Home » Side Dishes » Air Fryer Onions

Air Fryer Onions

Cook Time13 minutes
Total Time18 minutes
Cooking Temperature360 degrees Fahrenheit

The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!

For a quick and easy way to cook onions, air fryer onions are where it’s at!

These onions are so easy to make, don’t take too long to cook, and go with lots of different dishes so the flavor combos are endless!

air fried onions sitting in black air fryer basket on counter top.
Onions in the air fryer – crispy, soft, perfect!

Ingredients

To make onions in the air fryer, you’ll need:

  • Medium-sized onions – We use yellow onions, but white, sweet or red onions also work.
  • Avocado oil – Can also use canola oil or similar; adds flavor and keeps the onions from sticking to the air fryer.
  • Salt – To add flavor.
  • Black Pepper (optional) – Add it if you like pepper, skip if you don’t.

Recipe Tips

If you want to air fry onions, here are a few tips and things to keep in mind:

  • Make sure that the onion slices are roughly the same thickness. This will help the onions cook evenly. You don’t want some onions to be very crispy while other onion pieces are just getting soft.
  • Keep in mind that the onions will shrink quite a bit when being cooked.
  • We use a simple seasoning blend and let the onion flavor speak for itself. You can add whatever spices you like, however.
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Step-by-Step Instructions

Stay in this section if you want to follow along with photos just how we made our onions.

The recipe card at the bottom of this post will also tell you how long to cook onions in an air fryer and at what temperature.

slices of white onions on wooden cutting board with whole onion behind on counter.
Cut the onions into rings.

First, peel the onions and cut them into thin, evenly sliced rings.

Then preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

red tipped tongs mixing raw onion slices in spices in white mixing bowl on counter.
Make sure the onions are evenly coated in oil and spices.

While you wait for the air fryer to preheat, add the raw onion rings to a bowl. Also add the avocado oil, salt, and pepper (optional).

Toss or mix everything with tongs until evenly coated.

raw onion rings sitting in black air fryer basket on counter top.
Add the onions to the preheated air fryer.

When the air fryer is preheated, add the onions. Give the air fryer basket a shake so that they spread out evenly.

crispy onions sitting in black air fryer tray on counter.
Our onions – ready to be enjoyed!

Air fry the onions at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes total (depends on personal preference).

Shake the air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes to help with even cooking.

The exact cooking time can vary based on the thickness of the onion rings, the air fryer you are using, and your personal preference.

We like them slightly caramelized, so we leave them in for closer to 15 minutes.

When done, remove the onions from the air fryer and use them as a side dish or a topping of your choice!

Storage Tips

If you have leftover air fryer caramelized onions after cooking, you can keep them in a sealed container in the fridge. They’ll last for up to 4 days.

However, keep in mind that they’ll sweat quite a bit because they have lots of moisture in them still.

They might look like a blob of onions when you take them out to reheat them – this is normal. They should still heat nicely and be usable for your next dish!

What to Serve Air Fried Onions With

These tasty onions can be served as a side dish or as a simple topping.

We enjoy them on a steak with a side of mashed potatoes – or as one of the toppings for an Italian sausage on a bun or a portobello burger!

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed these air fryer onions, here are some other great vegetable dishes that can be a side dish or a delicious topping!

crispy onions sitting in black air fryer tray on counter.

Air Fryer Onions

Air Fryer Onions are flavorful and delicious. These crispy yet soft onions are easy to make as the perfect side dish or topping!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 medium onions, (we used yellow onions)
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, optional

Instructions

  • Peel the onions, then cut them into thin, evenly sliced rings.
    2 medium onions
  • Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In the meantime, add the raw onion rings into a bowl. Also add the avocado oil, salt, and pepper (optional) into the bowl. Toss or mix everything with tongs until evenly coated.
    2 teaspoons avocado oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • When the air fryer is preheated, add the onions. Give the air fryer basket a shake so that they spread out evenly.
  • Air fry the onions at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes total (depends on personal preference). Shake the air fryer basket every 3-4 minutes to help with even cooking. The exact cooking time can vary based on the thickness of the onion rings, the air fryer you are using, and your personal preference. We like them slightly caramelized, so we leave them in for closer to 15 minutes.
  • When done, remove the onions from the air fryer and use as a side dish or a topping for steak or sausage on a bun!

Notes

  • It’s important to cut the rings evenly – you don’t want part of the onion to be burned already while other pieces are just getting soft.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.1mg

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
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This recipe was contributed by
Lisa is the founder and main creator for Simply Air Fryer. As the author of two successful food blogs, she's usually found measuring ingredients, trying out new combinations, or hiding behind the camera snapping photos of food. She bought her first air fryer over 3 years ago and has since used it over 500 times. With the help of her trusty sidekick (husband), she's created and tested lots of recipes for Simply Air Fryer.

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