Air Fryer French Onion Soup is the easiest way to enjoy this classic dish without the hassle. Rich caramelized onions, crispy bread, and melted cheese come together beautifully in less time, thanks to the air fryer. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect for any family meal or cozy night at home.

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For me, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food when I need something satisfying. It’s perfect for a laid-back family dinner or a casual gathering where you want to serve something a little special. You can make the soup base ahead of time or freeze it for up to three months, so all you need to do is reheat, toast the bread, and melt the cheese before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Overhead view of various ingredients for French Onion Soup, including pepper, thyme, Gouda cheese, red wine vinegar, yellow onions, bay leaves, olive oil, butter, garlic, salt, beef broth, and slices of bread. — Air Fryer Onion Soup Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Air Fryer French Onion Soup with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

If you follow my simple instructions, you’ll find this recipe quick and satisfying to make.

Caramelize the Onions in the Air Fryer

Place the sliced onions, olive oil, butter, and a pinch of salt into a casserole dish that fits in your air fryer basket.

Set the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. This ensures even cooking and allows the onions to caramelize to a deep golden brown.

Add Garlic and Deglaze the Dish

Once the onions are softened and golden, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the red wine vinegar to deglaze the dish, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.

Close-up of sliced onions and butter in a white pot inside an air fryer basket, perfectly setting the stage for a delicious Air Fryer French Onion Soup, surrounded by kitchen items on a counter. — Place the onions, olive oil, butter, garlic, and salt into a casserole dish.

A bowl of caramelized onions sits in an air fryer basket, surrounded by fresh thyme and cheese slices—perfect ingredients to craft a mouthwatering Air Fryer French Onion Soup. — Cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, then add the wine.

A ceramic dish with French onion soup sits inside an air fryer, perfectly blending classic flavors with modern convenience. — Add the beef broth, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf, then air fry for 12 minutes.

Simmer the Broth and Herbs

Add the beef broth, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf to the casserole dish. Place it back in the air fryer and cook for another 12 minutes.

This step blends the flavors beautifully. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Toast the Bread

While the soup is simmering, brush your bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

Three slices of seasoned bread are evenly spaced in a black air fryer basket, ready to become the perfect crispy topping for your Air Fryer French Onion Soup. — Toast the bread and slices with olive oil and salt and pepper.

Air fry the bread slices at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp.

Finish with Cheese

To serve, top the soup with toasted bread slices and a slice of Gruyere or Gouda cheese.

A steaming bowl of Air Fryer French Onion Soup paired with perfectly toasted bread emerges from the air fryer, filling the room with its rich aroma. — Top the soup with toasted bread slices.

A bowl of Air Fryer French Onion Soup, topped with two slices of cheese, melts to perfection. — Add a slice of Gruyere or Gouda cheese.

A delightful Air Fryer French Onion Soup features a baked dish with rich melted cheese and herbs crowning perfectly browned bread in a charming ceramic pot. — Air fry for 3-4 minutes.

Return the casserole dish to the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Garnish and Serve

Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Garnish each bowl with freshly ground black pepper and a few extra thyme leaves for a finishing touch.

A dish of baked casserole with a golden crust sits on a cloth, reminiscent of Air Fryer French Onion Soup. Garnished with fresh herbs, it is surrounded by onions and herbs on a light surface. — Garnish with black pepper and thyme before serving.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

I’ve gathered these tips to help you achieve the perfect bowl of French onion soup every time:

Even Caramelization: Stir the onions every 5 minutes while cooking to ensure they brown evenly without burning.
Deglazing the Dish: Don’t skip deglazing with vinegar; it lifts the rich browned bits that add so much flavor.
Broth Choice: Use a good quality beef broth or stock for the richest flavor. Low-sodium broth works best so you can control the salt.
Bread Texture: Thick slices of bread like baguette or sourdough work best since they hold up under the soup without getting soggy.
Cheese Selection: Gruyere is the classic cheese choice, but you can use Gouda, mozzarella, or Swiss as alternatives.
Casserole Dish Fit: Make sure your casserole dish fits snugly into the air fryer basket for even cooking.
Melting the Cheese: Keep an eye on the cheese when finishing; it melts quickly, and you don’t want it to burn.
Herb Removal: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving to avoid any unwanted bits in your soup.

A spoon lifts a serving of air fryer French onion soup from a brown pot, with melted cheese and herbs on top. — Air Fryer Onion Soup. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer French Onion Soup

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the soup (without the bread and cheese) for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing, and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.

When reheating, add fresh toasted bread and cheese for the best results.

What to Serve With Air Fryer French Onion Soup

Pair this hearty soup with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or a light sandwich for a complete meal. It also works perfectly as a starter for steak, roast chicken, or any cozy dinner spread.

A bowl of Air Fryer French onion soup topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh thyme. — Air Fryer Onion Soup. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes for You to Try at Home

I’ve got more easy recipes in the air fryer for you to try.

Air Fryer Classic French Onion Soup

Air Fryer French Onion Soup gives you all the cozy, classic flavors you love without the hassle. The air fryer handles the caramelized onions and bubbly cheese in no time, making it perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers. Plus, you can make the soup base ahead or freeze it, so it’s ready whenever you need a quick, comforting meal.

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 15

Course: Soup

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Air Fryer French Onion Soup

Servings:

Calories: 267kcal

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar to deglaze the pan
6 cups beef broth
5 sprigs fresh thyme plus more for garnish
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 bread slices
4 gruyere or gouda cheese slices

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Place the sliced onions, olive oil, butter, and a pinch of salt into a heatproof casserole dish that fits inside your air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure the onions brown evenly and avoid burning.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 large yellow onions
When the onions are golden and softened, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant. Pour in the red wine vinegar and deglaze the dish by scraping up the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
2 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Add the beef broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf to the casserole dish. Return the dish to the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6 cups beef broth, 5 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf
While the soup simmers, brush the bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper. Place them in the air fryer and toast at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
4 bread slices, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Once the soup is ready, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Place the toasted bread slices on top of the soup and add a slice of cheese to each one. Return the dish to the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
4 gruyere or gouda cheese slices
Garnish with freshly ground black pepper and a few thyme leaves before serving.

Notes

Even Caramelization: Stir the onions every 5 minutes while cooking to ensure they brown evenly without burning.
Deglazing the Dish: Don’t skip deglazing with vinegar; it lifts the rich browned bits that add so much flavor.
Broth Choice: Use a good quality beef broth or stock for the richest flavor. Low-sodium broth works best so you can control the salt.
Bread Texture: Thick slices of bread like baguette or sourdough work best since they hold up under the soup without getting soggy.
Cheese Selection: Gruyere is the classic cheese choice, but you can use Gouda, mozzarella, or Swiss as alternatives.
Casserole Dish Fit: Make sure your casserole dish fits snugly into the air fryer basket for even cooking.
Melting the Cheese: Keep an eye on the cheese when finishing; it melts quickly, and you don’t want it to burn.
Herb Removal: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving to avoid any unwanted bits in your soup.

Nutrition

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About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Air Fryer French Onion Soup

Ingredients You’ll Need