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Air Fried Pearl Onions (Mini Blooming Onions) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 81 reviews
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Total Time: 21 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 3 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Air Fried Pearl Onions, also known as Mini Blooming Onions, are a crispy, flavorful appetizer made by coating partially cooked pearl onions in a seasoned flour and egg batter, then air frying them to golden perfection. This easy-to-make recipe offers a healthier twist on the classic blooming onion using the air fryer for a crispy finish with less oil.

Ingredients

Onion Preparation

  • 1/2 bag frozen pearl onions

Breading

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Binding

  • 1 egg

Other

  • oil in a spray bottle (for air frying)

Instructions

  1. Partially cook the onions: Microwave the frozen pearl onions for half the time recommended on the package (typically about 2 minutes). This softens them without fully cooking.
  2. Prepare the egg wash: Crack the egg into a medium bowl and beat it until smooth.
  3. Mix the flour coating: In another bowl, combine the flour, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
  4. Dry the onions: Drain the partially cooked onions in a colander and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the coating stick better.
  5. Coat the onions: Working in batches of 6 onions at a time, first dip them into the flour mixture, stirring to coat. Shake off the excess flour with a fork.
  6. Egg dip: Transfer the floured onions into the beaten egg mixture, stir gently to coat all sides, then lift them out letting the extra egg drip off.
  7. Second flour coating: Return the onions to the flour mixture for a second coating to build a thicker, crispier crust.
  8. Chill: Place the coated onions on a tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes. This chilling step helps the batter adhere better during cooking.
  9. Preheat air fryer: Heat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes to ensure a hot cooking environment.
  10. Arrange onions: Place the coated onions in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
  11. First air fry: Spray the onions lightly with oil using a spray bottle. Air fry at 380°F for 3 minutes to start crisping the coating.
  12. Shake and second spray: Shake the basket to turn the onions, spray with oil again, and continue air frying for another 3 minutes until crispy and golden.

Notes

  • You can also thaw frozen pearl onions by soaking them in cold water for an hour instead of microwaving.
  • When coating, work in small batches of 6-8 onions, using a fork to transfer between bowls to keep the batter even and tidy.
  • Do not skip chilling for 10 minutes after coating; this helps the coating stick better during air frying.
  • Avoid commercial cooking sprays in the air fryer as they can damage the basket’s nonstick coating; use an inexpensive spray bottle filled with regular cooking oil instead.
  • To bake instead of air fry, bake coated onions at 400°F (204°C) for 15-20 minutes until crispy.

Find it online: https://emilysplate.com/air-fried-pearl-onions-mini-blooming-onions-recipe/