Crispy Blooming Onion with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Experience the restaurant-favorite Blooming Onion right in your own kitchen! This iconic appetizer showcases a perfectly golden, crispy onion with a deliciously spiced coating. Paired with a creamy and tangy chili dipping sauce, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering or as a delightful any-time snack. Learn the step-by-step process to make this mouthwatering treat, complete with insider tips on battering and frying to achieve the best texture and flavor. Your guests will rave about this exceptional dish that adds a burst of excitement and flavor to any occasion.
N/A
Servings
1200
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggs
20 (Whisked)
Milk
2 gallons (Mixed with eggs)
Vidalia or Texas sweet onions
4 (Cut and soaked)
Flour
2 cups (Seasoned)
Paprika
4 teaspoons (Mixed in flour)
Garlic powder
2 teaspoons (Mixed in flour)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Mixed in flour)
Cayenne
1/4 teaspoon (Mixed in flour)
Mayonnaise
1 pint (For sauce)
Sour cream
1 pint (For sauce)
Tomato chili sauce
1/2 cup (For sauce)
Cayenne
1/2 tablespoon (For sauce)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne. Mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
2
In another bowl, prepare the egg wash by whisking together 20 eggs and 2 gallons of milk until smooth.
3
Slice approximately 3/4 inch off the top of each onion, removing the peel while leaving the root intact.
4
Carefully cut each onion into 12-16 vertical wedges without cutting through the root base, ensuring the petals remain attached.
5
Soak the cut side of the onions in cold water for 30 minutes to encourage the petals to open up, then drain well.
6
Dust each onion with the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring all petals are evenly coated. Shake off the excess flour.
7
Dip the floured onions into the egg wash, allowing it to fully permeate between the petals.
8
Coat the onion once more with the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coverage.
9
Heat a deep fryer or heavy pot with oil to 375-400°F (190-205°C).
10
Gently lower one onion at a time into the hot oil using a fryer basket, frying for 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
11
Remove the onions from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
12
To prepare the Creamy Chili Sauce, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, tomato chili sauce, and cayenne pepper in a bowl until combined.
13
Serve the Blooming Onions hot with the Creamy Chili Sauce.
Nutrition Information
87g
Fat
80g
Carbs
47g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Crispy Blooming Onion?
A Crispy Blooming Onion is a popular restaurant-style appetizer where a whole onion is cut into petals to resemble a flower, battered in a spiced coating, and deep-fried until golden and crispy.
Which onions are best for this recipe?
Vidalia or Texas sweet onions are recommended for this recipe because of their large size and mild, sweet flavor.
How do you cut the onion to make it bloom?
Slice 3/4 inch off the top, peel it while keeping the root intact, and then cut 12-16 vertical wedges without cutting through the root base.
Why must the root be left intact?
The root base acts as an anchor that keeps all the onion petals attached during the cutting, soaking, and frying process.
Why should I soak the onions in cold water?
Soaking the cut side of the onions in cold water for 30 minutes encourages the petals to open up or 'bloom,' making them easier to coat with batter.
What spices are in the seasoned flour mixture?
The flour mixture contains paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper for a savory and slightly spicy flavor.
How do I get the coating to stick to the onion?
The recipe uses a double-coating method: first dusting with flour, then dipping in an egg wash, and then coating with flour again to ensure full coverage.
What are the ingredients for the egg wash?
The egg wash is made by whisking together 20 eggs and 2 gallons of milk until the mixture is smooth.
At what temperature should the oil be for frying?
The oil should be heated to between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit (190-205 degrees Celsius) for the best results.
How long does it take to fry a blooming onion?
Each onion should be fried for approximately 1.5 minutes on each side, or until it reaches a perfect golden brown color.
What is in the Spicy Dipping Sauce?
The Creamy Chili Sauce consists of mayonnaise, sour cream, tomato chili sauce, and cayenne pepper.
Is this Blooming Onion recipe spicy?
Yes, it has a mild to moderate heat profile due to the cayenne pepper in both the flour coating and the dipping sauce.
How do I remove excess oil after frying?
Once removed from the hot oil, the onions should be placed on paper towels to drain any excess grease before serving.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe uses 4 large onions, which are typically served as a shared appetizer for a group or party.
What is the calorie count for this dish?
This dish is estimated to contain approximately 1200 calories per serving.
Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the ingredients are vegetarian-friendly as they consist of vegetables, dairy, eggs, and grain-based flour.
How much fat is in a Blooming Onion?
The recipe contains approximately 87 grams of fat, largely due to the deep-frying process and the mayonnaise-based sauce.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This dish provides about 47 grams of protein, largely from the large quantity of eggs and milk used in the batter.
Can I use a regular deep fryer?
Yes, you can use a deep fryer or a heavy pot; a fryer basket is recommended to gently lower the onions into the oil.
What makes this a 'Southern' style dish?
The use of sweet onions like Vidalia and the heavy breading and frying technique are hallmarks of Southern-style appetizers.
How many eggs are used in the egg wash?
This specific large-scale recipe calls for 20 eggs to prepare the egg wash for the onions.
Can I prepare the dipping sauce in advance?
Yes, the Creamy Chili Sauce can be mixed ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
How many vertical wedges should I cut?
You should aim for 12 to 16 vertical wedges per onion to create enough 'petals' for the bloom effect.
Why is the top of the onion sliced off?
Slicing about 3/4 inch off the top allows you to remove the peel and creates a flat surface to begin the vertical petal cuts.
What kind of flour is used?
Standard all-purpose flour is used as the base for the seasoned breading.
Can I use a different type of chili sauce?
While tomato chili sauce is recommended, you can experiment with different styles of chili sauce to adjust the tanginess or heat.
Should the onions be served hot?
Yes, Blooming Onions are best enjoyed immediately after frying while they are still hot and at their maximum crispiness.
How much milk is needed for the batter?
The recipe requires 2 gallons of milk to be mixed with the eggs for the dipping station.
What is the carbohydrate count?
This recipe contains approximately 80 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is it necessary to shake off excess flour?
Yes, shaking off excess flour ensures the coating isn't too thick and prevents the petals from clumping together during frying.