This Blooming Onions recipe comes together in about 25 minutes, and you’ll be frying them up in no time for an easy appetizer that your family will love! Trust me; you’ll want this in your go-to recipe rotation!
Here’s What You Need
- 2 pounds cipollini onions (peeled and sectioned)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- ¼ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- A couple pinches of salt and pepper
Let’s Get Cooking!
1. Prep Time (10-15 minutes)
Start by preparing those adorable little cipollini onions. Slice off the root end carefully, remember, you want to keep the onion mostly intact, so just take off as little as possible. Peel those layers off gently, too. They can be a bit slippery, but I find that this helps keep everything neat. Next, grab a sharp knife and cut each onion into eighths vertically, again being cautious not to slice all the way through. You want those onion petals to stay together!
Once you’ve sliced all your onions, press them gently to separate the sections a bit. Toss these beauties into a bowl with the buttermilk and beaten eggs. Let them hang out and soak in all that goodness for about 5-10 minutes, but seriously, you could even do this step the night before and stick them in the fridge for a super easy weeknight meal!
2. Make the Flour Mixture
While the onions are soaking, whip out another bowl and combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix it together until everything is well-blended. This mixture is going to create those perfect, crispy layers on your onions!
3. Coat the Onions (5 minutes)
Once the onions have marinated, it’s time to dust them up! Remove them from the buttermilk (a little splash isn’t a problem) and toss them in the flour mixture. Be sure to get that flour into all the cracks and crevices, this is what makes them “bloom” beautifully when they fry. Move those coated onions to a clean plate, don’t crowd them; just let them chill there for a moment.
4. Frying Time (4-5 minutes)
Grab a pot or a deep pan and heat up some vegetable oil to about 350 degrees F. You want enough oil to submerge the onions but not so much that you’re using it like water! Once it’s hot, drop in those bite-sized onions carefully (maybe a few at a time). Fry them for about 4 minutes or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Ah, it’s so satisfying to watch them puff up! When they’re done, remove them from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel for just a minute. Serve ‘em hot, fresh from the fryer!
Dipping Sauce Preparation (5 minutes)
While your onions are frying, you can whip up the dipping sauce! Just mix together ¼ cup mayo, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon ketchup, ½ teaspoon paprika, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. It’s creamy, tangy, and the perfect complement to those crispy onions!
If you loved this quick and easy Bite-Sized Blooming Onions recipe, be sure to check out my delicious Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks or my Iowa Party Bites!
Why These Blooming Onions Work
Quick & Easy
This delicious Bite-Sized Blooming Onions recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Just prep, soak, coat, and fry, easy peasy!
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it! Kids get a kick out of the crispy petals, and adults appreciate the rich flavors and versatility. It’s a great dish for parties or game nights!
Customizable
Feel free to play around with the dipping sauces and spices. Whether you’re feeling spicy, herby, or garlic, you can easily make this recipe your own.
Comfort Food
These little crispy bites are loaded with tons of flavor. It’s basically a warm hug in snack form! Who wouldn’t want that?
Perfect for Meal Prep
Make these ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer! They reheat well in the oven, crispy, not soggy, which means you can whip up a delicious snack anytime!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This
Serve your Bite-Sized Blooming Onions as an appetizer, game day snack, or even as a fun side dish alongside a juicy burger or grilled chicken!
Storage
These onions are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 5-10 minutes until they are warm and crisp again. Microwave might make them a little soggy, it’s not the worst, just not the best!
Freezer Friendly
Yes, you can freeze the coated, un-fried onions for up to 3 months! Just let them thaw in the refrigerator before frying.
Now, isn’t that something you’re totally excited to try? With Bite-Sized Blooming Onions, your snack game is officially elevated! Enjoy frying and let those delicious aromas fill your kitchen!
Time to dive into that recipe and whip these up for your next gathering, or just because you deserve a tasty treat at home! Happy cooking!
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Bite-Sized Blooming Onions
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A crispy, delicious appetizer that’s easy to make and perfect for the whole family. Customize with your favorite spices and dipping sauces!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cipollini onions (peeled and sectioned)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- ¼ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- A couple pinches of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prepare cipollini onions by slicing off the root end and sectioning them into eighths. Soak in a mixture of buttermilk and beaten eggs for 5-10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, paprika, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Coat the soaked onions with the flour mixture, ensuring all sections are coated.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F and fry the onions for about 4 minutes or until golden brown.
- For the dipping sauce, mix mayo, sour cream, ketchup, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Notes
Feel free to switch cipollini onions with smaller yellow onions or shallots. Customize your spices and dipping sauces based on preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg