Brown Air Fryer Crispy Fried Onions
These Brown Air Fryer Crispy Fried Onions are perfectly golden, crunchy, and packed with savory flavor—all with far less oil than deep frying. They’re delicious as a topping for burgers, casseroles, salads, soups, steaks, mashed potatoes, or enjoyed as a crispy snack.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 12–15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 large brown onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
Instructions
Slice the Onions
Peel the onions and slice them into thin, even rings. Separate the rings and pat them dry with paper towels.
Prepare the Coating
In a large bowl, combine:
Flour
Cornstarch
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Salt
Black pepper
Coat the Onions
Drizzle the onion rings with olive oil and toss until lightly coated.
Add the onions to the flour mixture and toss until every slice is evenly coated.
Shake off any excess coating.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Air Fry
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Arrange the coated onions in a single layer without overcrowding.
Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
Air fry for 6–7 minutes, shake the basket, then cook for another 6–8 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy.
Cook in batches if needed.
Cool
Transfer the onions to a wire rack and allow them to cool for 5 minutes. They will become even crispier as they cool.
Serve immediately.
Tips
Slice onions as evenly as possible for consistent cooking.
Don’t overcrowd the basket—air circulation is key to crispiness.
Shake the basket halfway through cooking.
Add a little grated Parmesan after cooking for extra flavor.
For extra crunch, lightly spray the onions again halfway through cooking.
Serving Ideas
Burgers
Hot dogs
Green bean casserole
Mashed potatoes
Mac and cheese
Steak
BBQ sandwiches
Salads
Creamy soups
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
Calories: 170
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 340mg
These Air Fryer Crispy Fried Onions deliver all the satisfying crunch of traditional fried onions with much less oil, making them a flavorful and lighter addition to countless meals.