Description
This homemade blooming onion recipe offers perfectly crispy, golden petals with a smoky paprika kick, perfect for dipping. It’s a fun and hearty appetizer that is simpler to master than it seems, great for family dinners or a weekend project.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large Spanish or Vidalia onion (approx. 1.5–2 lbs)
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 0.5 tsp black pepper, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 4–6 cups peanut, vegetable, or canola oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- Prepare Onion: Place onion root-side up, make 8 vertical cuts stopping 0.5 inch from the root, then gently pry petals open.
- Make Wet Batter: Whisk eggs, milk, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp pepper in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Mix Dry Coating: Combine flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, remaining 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp pepper in a large bowl and whisk well.
- Dredge Onion: Immerse the onion in the wet batter, letting excess drip off. Then, generously dredge in the dry mix, working between petals. Repeat for extra crispness.
- Preheat Oil: Heat 3-4 inches of peanut, vegetable, or canola oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C) using a thermometer.
- Fry Onion: Carefully lower the onion into the hot oil. Fry for 8-10 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. Buttermilk can be used instead of milk for a tangier flavor. If coating clumps during dredging, gently shake excess flour or fluff with a fork. For extra heat, add more cayenne to the dry coating. Select firm, heavy onions for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of onion (approx 120 g)
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: blooming onion, paprika, appetizer, deep fried, crispy, easy, party food, American, spicy