Air Fried Pearl Onions (Printable Version)
Crispy, golden pearl onions air fried with olive oil and smoky spices in just 22 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb (450 g) pearl onions, peeled
→ Seasoning and Coating
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
06 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
# Method:
01 - Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss the peeled pearl onions with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until each onion is evenly coated.
03 - Place the seasoned onions in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded for even crisping.
04 - Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, until the onions develop a golden, crispy exterior and become tender inside.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately as a snack, appetizer, or alongside your favorite entrée.
# Expert Tricks:
01 -
- The charred blistered edges give way to a sweetness that surprises people who swear they hate onions.
- Ten minutes of hands off cooking means you can focus on the main dish while these handle themselves.
02 -
- Crowding the basket is the fastest way to end up with soggy onions instead of the crispy ones you want so cook in two batches if needed.
- The cornmeal trick for extra crunch was a happy accident from reaching for the wrong container and now I do it on purpose every time.
03 -
- Shake the basket firmly enough that you hear the onions tumbling because gentle shaking leaves some spots untouched.
- Let the onions rest for one minute after cooking before eating because the residual heat finishes caramelizing the centers perfectly.