I’m so happy to share the secret to my crispy and perfectly caramelized onions that I use to top everything from Biryani to veggie burgers, casseroles, soups, salads, and wraps. Using the Air Fryer makes crispy onions so concentrated in flavor and natural sweetness that they are addicting! With a fraction of the oil and in a fraction of the time, these air-fried onions are a staple in our house.
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Birista
Golden deep-fried onions, also known as Birista or Beresta, are used in many South Asian dishes like Biryani, pulao, curries, and soups. Birista is also crushed and added to marinades, or ground along with other aromatics and spices to make a smooth curry paste. I use these light, crispy, and less oily air-fried onions in place of the deep-fried ones to make the same amazing dishes and marinades. Blended with ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, the crispy onions add depth, sweetness, and a wonderful creaminess to homemade curry pastes.
More Dishes With Crispy Air-Fried Onions
Caramelized crispy onions are the perfect topping for burgers and sandwiches to take them to the next level. They’re also a delicious garnish for salads and soups! The Thanksgiving favorite, green-bean casserole often uses the canned version of crispy onions, but why not try these fresh air-fried onions instead!
The Technique
Traditionally, thinly sliced onions are deep-fried in oil until they turn golden brown with a light and crispy texture. If like me, you try to avoid deep-frying, you will love this technique of air-frying onions. Perfectly golden brown, light, and crispy air-fried onions use just a fraction of ghee. All you have to do is to stir the onions every 5 minutes so they cook evenly in the air fryer basket.
Meal Prep Recipe
This is one of my favorite meal-prep recipes, as the air-fried onions can be made ahead and then either refrigerated or frozen. I love making a variety of Instant Pot Biryani recipes for weeknight meals and these onions have become a huge time saver for me.
Avoiding Instant Pot "BURN"
In most of my Instant Pot Biryani recipes, I use the saute function to caramelize the onions. Although this technique is great for one-pot cooking, it can leave the bottom of the stainless steel pot browned leading to the "BURN" if the pot is not fully deglazed before the pressure cooking cycle.
Air frying onions not only helps reduce the "BURN" error on Instant Pot but is also a great way to meal prep. You can air fry the onions a few days before and then add them to the Biryani as needed.
Ingredients
I love using yellow onions in this recipe. You can easily substitute them with your favorite variety. Also traditionally for the Biryani recipe, I like to caramelize onions in homemade ghee, but the also recipe works well with any neutral oil.
Tips To Make Crispy Onions
Here are a few tips to make perfectly golden and crispy fried onions:
- Slice the onion thinly and evenly, use a sharp chefs knive or a mandolin
- No overcrowding the basket - I have tested this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 QT Air fryer which fits 1 large onion or about 2 cups of thinly sliced onions without overcrowding the basket
- Mix and spread the onions every five minutes so they cook evenly
- Every airfryer works differently so make sure to watch the onions closely during the last 5 minutes and add or reduce the air frying time as needed
How To Make Crispy Fried Onions
- Thinly slice the onion using a mandolin or a sharp chefs knife evenly cut, thin sliced
- Place the onions in a mixing bowl and add ghee
- Mix well using a silicone spatula
- Add the onions to the air fryer basket and spread evenly
- Air fry at 320 F 20 minutes mixing and spreading them evenly every 5 minutes.
Crispy Air-Fried Onions Make Everything Better!
I love adding air-fried onions to the marinade when making biryani. Simply crush them with the palms of your hands and add them to the marinade. They are also used as a garnish in chicken biryani, vegetable biryani, fish biryani, and chickpea biryani. Topping pulao or jeera rice with these onions also adds tons of flavor and texture!
When making curry paste in recipes like Shahi Chicken Korma or Mom's Chicken Curry simply use crispy onions in place of the raw onions to experience an unmatched depth of flavor. There is no need to cook them again, just add the golden onions to the blender along with other ingredients for a smooth and creamy masala paste.
Storing
Refrigerate in an air-tight container for 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze them in an airtight container or freezer zip lock bags for up to 3 months.
Recipe
Air fried onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion about 2 cups sliced
- 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 F for 5 minutes
- Thinly slice the onion using a sharp chefs knife or mandolin
- Place the sliced onions in a bowl and add ghee. Mix well using a silicone spatula
- Add the onions to the air fryer basket spreading them evenly
- Air fry at 320 F 20 minutes. Mix and spread them evenly every 5 minutes
Video
Notes
- I have tested this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 QT Air fryer which fits 1 large onion or about 2 cups of thinly sliced onions without overcrowding the basket
- Remember to mix and spread the onions every five minutes so they cook evenly
- Every airfryer works differently so make sure to watch the onions closely during the last 5 minutes and add or reduce the air frying time as needed
Nutan says
Most easiest and healthier recipe for crispy onions.
Archana says
Thank you!
Izzah says
Tried this method and loved it. So hands off. Thank you for sharing, Archana!
Archana says
Yay!Thank you Izzah!