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Air Fryer Crispy Onions Made Easy with Instant Pot Recipes

Let me tell you—these crispy onions have rescued more meals in my kitchen than I can count. We’re talkin’ golden, crunchy bites of joy that take your plain rice, soups, burgers, or yes, even a lazy lunch salad, from blah to BAM! And guess what? No deep fryer. No oil-splattered mess. Just your trusty Instant Pot Air Fryer and a few pantry staples. We make these when we want something a little extra but don’t want to babysit a stovetop or end up scrubbing grease off the walls. You’ll get those rich, sweet caramelized onion flavors wrapped in a crunchy coating. They’re kinda like if onion rings and potato chips had a baby. Perfect for when you’re craving something salty and crispy with minimal effort. Whether you're into recipes with onions, dreaming of stuffed onions recipes, or looking for that punch in your steak and onions recipe—these crispy bits just work. They even double as the star of your baked onions recipe or your next pickle onions recipe experiment. Total keeper.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked onions recipe, Instant Pot Air Fryer Recipes, instant pot recipes, pickle onions recipe, recipes with onions, steak and onions recipe, stuffed onions recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Camila

Ingredients

  • 2 large yellow onions
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Peel and thinly slice the onions. Try to keep the rings mostly intact.
  2. Soak the onion slices in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. Let them get comfy.
  3. Mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
  4. Remove onions from buttermilk, shake off the excess, and toss them in the breadcrumb mix until coated.
  5. Preheat your Instant Pot Air Fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Place the coated onion rings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd.
  7. Spray lightly with olive oil. This is what makes them golden and crisp.
  8. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re deeply golden and crispy.
  9. Repeat in batches if needed. Serve warm, snack shamelessly.