Description
Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, this restaurant-style blooming onion is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Served with a creamy, zesty dipping sauce, it delivers the perfect crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1½ tablespoons ketchup
1½ teaspoons prepared horseradish
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 large Vidalia onion
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1½ teaspoons sweet paprika
1½ teaspoons garlic powder
1½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ to 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.
- Peel the onion and cut about ½ inch off the top, leaving the root intact. Slice downward into 12 to 16 sections without cutting through the root.
- Turn the onion over and gently separate the petals to create the blooming effect.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the onion thoroughly in the flour mixture, making sure to get between all petals.
- Place the onion in a bowl and pour buttermilk over it, allowing it to seep between the layers.
- Return the onion to the flour mixture and coat completely for an extra crispy crust.
- Heat vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
- Carefully lower the onion into the hot oil root-side up and fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn it over and fry for another 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Remove the onion and drain on paper towels.
- Serve immediately with the chilled dipping sauce.
Notes
Vidalia onions work best due to their sweetness and large size.
Make sure the flour and buttermilk reach between all petals for even coating.
Maintain the oil temperature for the crispiest texture.
Serve immediately for best flavor and crunch.
Leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Fry
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
