Crispy Air Fryer Shallots

These crispy Air Fryer shallots, with their beautiful caramelized, toasted flavor, are one of the best toppings to add to savoury dishes like soups, stews and casseroles. 

A light coating of oil and gentle air frying bring out their sweet, toasted flavor. Watch closely near the end, since thin slices brown quickly.

crispy air fryer shallots in a bowl beside an Air Fryer

I have to be honest- I’m fairly new to the whole Air Fryer game.
Sure, I’ve tried quite a few good Air Fryer recipes recently - my Air Fryer roasted garlic and Air Fryer asparagus topping the list. 

Quick Look: Crispy Air Fryer Shallots

  • 🔪 Prep time: 5 minutes.
  • 🍳 Cook time: 15–25 minutes; check often near the end.
  • 🍽️ Servings: 4.
  • 🥣 Main ingredients: Shallots and a little oil.
  • ➡️ Method: Peel and dry → slice evenly → lightly oil → air fry and shake → cool until crisp.
  • ⭐ Difficulty: Easy.
  • 🥢 Best served with: Soups, noodles, rice bowls, salads, or baked eggs.
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What's So Great About the Recipe?

  • You need just shallots and a light coating of oil.
  • Even slices develop a sweet, toasted flavor in the air fryer.
  • A small handful adds crunch to soups, salads, and rice bowls.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need just 2 simple ingredients to make the Air Fryer crispy shallots.

ingredients for the air fryer shallots

Shallots: You’ll need to start off with fresh shallots. Find shallots that are firm to touch and don’t have any blemishes or spots on the outside. 

Oil: To grease and add moisture to the shallots, you’ll need a bit of oil too. Use any cooking oil of your choice.

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

  • To add a bit of extra flavor to the crispy shallots, you can also sprinkle a bit of salt over them before you pop them in the Air Fryer basket. 
  • Crushed black pepper and red pepper flakes are both good additions too. Just remember to mix them in towards the end, after the shallots are done getting crispy.

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Shallots

cut onions into slices

Step 1: Peel the shallots. Rinse and pat them dry using a paper towel. 

dry it on a dry cloth

Step 2: Thinly slice the shallots and toss with oil. Preheat the Air Fryer at 250 degrees. 

Step 3: Arrange them in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket. 

fry it for some minutes

Step 4: Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so. 

let it cool down then enjoy

Step 5: Once they look golden brown, get them out and allow them to cool down completely. Use them for your favorite recipes. 

💭Top Tip

Remove the shallots as soon as they turn golden. Thin slices can go from golden to burnt quickly, and they become crisper as they cool.

crunchy air fryer shallots served in a bowl

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe

  • To get the perfect thin slices, I would recommend that you use a mandolin slicer. This will also ensure that all the shallots are cooked at the same time. 
  • Also remember not to overcrowd the Air Fryer basket with too many shallots rings. Leaving a bit of space between them will ensure that they all cook evenly.
  • The cook time for these crispy shallots depends on the kind of Air Fryer you’re using, and some other factors. Generally, it takes about 25 minutes for the sliced shallots to be all nice and crispy. 
crispy shallots beside an Air Fryer

How to Store Leftovers

Allow the shallots to cool, then refrigerate in a covered container and use within 3–4 days. Re-crisp a small portion briefly in the air fryer, watching closely. Do not assume homemade shallots are shelf-stable for months.

air fryer shallots in a small bowl

How to Use Crispy Air Fryer Shallots

The beauty of these crispy fried shallots is the fact that they’re so versatile and flavorful, you can use them in tons of different recipes. Add them to your sandwiches and wraps or use them as a condiment- the ideas are endless. 

In Salads

These Air Fryer shallots are one of the simplest and most versatile additions to your simple salads. They bring in a nice crunch factor and a touch of sweetness, which can work beautifully with most flavors. 

In fact, they can also be a crunchy snack option to consider sprinkling over your dips and using as a garnish. 

Also Read: Balsamic Pickled Onions

As a Topping

These crispy shallots are one of my favorite toppings to use over my soups, stews and casseroles. I love sprinkling it over my Elote casserole when I need a bit of extra texture. 

I also love how it can add such a beautiful bit of sweetness to my soups- particularly my cucumber gazpacho and cilantro chicken soup. 

Crispy fried onions aka birista are also a staple condiment in most Indian households, and are sprinkled over curries and stews. I love using this air fried version over my goat paya and bhuna gosht. 

And if you’re obsessed with using aromatics like garlic and onions, you might also want to check out these Mexican grilled onions and Korean green onion salad recipes. 

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Can I Use Any Other Type of Onion for this Recipe?

You sure can! Both red and white onions are great choices, but remember that if you’re looking for a milder flavor, shallots are the best.

Can I Use Cooking Oil Spray Instead?

Yes, that’s completely fine too! Both avocado oil and olive oil work great- the idea is to add a bit of moisture (and incentive) to the onions to brown up nicely in the Air-Fryer. 

More Recipes to Try

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

If you tried this Crispy Air Fryer Shallots or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Crispy Air Fryer Shallots

Learn how to make crispy Air Fryer shallots that are perfect as a flavorful topping over anything that needs a kickass savory flavor!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Condiments
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 68 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cup shallots
  • ½ teaspoon oil

Instructions
 

  • Peel the shallots. Rinse and pat them dry using a paper towel.
  • Thinly slice the shallots and toss with oil. Preheat the Air Fryer at 250 degrees.
  • Arrange them in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket.
  • Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so.
  • Once they look golden brown, get them out and allow them to cool down completely.

Notes

Slice the shallots evenly and coat them lightly with oil. Avoid crowding the basket, and shake it regularly for even browning. Check often near the end; thin shallots burn quickly and become crisper as they cool.
Cool, then refrigerate in a covered container and use within 3–4 days. Re-crisp briefly in the air fryer, watching closely. Do not store homemade shallots at room temperature for months.

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 296mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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