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Crispy Homemade Blooming Onion

A show-stopping appetizer featuring a whole onion cut into petals, battered, and deep-fried to golden perfection.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Onion
  • 1 large sweet onion Vidalia or similar
Dry Mix
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
Wet Mix
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 cup milk whole
Dipping Sauce
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 2 tbsp creamy horseradish

Equipment

  • Deep Fryer or Dutch Oven
  • Sharp knife
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Cut top off onion and peel. Leave root intact.
  2. Cut onion into 12-16 sections, stopping 1/2 inch from root.
  3. Soak onion in ice water for 1 hour to open petals. Drain and pat dry.
  4. Whisk flour and spices in one bowl; eggs and milk in another.
  5. Dip onion in flour (coat thoroughly), then egg wash, then flour again.
  6. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Fry onion cut-side down for 3 minutes, flip and fry 3-4 minutes more.
  8. Drain upside down on wire rack. Serve immediately with sauce.

Notes

Soaking the onion in ice water is the crucial step for getting the petals to fan out properly.