Air Fried Crispy Onion

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Air Fried Crispy Onions

Light, crunchy, and golden brown—perfect for topping burgers, casseroles (like green bean), soups, or just snacking!

📝 Ingredients (Makes ~1.5 cups crispy onions)

Main:

  • 1 large yellow or sweet onion, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice)

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for low-carb option)

  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (makes them extra crispy)

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)

  • Salt & black pepper to taste

  • Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray

🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Onion

  • Thinly slice onion into rings or strips.

  • Soak in buttermilk for at least 15–30 minutes to soften and remove bite. (Optional but recommended.)

2. Prepare the Coating

  • In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

  • Remove onions from buttermilk, shake off excess, and dredge them in the flour mixture until well-coated.

  • Shake off excess flour and spread in a single layer on a plate or tray.

3. Preheat Air Fryer

  • Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.

4. Air Fry in Batches

  • Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil.

  • Place a single layer of coated onion slices into the basket (don’t overcrowd).

  • Spray onions lightly with oil.

  • Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through.

  • Cook until golden brown and crisp. Add more time if needed.

5. Cool & Serve

  • Let them cool slightly—they’ll crisp up more as they cool.

  • Serve immediately or use as a topping.

❓ Q&A Section

❓ Can I use red onions or shallots?

Yes! Red onions give a slightly sweeter taste and beautiful color. Shallots work well too, especially as a crunchy topping for steaks or gourmet dishes.

❓ What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No problem! Mix:

  • 1/2 cup milk + 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice.
    Let sit for 5 minutes to curdle—it works the same as buttermilk.

❓ Are these like onion rings or French’s fried onions?

They’re more like French’s crispy onions (the kind used on casseroles), not thick battered onion rings. But you can slice them thicker if you want more bite.

❓ Can I make them gluten-free or low-carb?

Yes!

  • Low-carb: Use almond flour + a bit of parmesan cheese instead of flour and cornstarch.

  • Gluten-free: Use a GF flour blend or rice flour. Cornstarch or potato starch helps keep them crispy.

❓ Why aren’t my onions crispy?

Common reasons:

  • Didn’t preheat air fryer

  • Onions were too wet (pat dry before coating)

  • Not enough oil spray

  • Overcrowded basket—cook in small batches

  • Not enough time to cool after frying

❓ How do I store leftovers?

Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container:

  • Room temp: 1 day (if very dry)

  • Fridge: 3–4 days
    Reheat in air fryer at 325°F for 3–4 minutes to bring back the crisp.

❓ Can I freeze them?

You can, but they may lose crispiness. Best method:

  • Freeze in a single layer, then store in a freezer bag.

  • Re-crisp in air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.

❓ Macros (Approx. per 1/4 cup serving, traditional version)

  • Calories: ~90

  • Fat: ~3g

  • Carbs: ~12g

  • Protein: ~1g
    (Low-carb version has ~3–4g net carbs depending on coating)

❓ Best ways to use Air Fried Crispy Onions?

  • On top of green bean casserole or other veggie bakes

  • In burgers, wraps, or sandwiches

  • As a crunchy salad topping

  • On smashed potatoes, mac & cheese, or tacos

  • As a snack (yes, they’re that good!).

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