Easy Air Fryer Onions Recipe (Sautéed Style)

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Air fryer onions are quite possibly the easiest way to get quick, caramelized onions for a variety of uses! Toss sliced yellow onions (or sweet onions) into the air fryer basket with a couple of other ingredients, cook for a few minutes, and the result is tender, savory air fryer onions that make the perfect topping for burgers, pork chops, hot dogs, brats, omelets... you name it.

This is one of the easiest air fryer recipes I've shared here (a few of my favorites include air fryer chicken wings and air fryer Brussels sprouts).

Air fryer onions being scooped up with a wooden spoon in air fryer basket.

They're not crispy onions, coated in a flour mixture and fried but rather an all-purpose air fryer onion recipe that will serve you well when you want a bit of that deeply rich and savory caramelized onion flavor.

why you'll love this recipe

Since creating my air fryer pork chop and onions recipe, these onions have been on rotation.

The air fryer is a great way to make tender and savory cooked onions in less time than it takes to make sauteed onions on the stovetop.

The cooking process is so easy and these onions are incredibly versatile. You can sub in whichever raw onion variety you have on hand. I've used white onions, vidalia onions, yellow onions and even red onions. Toss the sliced onions with a little bit of olive oil or avocado oil, seasonings and water, then air fry until they're golden brown and slightly crisp around the edges.

These onions are:

quick to prepare
versatile (toss them into soup, on top of burgers or into an omelet)
tasty on their own and a great way to add extra flavor to any dish

ingredient list

To make the onions, you'll need fewer than five simple ingredients and a couple of basic kitchen tools. The great thing about this easy air fryer recipe is that the seasonings are entirely optional. Omit them entirely and you'll still get tender, caramelized onions with a great flavor.

If you'd like different flavor profiles add your favorite seasonings of choice (like garlic powder, cayenne pepper for spice or onion powder for extra onion flavor). Prep the onion slices however you'd like and know this easy side dish will turn out great every time.

You will need:

large onions
olive oil or avocado oil
water (or sub beef broth for an extra umami kick!)
seasonings (optional)

how to make air fryer onions

For the full recipe, including recipe notes and ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Here's a quick summary of how to air fry onions:

Slice the onions. With a sharp knife and cutting board, cut each large onion into thin slices about ¼-1/2" thick. Toss them into a large bowl (or directly into the air fryer basket if that's the kind you have).
Mix the seasonings. In a shallow bowl, mix together whatever seasonings you're using to ensure they're blended well. I sometimes omit this but at a minimum, I'll use salt and black pepper.
Air fry the onions. Place onion into the air fryer basket. Drizzle some of the oil on top (you won't need a lot of oil, just a bit to help them crisp up). If you have avocado oil cooking spray, you can spray the onions directly, too. Toss them in the oil and then the seasonings. Pour in the water/broth. Arrange the sliced onions in a single layer before air frying for 15-20 minutes at 370°F.
Remove and serve. The onions are done when the slices are tender (similar to sautéed onions). I like to cook them until the edges are slightly crisp, but that's a personal preference. Remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving dish. Enjoy them as a side dish or topping for burgers, brats, and more!

Stirring air fryer onions in a black air fryer basket.

tips for the best air fryer onions

Stir the onions about halfway through the air frying time to ensure they're cooking evenly.

All air fryers cook a bit differently and the cooking time may vary based on the style of air fryer you have as well as how thin your onion slices are. I have this basket-style Gourmia air fryer. It's affordable and easy to use.

To store air fryer onions, transfer leftovers into a small bowl (and cover) or in an air-tight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to seven days.

While the seasonings are optional, here's where you can get creative! Add a dash of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder for slight kick, a sprinkle of brown monk fruit sweetener (affiliate) if you'd like them to be on the sweeter side, or season these onions with a bit of umami seasoning for truly spectacular air fryer onions.

These flavorful onions are a favorite recipe for creating a tasty topping in a pinch! The main reason I prep these is to jazz up a burger, an omelette or any other protein like steak or pork chops.

They have a flavor and texture similar to sautéed onions and are super easy to create alongside a main course since the air fryer does the work for you!

Closeup of air fryer onions in the air fryer basket.

frequently asked questions

Are onions good in an air fryer?

Onions in the air fryer make a wonderful addition to any main course! The air fryer does a great job of cooking the onions until they're tender and slightly caramelized (and slightly sweet!). Use them as a topping for burgers, tacos, hot dogs, brats, pork chops, steak and so much more. I also like to add air fryer onions to soups for an even richer, savory flavor.

How long do you cook onions in an air fryer?

At 370°F, cook the onions for 15-20 minutes depending on how thin the onion slices are (and the type of air fryer you have). Stir them halfway through the cook time to allow the onions to cook evenly.

How do you caramelize onions in an air fryer?

To caramelize onions in the air fryer, you'll want to extend the air frying time and add a bit of moisture (like water or broth) since the air fryer is more prone to drying out vegetables. True caramelized onions cook low and slow for for at least an hour until they're ultra tender and a deep, golden brown. These air fryer onions will have a flavor that resembles caramelized onions, but they won't need to cook as long (and that's the beauty of it!).