Name: Air Fryer Crispy Onions | Low Fat Fried Onions to Use In Many Dishes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 medium yellow or sweet onions, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp paprika or garlic powder (optional); Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray

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Air Fryer Crispy Onions are the perfect topping for casseroles, salads, burgers, and more—without the excess oil of deep frying. These golden, crunchy onions add bold flavor and texture to any dish, and thanks to the air fryer, they’re light, crisp, and so easy to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it transforms simple onions into a crispy, flavorful topping I can use on just about anything. It’s fast, uses way less oil than traditional fried onions, and still gives me that irresistible crunch. I can make a big batch and keep them on hand to level up all kinds of meals.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Yellow or sweet onions, thinly sliced
All-purpose flour
Cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness)
Salt
Paprika or garlic powder (optional)
Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray

directions

I slice the onions thinly and separate them into rings.
In a bowl, I toss the onion slices with flour, cornstarch (if using), salt, and any seasoning I like.
I lightly spray the coated onions with oil and toss to coat evenly.
I preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C).
I place the onions in the air fryer basket in a loose, even layer—working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
I air fry for 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping halfway through, until the onions are golden and crispy.
I let them cool on a wire rack so they firm up even more as they sit.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 1½ to 2 cups of crispy onions, depending on the size of the onions used. It takes 10 minutes to prep and 10–15 minutes to cook, so I have a fresh batch ready in under 30 minutes.

Variations

Sometimes I use red onions for a slightly sweeter and deeper flavor. I’ve added cayenne for spice, or swapped flour for almond flour to make it gluten-free. For an herby twist, I mix in dried thyme or rosemary with the flour.

storage/reheating

I store cooled crispy onions in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To crisp them up again, I toss them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes. They can also be frozen and reheated the same way straight from the freezer.

FAQs

Can I use a mandoline to slice the onions?

Yes, I often use a mandoline for thin, even slices—it helps them cook more evenly and crisp up better.

Why are my onions not crispy?

They might be too thick, too crowded, or undercooked. I slice thin, cook in batches, and let them cool on a rack to stay crisp.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Yes, I use gluten-free flour or a mix of almond flour and cornstarch with good results.

Can I use these on green bean casserole?

Absolutely. I’ve used them in place of store-bought fried onions and they work perfectly—crunchy, flavorful, and way fresher.

Can I season them differently?

Definitely. I change it up with onion powder, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, or Italian herbs depending on what I’m serving them with.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Crispy Onions are a quick, healthier alternative to deep-fried onions, and they bring unbeatable crunch and flavor to every dish. Whether I’m topping a casserole, salad, burger, or sandwich, they add that perfect final touch. Once I see how easy they are to make, I never go back to the store-bought kind.