Air Fried Pearl Onions (Printable)
Crispy, golden pearl onions made in the air fryer—tender inside, crunchy outside, ready in minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb pearl onions, peeled
→ 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)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss the peeled pearl onions with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange the seasoned onions in a single even layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
04 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the onions are golden brown and fork-tender.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy hot as a snack, appetizer, or side alongside your favorite main course.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Pearl onions go from fridge to golden and crispy in under fifteen minutes, which is faster than deciding what to watch on TV.
- They are naturally vegan, gluten free, and so simple that you barely need a measuring spoon, let alone culinary school.
02 -
- Crowding the basket is the fastest way to end up with soft, sad onions instead of the crispy gems you want, so cook in batches if needed.
- The cornmeal trick, just one tablespoon tossed on before frying, creates an extra crunchy crust that will make you question why you ever roasted vegetables any other way.
03 -
- Shake the basket firmly at the halfway mark so the onions that were touching the bottom get flipped and browned evenly on all sides.
- Let the air fryer run an extra minute if you like them deeply caramelized because the best flavor hides just past golden.