Ingredients:
1 large onion (yellow, white, or red), thinly sliced
1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Directions:
Preparing the Onions:
Slice Onions: Thinly slice the onion into rings or strips, depending on your preference. Aim for slices about 1/8 inch thick for the perfect crisp.
Soak in Buttermilk: Place the onion slices in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Let the onions soak for 15-20 minutes. This step helps tenderize the onions and makes them extra crispy when air fried.
Preparing the Coating:
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Coating and Cooking:
Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Coat Onions:
Drain the soaked onions from the buttermilk.
Toss them in the flour mixture, making sure each onion piece is evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
Spray with Oil: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated onions in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in batches).
Air Fry:
Air fry the onions at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Lightly spray the onions with cooking oil about halfway through to enhance crispiness.
Check for Doneness: Continue cooking until the onions are golden brown and crispy. If you prefer them extra crispy, add an additional 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
Serving
Serve Warm: Serve the crispy onions immediately while they’re still hot. They can be enjoyed as a topping for burgers, salads, casseroles, or as a crunchy snack on their own.
Tips for Success:
Uniform Slicing: For even cooking, try to slice the onions as uniformly as possible.
Single Layer: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook the onions in multiple batches.
Custom Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasoning mix to your liking—add cayenne for heat or grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
