Description
A crispy, golden brown blooming onion appetizer that’s perfect for sharing. Sweet onion petals are coated in a flavorful blend of spices, fried to perfection, and served with a zesty dipping sauce for a delicious bite every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion and Breading
- 1 large sweet onion (such as Vidalia)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko works best)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Onion: Peel the onion and slice off the top, keeping the root intact. Place the onion cut side down and carefully cut into 12-16 wedges, making sure not to cut through the root so that the onion stays in one piece.
- Separate the Petals: Gently pull apart the onion petals to form a “bloom,” creating space for the breading and frying.
- Prepare the Breading: In a bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk. Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl to keep the coating layers organized.
- Coat the Onion: Dip the onion first into the seasoned flour mixture, coating it thoroughly. Then dip it into the egg and buttermilk mixture, and finally coat it well with the breadcrumbs, making sure the petals remain separated for crispiness.
- Fry the Onion: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Carefully lower the onion into the hot oil and fry for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Fry in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pot.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the onion fries, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Serve: Remove the fried onion from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce on the side for a perfect appetizer experience.
Notes
- Make sure to keep the onion root intact when cutting to maintain the bloom shape.
- Use a large enough pot or deep fryer to avoid overcrowding and achieve even frying.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide extra crunch but regular breadcrumbs work if necessary.
- Adjust cayenne pepper in the breading and sauce to your preferred spice level.
- Serve immediately after frying for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
