These Air-Fried Sweet Chili Garlic Petals are a crispy, spicy, and addictive snack or appetizer—like a cross between blooming onions and Asian-style wings! Perfect for game day or a fun side dish.
Air-Fried Sweet Chili Garlic Petals
(Crispy, sticky, and packed with flavor!)
Ingredients:
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1 large sweet onion (or yellow onion)
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1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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Cooking spray (or oil spray)
For the Sweet Chili Garlic Glaze:
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¼ cup sweet chili sauce
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2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice)
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1 tbsp lime juice
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1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
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Sesame seeds & green onions (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prep the Onion Petals:
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Cut off the top (stem end) of the onion, peel it, and leave the root intact.
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Slice vertically into 8-12 wedges (like a blooming onion), but don’t cut all the way through—leave about ½ inch at the base.
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Gently separate the petals with your fingers.
2. Soak & Coat:
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Dip the onion in buttermilk, making sure it gets between the petals.
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In a bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Sprinkle the flour mix all over the onion, coating evenly.
3. Air Fry:
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Place the onion petal-side up in the air fryer basket.
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Lightly spray with oil (for extra crispiness).
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Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 mins, until golden and crispy.
4. Make the Glaze:
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While the onion cooks, mix sweet chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, garlic, sriracha, lime juice, and sesame oil in a small saucepan.
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Heat on low for 2-3 mins until slightly thickened.
5. Glaze & Serve:
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Drizzle the hot glaze over the crispy onion petals.
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Garnish with sesame seeds & green onions.
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Serve immediately with extra sauce for dipping!
Why You’ll Love This:
🔥 Crispy without deep-frying (thanks, air fryer!)
🌶️ Sweet, spicy, garlicky, sticky perfection
🍽️ Great as a snack, appetizer, or side dish
Pro Tip: For extra crispiness, double-coat the onion—dip in buttermilk, then flour, then buttermilk again, and flour once more before air frying.
Want it extra saucy? Toss the fried petals in the glaze instead of drizzling!
Would you like a cheesy or spicy mayo dip to go with it? Let me know! 😋