Description
This Awesome Bloomin’ Onion recipe features a crispy, golden fried onion flower served with a tangy and creamy dipping sauce made from Thousand Island dressing and horseradish. Perfect as an appetizer to share with friends, this Southern-style classic offers a delightful combination of crunchy texture and bold flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Bloomin Onion
- 1 large onion, white or yellow
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Bloomin Onion Sauce
- Thousand Island dressing, 1/2 cup
- Creamy horseradish sauce, 1/4 cup
Instructions
- Prepare the flour mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Make the egg wash: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
- Cut the onion: Remove the papery skin of the onion and trim about 1/2 inch from the pointy end. Place the onion cut-side down on a cutting board and slice vertically downward about 1/2 inch from the root end, repeating to make 12-16 sections like flower petals. Carefully separate and open the petals with your fingers to create the blossom shape.
- Coat the onion: Place the onion flower into the flour mixture, lifting it to coat thoroughly and shaking off any excess flour. Then dip it into the egg wash, ensuring all petals are covered, and return it to the flour mixture for a second coating. Lift and set the onion onto a plate.
- Freeze the onion: Place the coated onion flower in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the batter to set, which helps achieve a crispy texture when fried.
- Heat the oil: In a deep fryer or large pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F, using a thermometer to maintain the temperature throughout frying.
- Fry the onion: Carefully lower the onion flower, cut-side down, into the hot oil. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown, then flip to fry the other side for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. The whole blooming onion should be evenly crispy and golden.
- Drain the onion: Remove the onion from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the Thousand Island dressing and creamy horseradish sauce until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Serve the blooming onion hot with the prepared dipping sauce on the side. Dip each petal into the sauce and enjoy this classic appetizer.
Notes
- Maintain the oil temperature close to 350°F to ensure the onion fries evenly and achieves a crispy texture without absorbing too much oil.
- Freezing the coated onion before frying helps the batter stick better and results in a crunchier coating.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount to alter the spiciness of the coating.
- If unavailable, you can substitute creamy horseradish sauce with prepared horseradish mixed with mayonnaise for a similar flavor.
- Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature continuously for best frying results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
