Crispy Air Fryer French Fried Onions: Your Guide to Easy Homemade & Gluten-Free Deliciousness

Looking for that perfect crunchy topping to elevate your favorite dishes? Whether you’re enhancing a juicy grilled steak, adding a flavorful layer to your classic green bean casserole, or simply craving a savory snack, these Air Fryer French Fried Onions are an absolute game-changer. This recipe guides you through creating deliciously crispy onions in your air fryer, offering a healthier, low-oil alternative to store-bought versions. They are incredibly easy to make, require minimal oil, and can be customized to be entirely gluten-free, making them a versatile addition to any meal.

This method for crafting perfect homemade French fried onions is adapted from our popular Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe, with the key difference being the delicate, thin slicing of the onions. This slight adjustment transforms them into those irresistible, shatteringly crisp strands we all love, perfect for garnishing or enjoying straight from the basket.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with this Air Fryer French Fried Onions Recipe:

No Deep Frying Mess: Say goodbye to excessive oil, splattering, and the lingering smell of fried food. The air fryer delivers incredible crunch with just a fraction of the oil, making clean-up a breeze and your kitchen happier.
Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You likely already have most of what you need in your pantry! This recipe uses everyday staples, making it convenient to whip up a batch whenever a craving strikes.
Unbeatably Crispy & Flavorful: Experience a delightful crunch and savory onion flavor that far surpasses any store-bought alternative. These golden, crunchy onion strands are perfect as a topping for casseroles, salads, soups, burgers, hot dogs, and of course, those sizzling steaks!
Easily Adaptable for Gluten-Free Diets: With a simple swap of gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, you can enjoy these delicious crispy onions without compromising on taste or texture, catering to dietary needs effortlessly.
Quick to Prepare & Store: This recipe is straightforward to follow, and the resulting French fried onions can be stored for several days, ready to add a gourmet touch to your meals throughout the week.

Essential Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Onions:

Gather these basic ingredients to create your own batch of homemade air fryer French fried onions:

White Onion: A large white onion provides the best flavor and texture for this recipe. Its natural sweetness mellows beautifully when air-fried.
Buttermilk: Key for tenderizing the onion and reducing its pungency, while also helping the coating adhere.
All-Purpose Flour: Use either standard all-purpose flour or a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (look for 1:1 or measure-for-measure varieties with xanthan gum) for the initial coating.
Eggs: Beaten eggs act as the binder, ensuring the breadcrumbs stick perfectly to each onion slice.
Breadcrumbs: Choose between regular breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs, whether regular or gluten-free, are excellent for extra crispiness.
Salt: To taste, for seasoning both the breadcrumbs and the finished product.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Crispy Air Fryer French Fried Onions:

Follow these simple steps for perfectly crispy air-fried onions. A convenient printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this post for your kitchen convenience.

Prepare the Onions: Begin by thinly slicing your large white onion. Aim for slices that are as thin and uniform as possible. A sharp knife can work, but a mandolin slicer is highly recommended for achieving consistent, paper-thin results, which are crucial for ultimate crispiness.
Buttermilk Soak: Place all the thinly sliced onion rings into a shallow bowl or dish. Pour the buttermilk over them, ensuring all slices are submerged or at least well-coated.
Allow to Soak: Let the onions soak in the buttermilk for 1 to 2 hours. This crucial step significantly reduces the onion’s sharp, tangy flavor and helps to tenderize them, allowing the flour and breadcrumb coating to adhere better.
Set Up Breading Stations: While the onions are soaking, prepare three separate shallow bowls: one for the flour (regular or gluten-free), one for the beaten eggs, and one for the breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free).
Season Breadcrumbs: Add a generous dash of salt to your breadcrumbs and mix well. You can also incorporate other desired seasonings at this stage, such as garlic powder or black pepper.
Flour Coat: Take a small batch of soaked onion slices, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Dip them into the flour, tossing to coat evenly, then gently shake off any excess flour.
Egg Dip: Next, dip the floured onions into the beaten eggs, ensuring a full coating. Allow any excess egg to drip away before moving to the next step. Depending on the size of your onion, you might need to beat an additional egg.
Breadcrumb Coating: Finally, coat the egg-dipped onions thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Press gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the coated onion pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; this is vital for crispiness. Work in batches if necessary.
Initial Seasoning (Optional): At this point, you can add a little more salt to the onions if desired, or wait until they are fully cooked.
Air Fry: Cook the French fried onions in the air fryer at 390°F (199°C) for approximately 4-5 minutes. Then, carefully flip them or shake the basket to ensure even cooking, and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Achieve Golden Brown: For an extra golden hue and crispier texture, lightly spray the onions with cooking spray (grapeseed oil spray works exceptionally well) before the second half of the cooking time.
Serve Immediately: Once done, remove from the air fryer and serve hot.

Mastering the Art of Thinly Slicing Onions:

Achieving consistently thin onion slices is paramount for perfectly crispy French fried onions. If the slices are too thick, they won’t crisp up properly and might remain soft in the center. Here are a couple of effective methods:

Using a Sharp Knife: With a very sharp chef’s knife, carefully slice the onion as thinly as you can. For best results, cut the onion in half lengthwise, place it cut-side down, and make uniform slices from root to tip.
The Mandolin Method: For unparalleled consistency and thinness, a mandolin slicer is your best friend. Set it to its thinnest setting and carefully guide the onion halves over the blade. Always use a safety guard to protect your fingers.

Regardless of the method you choose, the goal is to create slices that are similar in thickness to the store-bought French fried onions – thin enough to get crispy all the way through.

Crafting Gluten-Free Air Fryer French Fried Onions:

Making these delicious crispy onions gluten-free is incredibly simple, requiring just two key substitutions:

Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Opt for a 1:1 (or measure-for-measure) gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Popular and reliable brands include Better Batter, Cup4Cup, or King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour. These blends are specifically formulated to mimic the properties of regular wheat flour and often contain xanthan gum, which is essential for achieving a similar texture and binding capability without gluten. Always ensure the blend you choose includes xanthan gum for the best results, as it helps with elasticity and preventing the coating from being too crumbly.
Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs: The quality of gluten-free breadcrumbs can vary widely. For the crispiest French fried onions, look for finely chopped gluten-free breadcrumbs. Gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs are an excellent choice as they provide an extra light and airy crunch. Brands like Schar Breadcrumbs are often recommended for their fine texture and are readily available at many grocery stores, including Walmart. If your gluten-free breadcrumbs seem too coarse, a quick pulse in a food processor can help achieve a finer consistency.

The Importance of Soaking Onions in Buttermilk:

Don’t skip the buttermilk soak! This step is a secret weapon for achieving truly delicious French fried onions. Here’s why:

Reduces Pungency: Buttermilk’s mild acidity works to neutralize some of the sulfur compounds in the onion, which are responsible for its sharp, potent, and sometimes overwhelming flavor. The soak mellows the onion, making it less tangy and more palatable, especially when cooked.
Tenderizes Onions: The buttermilk helps to slightly soften the onion slices, ensuring they cook more evenly and become tender inside while maintaining a crispy exterior.
Enhances Coating Adhesion: The slightly tacky surface left by the buttermilk after draining provides an ideal base for the flour and subsequent breadcrumb coating to stick firmly. This ensures a robust, even crust that contributes to the irresistible crunch.

Expert Tips for Making Perfect Air Fryer French Fried Onions:

Follow these tips to ensure your homemade crispy onions turn out perfectly every time:

Avoid Overcrowding the Air Fryer: This is arguably the most critical tip for air frying. Overcrowding prevents air from circulating properly, leading to steamed, rather than crispy, onions. Always cook in small batches, ensuring a single layer in the basket.
Slice Consistently and Super Thin: As mentioned, thinness and uniformity are key. Irregularly thick slices will cook unevenly, with some burning while others remain soft. A mandolin is highly recommended for best results.
Use a Light Oil Spray: While air frying uses less oil than deep frying, a light spray of cooking oil (such as grapeseed oil spray or olive oil spray) before cooking, and especially after flipping, is essential. It helps achieve that desirable golden-brown color and authentic fried texture.
Ensure Full Egg Coating: For the breadcrumbs to adhere properly, each onion piece must be fully coated in egg. This creates the sticky surface needed for a perfect crust.
Adjust Salt to Your Preference: Taste and adjust the salt level after cooking. Some prefer a lighter touch, while others enjoy a more savory kick.
Experiment with Optional Seasonings: Don’t limit yourself to just salt! Enhance the flavor profile with black pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper for spicy onions, garlic salt for an aromatic boost, or even lemon pepper for a zesty twist.

Storing and Re-Crisping Leftover French Fried Onions:

If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them properly will help maintain their quality:

Storage: Once your French fried onions have completely cooled down to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable bag. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, though they are best enjoyed fresh.
Re-Crisping: To bring back their original crispiness, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover onions in the basket in a single layer, lightly spray them with cooking oil, and cook for 2-3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This quick refresh will make them taste almost as good as fresh!

If you enjoy these crispy onion treats, you’ll also love our recipe for Air Fryer Vidalia Onions. Be sure to add that to your list of new air fryer recipes to try!

These Air Fryer French Fried Onions offer everything you adore about the classic crunchy topping, but with significantly less oil, making them a lighter and fresher choice for topping all your favorite meals. Enjoy the delightful crispiness and robust flavor that only homemade air-fried onions can provide!

Air Fryer French Fried Onions

Air Fryer Fanatics

Make an easy, delicious Air Fryer French Fried Onions, can be made gluten-free too!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time

30
minutes

Cook Time

10
minutes

Total Time

40
minutes

Course
Air Fryer Snack Recipes

Cuisine
American

Servings

6
Servings

Calories

347
kcal

Ingredients

1
Large White Onion
1
Cup
Buttermilk
2
Cups
Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour or Regular Flour
2
Eggs Beaten
2
Cups
Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs or Regular Bread Crumbs
Salt to Taste

Instructions

Thinly slice the onion as thin as possible or use a mandolin to thinly slice.
Place the onions in a shallow bowl or dish and pour the buttermilk over them.
Let them sit and soak for 1-2 hours.
Prepare a bowl for the flour, a separate bowl for beaten eggs, and another bowl for the breadcrumbs.
Add a dash of salt to the breadcrumbs.
Dip the onions in the flour, dust off any excess.
Dip them in the eggs, let the excess drip off. Additional eggs may be needed depending on the size of the onion.
Coat with the breadcrumbs.
Place evenly in the Air Fryer.
At this point, you can add some salt to them or salt them after they are done.
Fry them in the Air Fryer on 390°F for about 4-5 minutes, then carefully flip or shake the basket and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
If you prefer, spray with some cooking spray to get them a little bit more brown in color, Grapeseed Oil Spray works well for this.
Serve.

Notes

Regarding breadcrumbs sticking – they will only stick where there is egg on the onion. It’s very important to fully coat the onion in the egg, then dip in the breadcrumbs.

These work perfect for us at 390 degrees for 10 minutes (5 minutes on each side) in a Ninja Foodi and traditional air fryer. That said, all air fryers heat differently so you may need to adjust 1-2 minutes either way to fit your air fryer.

Nutrition

Serving:
1
g

Calories:
347
kcal

Carbohydrates:
61
g

Protein:
12
g

Fat:
5
g

Saturated Fat:
2
g

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

Monounsaturated Fat:
1
g

Trans Fat:
0.01
g

Cholesterol:
59
mg

Sodium:
328
mg

Potassium:
216
mg

Fiber:
3
g

Sugar:
5
g

Vitamin A:
146
IU

Vitamin C:
1
mg

Calcium:
131
mg

Iron:
4
mg

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