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Air Fryer Crispy Onions

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

March 28, 2025

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5 from 2 votes

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AIR FRYER CRISPY ONIONS PINTEREST IMAGE.

Forget about long cooking times and babysitting a skillet of caramelized onions; make them in the air fryer instead! This Air Fryer Onions recipe will teach you how to make crispy golden onions in just 20 minutes. They’re a perfect topping on burgers, pizza, salad, and more!

Crispy air fryer onions in white bowl.

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This Air Fryer Onions recipe leaves you with crispy and golden sliced onions you can use practically anywhere. Best of all, it only takes 20 minutes! There’s no need to wait for the oven to preheat or babysit a skillet full of caramelizing onions because the air fryer takes care of it all for you.

Whether you’re making crispy onions, chicken wings, or roasted garlic, air frying is a practically hands-off cooking method that makes clean-up a breeze. It works its magic in this recipe to transform regular onion slices into crispy strips you can use on hamburgers, steak, chicken, salad, and so much more. You’ll never see onions the same after giving it a go! 

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients needed
  • How to slice onions
  • How to cook onions in the air fryer
  • How long to cook onions in the air fryer
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • How to use air fryer onions 
  • FAQs
  • Full Recipe
Whole onions in large bowl.

Ingredients needed

Not surprisingly, you only need two ingredients for this easy recipe: 

  • Onions – Any type of onion you love will do, such as yellow onions, sweet onions, white onions, red onions, or even shallots. Slice them into long, thin slices for even cooking.
  • Oil – Keep it simple with vegetable oil or canola oil.

How to slice onions

  • Slice both ends off of the onion. 
  • Chop the onion in half. 
  • Place the onion flat slice down and slice to about ¼” thickness, parallel with the cut ends. 
    Sliced onions on cutting board.

    How to cook onions in the air fryer

    Sliced onions in bowl.

    Step 1

    Toss onions with oil

    • Add the sliced onions to a large bowl and drizzle the oil over top. Toss to coat.
    Uncooked onions in air fryer basket.

    Step 2

    Add to air fryer basket

    • Transfer them to the air fryer basket, then air fry them for 20 minutes. Remember to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so.

    Step 3

    Turn up the temperature

    • Turn up the temperature for the last few minutes of cooking to help the onions become golden and crispy. Turn up the temperature for the last few minutes of cooking to help the onions become golden and crispy. 
    Crispy air fryer onions in small white bowl.

    Step 4

    Drain on paper towels

    • Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil, then use them with all of your favorite meals!

    How long to cook onions in the air fryer

    It depends on how crispy you like them. For crunchy, golden onions, they should air fry for about 20 to 23 minutes. For tender and soft onions, cook them for only 10 to 15 minutes.

    Here’s some pictures of what they’ll look like at different intervals:

    5 Minutes
    10 Minutes
    20 Minutes

    Tips

    • Try to slice the onions into thin, evenly-sized slices for even cooking.
    • Shaking the air fryer basket every 5 minutes will help the heat circulate evenly around each slice and prevent them from burning.
    • Air fryers function differently from brand to brand, which could mean your onions take less time or a little longer to cook. Regardless, watch them carefully as they cook to make sure they’re done to your liking!
    Crispy air fryer onions in white bowl.

    Variations

    • Season the onions – Sprinkle Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning after the onion slices are coated in oil to infuse more flavor. You can also keep it simple and use a mix of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Use a variety of onions – This recipe works with all kinds of onions so feel free to mix it up and use a blend!
    Close up of cooked onions in air fryer basket.

    How to use air fryer onions 

    You can use crispy onions as a garnish, topping, or side dish to all kinds of recipes! These ideas will help get you started: 

    • Top them on hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausages.
    • Crispy onions are fantastic with perogies and sour cream.
    • Use them as a topping on Cheeseburger Soup and Potato Cheese Soup!
    • They’re the perfect partner to a ribeye steak, just like compound butter.
    • Use the onions for a savory crunch on baked potatoes.
    • Add them on top of a pizza, a bowl of pasta, or a salad.
    • Enjoy them with the protein of your choice for dinner, like pork chops and roasted chicken.
    • Sprinkle the onions on top of savory crostini appetizers, like these Short Rib Crostinis.

    FAQs

    How long do onions take to cook in the air fryer?

    It depends on how crispy you like them. For crunchy, golden onions, they should air fry for about 20 to 23 minutes. For tender and soft onions, cook them for only 10 to 15 minutes.

    At what temperature do you air fry onions?

    The onions are cooked at 300ºF to start, then increased to 400ºF in the last 2 to 3 minutes. This way, the onions are able to tenderize and soften before becoming crispy near the end.

    Can you make this recipe without oil?

    Skipping the oil could lead to dried out and burnt onions, so I don’t recommend leaving it out.

    How do you store cooked onions?

    Store the air fryer onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’ll lose their crispy crunch after chilling, but you can get this back by reheating them for a few minutes in the air fryer.

    Crispy air fryer onions in small white bowl.

    More how-to guides

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    • Baked Salmon
    • Boiled Shrimp
    • Dried Orange Slices
    • Homemade Gnocchi
    • Instant Pot Chickpeas

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    Crispy air fryer onions in white bowl.

    Full Recipe

    Crispy Air Fryer Onions

    Forget about long cooking times and babysitting a skillet of caramelized onions; make them in the air fryer instead! This air fried onions recipe will teach you how to make crispy golden onions in just 20 minutes. They’re a perfect topping on burgers, pizza, salad, and more!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin
    Serves 4 people
    Created by Platings and Pairings
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 22 minutes mins
    Total Time: 27 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 3 medium onions (thinly sliced)
    • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (or canola oil)

    Instructions

    • Add the onion slices to a large bowl and toss with the oil.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees.
    • Add the onions and cook for 20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes or so.
    • Increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for 2-3 minutes longer, until golden and crispy.
    • Place the onions on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
    • Enjoy.

    Notes

    How to Store
    Store the air fryer onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’ll lose their crispy crunch after chilling, but you can get this back by reheating them for a few minutes in the air fryer.
    Tips
    • Try to slice the onions into thin, evenly-sized slices for even cooking.
    • Shaking the air fryer basket every 5 minutes will help the heat circulate evenly around each slice and prevent them from burning.
    • Air fryers function differently from brand to brand, which could mean your onions take less time or a little longer to cook. Regardless, watch them carefully as they cook to make sure they’re done to your liking!
    Variations
    • Season the onions – Sprinkle Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning after the onion slices are coated in oil to infuse more flavor. You can also keep it simple and use a mix of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Use a variety of onions – This recipe works with all kinds of onions so feel free to mix it up and use a blend!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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