Air Fryer Onions are the perfect way to make caramelized onions without a lot of oil! Forget about deep frying and let the hot air create this easy air fryer recipe. With just 12 minutes of cooking time, you’ll have thin slices of perfectly cooked onions.
Making air-fried onions is such a simple cooking process. The main reason that I cook raw onions this way is because it’s a quick way to cook onions to add to some of my favorite meals. Once you make a batch of this air fryer onions recipe, you can add the sliced onions to pasta dishes and hot dogs or as a perfect topping to burgers and even salads as well.
Cooking white onions or red onions this way is a great way to get carmelized onions without a ton of mess. The simple ingredients cook right in the air fryer basket, meaning that you have no skillets or pans to clean up!
Be sure to try this Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms recipe as well as these Keto Onion Rings for more fun recipes where onions are the star of the show.
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Ingredients
- Onion – You can use yellow onions, red onions, sweet onions, or any type that you want. I like using Vidalia onions.
- Olive oil – I add just a teaspoon of oil to help cook the onions.
- Salt – For flavor.
- Black Pepper – For flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Onions
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
Step One: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or use a silicone liner for ease. Toss the sliced onions in oil and add the seasoning.
Step Two: Put the onions into the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes. Mix after 5 minutes, and cook until golden brown and tender.
Top Tip💡
Cut the onion rings the same thickness so they cook evenly.
Substitutions
- Avocado oil or coconut oil – You can use this in place of the olive oil to make this simple air fryer onion recipe.
Variations
- Spicy – Add cayenne pepper as a seasoning to this easy side dish to kick up the heat.
- Flavor – The best method to change the flavor of these caramelized onions is to add other seasonings with salt and pepper. Good options could be garlic powder, onion powder, or even a combination of those two and more.
See these Air Fryer Roast Vegetables for another one of our favorite air fryer recipes.
Equipment
Air frying is the best way to make crispy onions fast, so be sure to have an air fryer ready and handy. Also, a large bowl for storing the sliced onions until you add them to the air fryer is a good idea.
Storage
Leftover air fryer onions can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge. For the best results, eat within 2-3 days.
While you can freeze raw onions easily, I don’t recommend freezing cooked onions as they’ll change in texture and become “slimy” once thawed. Air fry onions are best eaten fresh once cooked.
Common Questions
Absolutely. You just need to be sure that you slice a large onion into rings, instead of slices and then cover with an egg mixture and seasoned breading. For a low carb version you can use whey protein powder or crushed pork rinds. Add them to a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook until golden brown.
Yes, you can. It’s an easy recipe and the key is to cut the onions into super thin strands – and then not overcook. Super thin onions will cook really fast, so you have to be sure that you keep an eye on them.
The easiest way to slice a whole onion into thin slices is to use a mandolin slicer. This will take less time than cutting them by hand, and also keep them as uniform slices to cook evenly in the air fryer.
Once you cook the onions, you can use them in a lot of different dishes. They add great flavor to baked potatoes, casseroles, and even soups. I’ll add them to as many dishes as possible to take the flavor to the next level.
This is why I’ll make a large patch of these onions to use throughout the week and in various meals as a flavor ingredient.
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Air Fryer Onions
This Air Fryer Onions Recipe is the perfect way to make fried onions in under 15 minutes. Easy to make and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 large onion sliced into ½ inch rings
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 400.
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Spray the basket with cooking spray or line with a silicone liner.
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Toss the onion slices in the oil and season with salt and pepper.
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Transfer to the air fryer basket.
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Cook for 10-12 minutes, mixing after 5 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.
Nutrition
Calories: 24.2Carbohydrates: 3.6gProtein: 0.4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.7gSodium: 292.2mgPotassium: 56.5mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 1.6gVitamin A: 1.4IUVitamin C: 2.8mgCalcium: 9.4mgIron: 0.1mg