Blooming Onion Bites

Blooming Onion Bites arranged around a creamy dipping sauce on a white marble countertop, styled with fresh herbs and a white towel. — Crispy Blooming Onion Bites served with a smoky dipping sauce — a fun, shareable twist on the famous blooming onion.

Blooming Onion Bites are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that takes all the flavor of a blooming onion and makes it easier to enjoy at home. Instead of wrestling with a giant fried onion, these bite-sized petals are coated in a seasoned, crispy crust and served with a creamy dipping sauce. They’re perfect for game day, parties, or just when you’re craving something fun and crunchy.

Because each petal is individually coated, you get more of that irresistible crunch in every bite. The recipe works beautifully fried for extra crispiness or baked for a lighter version without sacrificing flavor. Either way, the smoky seasoning and the cool, tangy dipping sauce make these onion bites impossible to resist.

The blooming onion became famous at restaurants in the 1980s, and this playful version makes it simple to recreate at home without special tools. Serve these golden bites hot, and watch them disappear faster than you think!

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 large sweet onions, cut into bite-sized petals
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 large eggs
2 tbsp water
Vegetable oil, for frying (or cooking spray if baking)

Dipping Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp horseradish
½ tsp smoked paprika
Pinch of cayenne
Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare onions:
Peel onions and cut into small petal-like wedges. Separate layers gently and place in a bowl.

2. Soak in buttermilk:
Pour buttermilk over the onion petals. Let them soak for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and help coating stick.

3. Mix coating:
In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Whisk eggs with water in another bowl.

4. Coat onions:
Remove onion petals from buttermilk. Dip first in flour mix, then into egg wash, and finally back into the flour mixture. Shake off excess.

5. Fry or bake:
For frying, heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry onion bites in batches until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. For baking, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C), arrange coated onion bites on a greased baking sheet, spray generously with cooking spray, and bake 18–20 minutes until crispy.

6. Make sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Chill until ready to serve.

7. Serve and enjoy:
Pile the crispy onion bites on a platter and serve hot with dipping sauce.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

Double-Coating for Crispiness: Dipping the onion petals twice in flour and egg ensures a thick, crunchy crust that stays crisp.
Baking Option for Less Oil: Spraying the onions with cooking spray before baking helps them crisp up beautifully without deep frying.
Choose the Right Onion: Sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla give the best flavor balance—mild, slightly sweet, and perfect for snacking.

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