Air Fryer Onions

Air Fryer Onions are an easy way to make tender, slightly crisp and caramelized onions! If you want a quick side dish with less cooking time than traditional methods, this easy air fryer recipe is perfect.

What I love about this simple onion recipe is that you only need sliced onions and a few other basic ingredients. They're one of my favorite sides to pair with steak, chicken, and pork chops. Not only do they use less oil than frying, but you don't have to coat the onions in flour, either.

The onions get tender and browned with slightly crisp edges from the hot air of the air fryer. It's an easy way to get plenty of flavor without standing over a skillet.

These taste amazing alongside some Air Fryer Brisket.

Speaking of simple air fryer recipes, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans for another easy side dish option.

You could also add onions to our Air Fryer Paneer kabobs.

Ingredients

• Onion - Sweet Vidalia, red, yellow, or white onions will all work. I normally use a large yellow onion.
• Oil - I typically use olive oil, but avocado oil or another cooking oil will work too.
• Salt & black pepper - These simple spices are all you need, but you can add other seasonings if you like.

How to Make Air Fryer Onions

Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.

Step Two: Slice the large onion into thick slices. Toss with the oil and season with salt and pepper.

Step Three: Add the onions to the air fryer basket, spreading them out as close to a single layer as possible. Cook for 10-12 minutes, tossing or stirring partway through, until tender and golden brown.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to warm them through and bring back some of the crisp edges.

Variations

• Use different types of onions - Sweet onions are a great choice, but yellow onions, white, and red onions all work well. Each will give you a slightly different flavor.
• Add seasonings - Salt and pepper are all you need, but garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or your favorite seasoning blend can add even more flavor.
• Change the shape - Cut the onions into thick slices, wedges, or petals. Keep in mind that thinner or smaller pieces will cook faster.
• Add butter - For a richer flavor that's closer to traditional sautéed onions, toss the hot onions with a tablespoon of butter before serving.
• Use them in other recipes - These onions are great on burgers, steak, and sandwiches, but you can also stir them into soups, casseroles, pasta, or other dishes. They're an easy staple to keep in the fridge when you want to add extra flavor to a meal.

Common Questions

Do I need to use flour?

No. There's no breading or flour needed for this recipe. A small amount of oil helps the onions brown and develop slightly crisp edges in the air fryer.

How do I get the onions browned and slightly crispy?

Make sure you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leaving room for the hot air to circulate helps the onions brown rather than steam. Toss them partway through cooking so they cook more evenly.

Why are my onions not crispy?

These onions won't be crunchy like onion rings. They should be tender and caramelized with browned, slightly crisp edges. If they're still too soft or pale for your liking, air fry them for another minute or two.

How do I serve air fryer onions?

You can eat them as a side dish along with your protein of choice or use them as a topping. I love adding them to burgers, salads, hot dogs, pork chops, or this Denver Steak Recipe. They're also great added to sandwiches, wraps, and grain bowls.

Recipe

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Originally Published April 3, 2023. Revised and Republished August 31, 2026.