Crispy Onion Cheese Chips (Printable)

Crunchy onion and cheese bites, air-fried until golden and crispy for a savory, satisfying snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium yellow onions, peeled

→ Cheese

02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Spices

04 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Optional Garnish

08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

# How to Make It:

01 - Slice the onions very thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife and separate into rings.
02 - Pat onion slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a mixing bowl, toss onion slices with garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
04 - Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
05 - Place small piles of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese on the lining, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
06 - Top each cheese pile with a few seasoned onion slices, pressing gently to adhere.
07 - Sprinkle any remaining cheese over the onion slices for added crunch.
08 - Air-fry at 375°F for 8 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is golden and crispy and onions are browned.
09 - Let chips cool in the basket for 2 to 3 minutes to crisp further, then carefully remove using a spatula.
10 - Garnish with chopped fresh chives if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 25 minutes, which means you can satisfy a snack craving without derailing your afternoon.
  • The cheese gets ridiculously crispy while the onions turn sweet and caramelized at the edges, creating this textural magic that feels totally indulgent.
  • Since they're low-carb and naturally gluten-free, they work for almost every dietary preference you might encounter.
02 -
  • Moisture is your biggest saboteur—soggy onions will steam instead of crisping, so that paper towel drying step is non-negotiable no matter how impatient you feel.
  • Every air fryer runs a little differently, so start checking at 8 minutes rather than waiting the full 12—you want that cheese golden and bubbly, not burnt.
  • The chips continue crisping as they cool, so resist the urge to leave them in longer if they look slightly soft; they'll firm up on the counter.
03 -
  • If your air fryer has hot spots, rotate the basket halfway through cooking for even browning.
  • Using a silicone mat instead of parchment paper means no parchment edges to worry about catching, and cleanup is genuinely easier.
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