Blooming Onion

Name: Blooming Onion
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup sour cream; 1 ½ tablespoons creamy horseradish; 1 ½ tablespoons ketchup; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; 2 large eggs; 1 cup milk; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon paprika; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 3 medium sweet onions; Vegetable oil (for frying)

Recipe By:

Martha

Posted:

January 29, 2025

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If you’re a fan of crispy, flavorful appetizers, learning how to make a blooming onion at home is a must! This show-stopping dish is perfect for sharing with friends and family at gatherings or enjoying as a fun treat during a movie night. With its crunchy exterior and soft, savory onion inside, you’ll delight your taste buds and impress your guests with this copycat version of the famous Outback Steakhouse blooming onion.

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Why You’ll Love Making a Blooming Onion

Making a blooming onion is not only fun but also surprisingly simple. You’ll feel like a pro in your kitchen. Plus, everyone loves that crispy, golden goodness! When you serve this, it becomes the star of the show. People will gather around just to get a taste. The blend of spices brings out incredible flavors, making it hard to stop at just one piece. It’s great for parties, family gatherings, or just when you want to treat yourself. Trust me, once you try this blooming onion, it’ll become a favorite in your home!

Ingredients

For the Dipping Sauce:

¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 ½ tablespoons creamy horseradish
1 ½ tablespoons ketchup
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

For the Onion:

2 large eggs
1 cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
3 medium sweet onions
Vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparing the Dipping Sauce

Combine the Ingredients

To start, grab a bowl and whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, creamy horseradish, ketchup, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix until it’s all smooth. This sauce is key! It adds a zesty kick that pairs perfectly with the onion. Once you have it all mixed, set it aside for a bit. Letting the flavors meld together makes a difference.

Preparing the Onion

Whisk the Egg and Milk Mixture

Now, let’s focus on the star of our dish: the onion! In a wide, deep bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Make sure they’re well combined because this mixture will help the flour stick to the onion. It’s important for getting that crunchy coating we all love.

Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Next, you’ll need another bowl. In this one, mix the flour, paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, thyme, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir it up until it’s all evenly distributed. This mixture will create that amazing crunchy coating for the onion.

Cut the Onion

Now for the fun part! Grab your onions and cut a small, flat slice off the non-root end of each. Be careful to remove any dried or damaged outer layers. After that, place the onion, root side up, on your cutting board. Slice it into quarter sections, making sure to keep ½ inch from the root. This is what makes it bloom! Then, cut each quarter into 3 or 4 smaller sections while keeping the root intact. When you’re done, gently fan out the sections so it looks like a flower.

Coat the Onion

Using your hands, take the fanned onion and coat it well in the flour mixture. Make sure all sections are evenly covered. Next, dunk the onion into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Then, return it to the flour mixture for a second coating. This double-coating is what gives it that delicious crunch!

Frying the Onion

Heat the Oil

In a heavy pan, heat enough vegetable oil to cover the onion to 375°F. A thermometer helps here! Getting the oil to the right temperature is crucial. If it’s too cool, the onion will soak up oil and be greasy. If it’s too hot, it can burn quickly. You want it just right for that perfect golden color.

Fry the Onion

Carefully place the coated onion, root side up, into the hot oil. Fry it for about 7-10 minutes or until it’s golden brown and crispy. This is where the magic happens! When it’s done, carefully drain the onion on paper towels to remove any excess oil. The smell alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen!

Serving Suggestions

Serve the blooming onion right away while it’s hot and crispy. Don’t forget to include the prepared dipping sauce for the ultimate experience. People will love pulling apart the crunchy petals and dipping them in that zesty sauce. It’s a match made in appetizer heaven!

Tips for Success

Ensure the oil is at the right temperature before frying. This is key for achieving that perfect golden color and crispy texture.
Be thorough with your coatings. Make sure to coat the onion well in both the flour and egg mixtures. The more thorough you are, the crispier the onion will be.

Variations

Feeling adventurous? Experiment with different seasonings in the flour mixture! You might try smoked paprika or onion powder for unique flavor profiles. Also, consider adding shredded cheese to the dipping sauce. A cheesy twist could elevate your blooming onion to the next level.

FAQs

Can I prepare the blooming onion in advance?
While it’s best served fresh, you can prep the onion and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to fry. Just make sure to keep the coating separate until frying.

What type of onion works best for a blooming onion?
Sweet onions, like Vidalia or Walla Walla, work best. Their mild flavor and larger size make them perfect for this recipe.

Can I bake the blooming onion instead of frying it?
Yes, you can bake it! Try baking it at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes. However, keep in mind that it may not be as crispy as the fried version.

What can I serve with a blooming onion?
This dish pairs wonderfully with burgers, grilled meats, or as part of a game-day snack spread. It’s perfect for sharing!

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to make a delicious blooming onion from scratch, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get cooking! This impressive dish is sure to become a favorite at your gatherings and an exciting addition to your culinary repertoire. Enjoy your homemade blooming onion!

More Easy Appetizers & snacks Recipes:

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Blooming Onion

Why You’ll Love Making a Blooming Onion