This gluten-free best ever blooming onion is a perfect healthy appetizer for a meal or party, and a great anytime snack. The best ever blooming onion is an impressive-looking appetizer, it’s the most delicious form of fried onion you’ll ever taste. 
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What Ingredients Do You Need For Best Ever Blooming Onion?
Find all the necessary measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version located at the conclusion of this post.
Onion – After experimenting, I’ve discovered that white onions provide my favorite flavor for this blooming onion recipe. They aren’t as pungent as a traditional yellow onion and not quite as sweet as a Vidalia onion, but Vidalia onions are also an excellent option for this recipe.
Dry mix: The ingredients required are flour, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano.
Wet mix: The necessary ingredients are milk and eggs.
For The Dipping Sauce
Condiments: To make the sauce, you will need mayonnaise, ketchup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and creamy horseradish.
Spices: The ingredients required are paprika and cayenne pepper.
How to make Best Ever Blooming Onion?
Step one: To achieve the stunning “blooming flower” appearance, begin by preparing your onion. First, remove the skin and cut the top off. Place the side that has been cut downwards onto the cutting board. About 1/2 inch from the root, make four even cuts to divide the onion into quarters. Next, divide each quarter into three equal parts to end up with a total of 12 onion petals. Soak the onion in water for approximately 10 minutes to allow the petals to separate.
Step two: In a medium-sized bowl, mix the milk and eggs together using a whisk.
Then, mix the flour and spices in a medium sized bowl by whisking until well blended.
Once the soaking process for the onions is completed, dry them by patting them with a cloth. Then, coat the onions in the flour mixture, followed by the egg mixture, and finally, give them one more coating of flour. If needed, sprinkle the flour mixture over each petal to ensure they are fully covered.
Step three: To avoid sticking, line the air fryer basket with tin foil and place the onion on top. Spray the onion with cooking spray and then cover it with another piece of tin foil to prevent burning on the top.
Step four: Cook the blooming onion at a temperature of 340°F for 10 minutes.
Afterwards, spray the onions with cooking spray again and raise the air fryer temperature to 360°F. Keep cooking for an extra 10 to 12 minutes. Finally, remove the tin foil and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the desired level of browning.
Step five: As the blooming onion is cooking, mix all the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a bowl until fully combined. Transfer the dip into a small bowl, such as a ramekin. Once the blooming onion has finished cooking, separate the middle petals and place the bowl containing the dip in the center.
My Best Tips :
- For this best ever blooming onion recipe, it’s recommended to use a sweet variety of onion, as it yields the best results. On the other hand, red onions are not ideal for this recipe and are not recommended.
- In regards to deep-frying, it is crucial to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil. These oils are best suited for high-heat cooking and will not easily break down, producing harmful smoke.
- For the best outcomes while frying, it is strongly advised to use a thermometer. This tool eliminates the need for guesswork and helps prevent issues such as burnt breading from oil that is too hot or undercooked breading from oil that is too cool.
- When deep frying, it’s best to use a heavy pot that has good heat retention properties. This type of pot ensures consistent and even heating, which results in perfectly cooked and crispy fried food.
- For this homemade blooming onion recipe, it serves one. If you plan to prepare multiple servings, it’s best to fry them individually to ensure even cooking and to maintain the proper frying temperature. Overcrowding the pot can result in uneven cooking and make it challenging to keep the temperature stable.
- For maximum crispiness and crunchiness, it’s best to consume these shortly after frying. As the breading tends to soften as it cools, these are not ideal for keeping after preparation.
- A heads up, once you prepare this scrumptious, golden crispy delight at home, your friends and family will constantly request it. The crispy petals have a flavor similar to onion rings but presented in a unique manner. I strongly suggest you try it soon!
The step-by-step instructions Best Ever Blooming Onion pictures can be found in the recipe card below.
Questions and answers about Best Ever this recipe
Recipe variations
Onions: This recipe suggests using a sweet onion for its mild taste. If a stronger flavor is desired, red onions are a good choice. For the strongest flavor, yellow and white onions are recommended.
Seasonings: Here, you have the opportunity to mix things up. If you’re a fan of fiery flavors, consider using Cajun or hot chili-style seasonings.
I highly recommend giving this best ever blooming onion recipe a try! It’s incredibly simple to make and yields a delicious onion appetizer that looks quite impressive. With the knowledge of how to cut an onion into perfect petal blooms, you’re all set!
What Do You Serve With Onion Blossom?
An onion blossom, also known as an onion bloom, is typically served as an appetizer or side dish. It is usually made from a whole onion that has been cut and battered, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. Some common sides and dips that pair well with an onion blossom include:
- Ranch dressing
- Blue cheese dressing
- Barbecue sauce
- Honey mustard sauce
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Horseradish sauce
- Mayo
- Guacamole
- Salsa
Some popular main dishes to serve with an onion blossom include burgers, fried chicken, grilled steaks, and sandwiches. You can also serve it as a standalone snack or appetizer, garnished with fresh herbs and served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Have a look at our other onions recipes, how about fried potatoes and onions
Can You Freeze fried whole onions?
Yes, you can freeze Best Ever Blooming Onion.
Fried onions can be preserved in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for a maximum period of three months. However, freezing may affect their texture and crispiness, so they may not be as crispy as when they were freshly fried.
When you’re ready to use the frozen fried onions, simply let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until they reach their original texture. Later, you can reheat them either in a pan or in the oven until they regain their crispiness.
Can You Store Blooming Onion?
Yes, to store the recipe for later use, securely wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in the refrigerator.
This will keep it fresh for a period of 2 to 3 days. When the time comes to eat it, the blooming onion can be re-heated either in an oven or in a microwave. Just keep in mind that the texture may change slightly and it may not be as crispy as when it was first cooked. If you have a whole blooming onion that hasn’t been cut or fried, you can store it in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
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Best Ever Blooming Onion
Ingredients
Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish sauce
- ½ teaspoons ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Blooming Onion:
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoons dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for deep-frying
- 1 large onion
Instructions
- To prepare the dipping sauce: In a small mixing bowl, blend together mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, paprika, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Then keep it in the refrigerator until you are prepared to serve.
- Prepare blooming onion: In a deep bowl large enough to hold an onion, whisk together milk and egg. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, and cumin until thoroughly combined.
- To prepare an onion, start by cutting 3/4 inch off both the top and bottom, then peel away the skin. Next, remove a 1-inch diameter core from the center. To slice an onion into 16 sections, start by using a sharp and large knife to make a cut down the center of the onion, stopping 3/4 of the way down. Then, rotate the onion by 90 degrees and make another slice. Feel free to repeat the process of dividing each section in half until you end up with a total of 16 sections. Take care not to cut through the base of the onion while slicing.
- Separate the petals, dip them in the milk mixture, and then thoroughly coat them with the flour mixture. Repeat the process by separating the petals once more and dusting them with the flour mixture, followed by another dip in the milk mixture and a final coating in the flour mixture. Place the battered onion in the refrigerator for a minimum of 15 minutes as you preheat the oil.
- Add sufficient oil to fully immerse the onion in a deep fryer or deep pot. Heat the oil to a temperature of 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the onion with its right side facing up in hot oil until it turns golden brown, which should take approximately 10 minutes. Once finished, take the onion out and place it on a rack or on paper towels to allow it to drain.
- Create a wide opening in the center of the onion to accommodate the dipping sauce bowl and serve while warm.
Trying the blooming onion.