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Air Fryer Crispy Onion Petals with Spicy Mayo

Close-up of Air Fryer Crispy Onion Petals, resembling a blooming flower, served with a side of creamy spicy mayo.
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Make restaurant-style crispy onion petals in your air fryer. This recipe provides a crunchy coating and includes instructions for a simple, spicy mayonnaise dipping sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)
  • For Spicy Mayo: 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the onion: Peel the onion. Place the root end down. Make four deep vertical cuts from the top toward the root, stopping about 1/2 inch from the root base. Make four more cuts halfway between the first four cuts, creating 8 sections. Make another set of cuts halfway between those, resulting in 16 sections. Do not cut all the way through the root. Gently spread the onion open so the petals separate slightly. Rinse the onion under cold water to help the layers separate further. Pat the onion completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Set up the breading station: In one shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a second dish, whisk together the eggs and milk. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Dredge the onion: Dip the entire onion into the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Finally, press the onion firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
  4. Air fry the onion: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated onion in the basket, ensuring it is not overcrowded. Spray the top surface of the onion generously with cooking spray.
  5. Cook for 12 to 18 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy. Flip the onion halfway through cooking (around the 8-minute mark) and spray the other side with cooking spray.
  6. Prepare the spicy mayo: While the onion cooks, mix the mayonnaise, sriracha, and lemon juice in a small bowl until combined.
  7. Serve the crispy onion petals immediately with the spicy mayo for dipping.

Notes

  • Drying the onion thoroughly after rinsing is key for the breading to stick properly.
  • Use panko breadcrumbs for the best crispiness in the air fryer.
  • If the petals start to brown too quickly, reduce the air fryer temperature to 360°F (180°C) for the remainder of the cooking time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://eatableempress.com/air-fryer-crispy-onion-petals-with-spicy-mayo/