An Outback Cajun Bloomin’ Onion is about my favorite appetizer ever! But it’s not always worth the expense and the time spent at a busy restaurant. Instead, make your own bloomin’ onion from home with this delicious, and easy, air fryer bloomin’ onion recipe!
Cajun Bloomin’ Onion in an Air Fryer
This recipe is just 5 easy steps – you’ll make two mixture bowls, cut your onion, dip and spread the seasonings, and then pop it into your air fryer! Here’s how to make this Cajun Bloomin’ Onion!
In a bowl mix Panko, flour, with Cajun seasoning, cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Peel onion, cut off the top. Place cut side of the onion down onto a cutting board. Starting 1⁄2 inch from the root, cut downward, all the way to the cutting board.
Repeat to make 4 evenly spaced cuts around the onion. Continue slicing through each section until you have made 8 cuts total. Open onion so “petals” are exposed.
In a large bowl add 1 cup flour. Dip the onion in the large bowl of flour. Make sure to give the onion an even dusting.
Add the egg and buttermilk with the panko, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper mixture. Stir to combine. Dip the onion into the egg and seasoning mixture. Make sure to get the mixture in between all “petals.”
Turn onion upside down to remove any of the excess mixture. Now ladle the mixture into every crevice of the onion.
Place the blooming onion into the fry basket of the air fryer. Place the basket in the air fryer. Press the “M” button to scroll to the Chicken Icon. Press the power button adjusting cooking time to 15 minutes at 360 degrees.
When a timer goes off, check for the crispness of the onion. Cook 5-10 more minutes to desired crispness. When done, remove carefully.
Air Fryer Cajun Bloomin’ Onion Recipe
Plus, Green Onion Ranch Dip
- 1 large Vadalia onion
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs (room temp)
- ¾ cup panko
- 1 cup flour
- 3 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sea sSalt
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
- 8 oz container sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 package ranch dressing mix
- 18 green onions (chopped)
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
- In a bowl mix Panko, flour, with Cajun seasoning, cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Peel onion, cut off the top. Place cut side of the onion down onto a cutting board. Starting 1⁄2 inch from the root, cut downward, all the way to the cutting board. Repeat to make 4 evenly spaced cuts around the onion. Continue slicing through each section until you have made 8 cuts total. Open onion so “petals” are exposed.
- In a large bowl add 1 cup flour. Dip the onion in the large bowl of flour. Make sure to give the onion an even dusting.
- Add the egg and buttermilk with the panko, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper mixture. Stir to combine. Dip the onion into the egg and seasoning mixture. Make sure to get the mixture in between all “petals.” Turn onion upside down to remove any of the excess mixture. Now ladle the mixture into every crevice of the onion.
- Place the blooming onion into the fry basket of the air fryer. Place the basket in the air fryer. Press the "M" button to scroll to the Chicken Icon. Press the power button adjusting cooking time to 15 minutes at 360 degrees. When a timer goes off, check for the crispness of the onion. Cook 5-10 more minutes to desired crispness. When done, remove carefully.
- Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Sprinkle in the ranch dressing mix, green onions, and optional jalapeno. Stir until well combined.
- Refrigerate overnight before serving.
Head over to this amazing recipe for copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls!
What’s your favorite appetizer?
Suzette says
Be sure to mix the 1 cup of flour into the panko mixture. I also think this calls for more than 1/4 cup of buttermilk. We had to add much more to get our batter to look like the picture.
Jeff B says
I completely agree! The way they wrote this recipe is terrible. No need to put the Panko in with the milk and egg mixture… it just got clumpy and wouldn’t go into the onion. But it’s cooking now and I’m attempting, we’ll see how it turns out.
Jenn says
So I tried this recipe and my Panko mixture got clumpy. What did I do wrong?
Marcie W. says
Bloomin onions are the absolute best and I love the thought of adding a touch of heat to the original recipe. That delicious dip sounds like the perfect accompaniment too!
Lois Christensen says
I’ve never even had a regular deep fried bloomin onion! This looks amazing. Definitely on my wish list is an air fryer and will save this recipe to try then.
Scott says
I don’t know if it would fit in our fryer, but I’m willing to give it a shot! We love bloomin’ onions!
Scarlet says
I have an air fryer and I love bloomin onions so I have to try this recipe. I’m so excited. Thanks!
Crystal says
Oh my gosh, that looks absolutely amazing. That’s my FAVE appetizer when we go to Outback. I haven’t had one in years though since I learned of the calorie count LOL!
Wally says
Our Air Fryer does not have an M button, as I am sure most do not. You should post universal recipes or post ones for specific units. What is an M button anyway?