Description
The Best Ever Blooming Onion recipe delivers a crispy, flavorful appetizer featuring tender, golden-fried onion petals bursting with a savory seasoning blend. Perfect for sharing at parties or game nights, it offers an unbeatable crunch and customizable dipping sauces using simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion and Coating
- 1 large yellow onion (firm and fresh)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Onion: Peel the onion and cut off the top, leaving the root intact to hold the petals together. Carefully slice the onion into even sections like petals, stopping just before the root to maintain shape. Rinse gently to separate layers without breaking.
- Soak in Buttermilk: Submerge the onion in buttermilk or milk for 30 minutes to soften and add moisture to help the breading stick.
- Mix the Seasoned Flour: In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until evenly mixed.
- Coat the Onion: Remove the onion from the milk bath, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge carefully in the flour mixture, coating every petal. For extra crunch, dip back into the milk and then again into the seasoned flour.
- Fry Until Golden: Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot. Slowly lower the onion root-side up into the oil and fry for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels or wire racks.
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: While frying, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper in a bowl for a creamy, tangy sauce.
Notes
- Choose a large, firm yellow onion for sturdy petals.
- Double dredging in milk and flour enhances breading thickness and crunch.
- Maintain oil temperature around 350°F to avoid greasy coating.
- Drain fried onion on wire racks over paper towels to keep crisp.
- Prepare dipping sauce ahead and chill to develop flavors.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
- Oven-bake as a lighter alternative to deep frying.
- Reheat leftovers in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 blooming onion with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: blooming onion, appetizer, fried onion, party snack, crispy onion, dipping sauce, gluten-free option
