Starting at the root, slice it down from the root to the other end, space it out and do the same all the way around the onion.
- Carefully separate each layer.
- Soak the onion for 1-2 hours in the buttermilk.
- Once it's fully soaked, shake off any excess liquid and then place the onion in the flour, start with 1 cup of flour and add additional as needed. Coat well.
- Once it's fully coated, use a brush and carefully brush the egg onto the onion being sure to get into each layer.
- Spray a sheet of foil with Olive Oil Spray, cut the foil to fit into the air fryer rolling it up on the sides so that air can still easily circulate.
- Place the onion carefully on the foil.
- Coat with the breadcrumbs.
- Lastly evenly sprinkle with salt and seasoning.
- At this point, you can do another coat of olive oil spray just to add some extra moisture.
- Cook in the air fryer at 390 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove and serve.
Notes
Be sure to check on the onion after about 8 minutes to be sure it does not overcook. Each air fryer is going to heat a little bit differently. This took 15 minutes in our air fryer without pre-heating.
The instructions are detailed; however, this recipe is quite simple and remember that you are going to likely find a method that works best for you as you go about making it.
Keep these things in mind:
- Soak in Buttermilk
- Dip in Flour
- Coat with Egg
- Sprinkle on the breadcrumbs and seasoning
- Air Fry
- Eat!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 447Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 972mgCarbohydrates: 83gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 16g
This is going to vary based on exact products and amounts used.
29 Comments
Jeannine meador
April 30, 2019 at 7:31 am
I am slightly confused. Am I reading the recipe incorrectly or is there a misprint…it says TWO cups of flour for ONE onion. That seems extreme and the onion does not appear to be encased in a thick batter. Could you clarify please. Thanks so much…it looks delicious and I want to try it but as I stated am uncertain about the ingredients.
Kristy
April 30, 2019 at 8:12 am
I did use 2 cups – I normally have a bit left but that tends to work well for me; however you can start with 1 cup and add more as needed so there isn’t any wasted. I am going to make that note and adjust here shortly in the recipe card to clarify. Thank you so much for asking and mentioning that.
Jeannine Meador
May 1, 2019 at 8:02 am
Thanks so much Kristy for replying so quickly. I bought Vidalia onions and I am going to be enjoying your recipe tonight!!! Or maybe this afternoon. Or now? Is it too early in the day for a blooming onion? Nah. Enjoy. Life is short. Have a great day and thanks so much for your great site…love getting new recipes to try.
Jennifer Wise
May 9, 2019 at 9:18 am
No way. This is such a cool recipe. I’m so excited to try it! Pinning, too. 🙂
#graceathomelinkup
Jenny
May 9, 2019 at 5:19 pm
What a pretty onion. This looks amazing! I might need to get an air fryer- this would be great to have. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
How to Make an Air Fried Blooming Onion – Mommy Hates Cooking
May 9, 2019 at 5:38 pm
[…] Have you ever had a blooming onion before? I watch with envy at the fair as my husband devours one. The sad part for me is since I’m gluten-free, I have to avoid that blooming onion. […]
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms – Air Fryer Fanatics
June 5, 2019 at 6:30 am
[…] Be sure to also serve the Air Fried Blooming Onion! […]
The top 20 Ideas About Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 17, 2019 at 10:43 am
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Of the Best Ideas for Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 17, 2019 at 11:24 am
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Ideas for Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 19, 2019 at 9:06 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Best Ideas Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 19, 2019 at 9:11 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Of the Best Ideas for Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 19, 2019 at 9:40 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
The top 20 Ideas About Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 19, 2019 at 10:07 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
The Best Ideas for Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 19, 2019 at 10:18 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 19, 2019 at 10:30 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Ideas for Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 20, 2019 at 2:15 am
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
The 20 Best Ideas for Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 20, 2019 at 6:49 am
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
Best 20 Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
September 20, 2019 at 6:06 pm
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
Air Fryer Seasoned Pretzels (Gluten-Free) – Air Fryer Fanatics
September 23, 2019 at 6:35 am
[…] If you enjoy these Air Fryer Seasoned Pretzels, you’ll also love this Air Fried Blooming Onion. […]
The Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
October 3, 2019 at 12:17 am
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs – Air Fryer Fanatics
November 11, 2019 at 6:32 am
[…] pair nicely with an air fried blooming onion too…just knock that fair food out of the […]
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms – Mommy Hates Cooking
November 11, 2019 at 12:31 pm
[…] Be sure to also serve the Air Fried Blooming Onion! […]
The top 20 Ideas About Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe – Best Round Up Recipe Collections
January 8, 2020 at 4:27 am
[…] (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion Recipe from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
MT
January 9, 2020 at 9:18 pm
I didn’t love this. I didn’t find that the buttermilk really did anything. I found pockets of too much flour inside and the onion was cooked but not easy to pull apart after cooking. I liked the flavor though so I’d experiment with it more. I had a lot of flour left over and I used a full egg and used my silicone brush to push it in between the onion folds. I think lower heat and longer time might be key for me. I don’t have an air fryer like a toaster oven and it cooks hot.
The top 20 Ideas About Air Fryer Blooming Onion – Home, Family, Style and Art Ideas
January 28, 2020 at 6:23 am
[…] Best Air Fryer Blooming Onion from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
20 Ideas for Blooming Onion In Air Fryer – Home, Family, Style and Art Ideas
March 7, 2020 at 6:23 pm
[…] Best Blooming Onion In Air Fryer from How to Make an Air Fried Blooming ion Gluten Free. Source Image: airfryerfanatics.com. Visit this site for details: airfryerfanatics.com […]
Busy Monday 425 | | A Pinch of Joy
July 12, 2020 at 3:32 pm
[…] Claire Justine — Twist on a Classic Caribbean Afternoon Tea Air Fryer Fanatics – How to Make an Air Fried Blooming Onion Blessed Simplicity – Preparing Your Home for Foster Care Pillar Box Blue – Faux […]
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
July 13, 2020 at 3:33 pm
YUM! This looks so amazingly delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe this week with us at #HomeMattersParty
Elizabeth Barnett
January 5, 2021 at 9:48 pm
I tried this and it was absolutely horrible – I need to try this again with the right kind of onion!!!!!