Posted by These air fryer fried onions are crispy, golden, and full of flavor—just like deep-fried ones, but made with much less oil. They’re perfect for topping burgers, hot dogs, green bean casserole, or just eating as a crunchy snack. They cook up fast in the air fryer with minimal mess.
Ingredients
- 2 large onions (yellow or white), thinly sliced into rings or strips
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable, olive, or spray)
Instructions
- Prep the Onions:
Peel and slice onions into thin rings or strips. Separate them well so they cook evenly. - Soak in Buttermilk:
Place sliced onions in a bowl with the buttermilk. Let them soak for 10–15 minutes. This softens them and helps the coating stick. - Mix Coating:
In another bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. - Coat the Onions:
Take onions out of the buttermilk, shake off excess liquid, then toss them in the flour mixture to coat well. - Preheat Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. - Add Oil:
Lightly spray or toss the coated onions with oil so they crisp up nicely. - Air Fry:
Place onions in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. - Serve:
Let them cool slightly before serving. They’ll get crispier as they cool.
Tips & Tricks
- Even Slices: Slice the onions evenly for uniform cooking.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Fry in small batches to keep them crispy.
- Oil Spray: Use a light oil spray instead of pouring oil—it helps crisp without sogginess.
- Extra Crunch: Add a little cornstarch to the flour mix for more crunch.
Storage
Let leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them back up.
Air Fryer Fried Onions
Crispy fried onions made in the air fryer with less oil—perfect for toppings or snacks.
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: About 2 cups
Ingredients
- 2 onions, sliced thin
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp oil or oil spray
Instructions
- Soak onion slices in buttermilk for 10–15 mins.
- Mix flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Coat onions in flour mix.
- Spray with oil and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 mins.
- Shake halfway and cook until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Slice onions evenly for best results.
- Reheat leftovers in air fryer to keep them crispy.
