Amazing Blooming Onion in the Oven Recipe

Introduction

The amazing blooming onion is a fun and flavorful appetizer that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make at home. This oven-baked version offers a crispy, tender onion “flower” served with a zesty dipping sauce. It’s perfect for sharing and a great crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 large egg

For the dipping sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Peel the onion and cut off about 1/2 inch from the top, but do not cut off the root end. Place the onion root-side up on the baking sheet.
3. Step 3: Make 12-16 vertical cuts from the top towards the root, stopping about 1/2 inch from the root to create even petals.
4. Step 4: Gently separate and loosen the onion petals to open up the “bloom.”
5. Step 5: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
6. Step 6: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until combined.
7. Step 7: Dip the onion into the milk and egg mixture, coating all petals well, and let excess drip off.
8. Step 8: Dredge the onion in the flour mixture, ensuring each petal is thoroughly coated. Shake off any excess.
9. Step 9: Place the coated onion on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle the olive oil over it evenly.
10. Step 10: Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the onion is tender and golden brown, and the petals turn slightly crispy.
11. Step 11: While baking, prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
12. Step 12: Serve the blooming onion hot, accompanied by the dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add more cayenne pepper to both the coating and dipping sauce.
• Try adding a teaspoon of dried herbs like oregano or thyme to the flour mixture for extra flavor.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, broil the onion for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Storage

Store any leftover blooming onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness. The dipping sauce can be refrigerated separately for up to a week.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of onions?

Yes, large sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla also work well because they have a mild flavor and large size for easy cutting.

Can I make the dipping sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely. The dipping sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This actually helps the flavors meld nicely.

Amazing Blooming Onion in the Oven Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 130 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Amazing Blooming Onion recipe transforms a simple yellow onion into a crispy, golden-baked appetizer that resembles a blooming flower. Coated in a flavorful spiced batter and baked to perfection, it’s served with a tangy horseradish dipping sauce that complements the sweet and savory notes of the onion. Perfect for entertaining or a fun snack, this healthier oven-baked version skips the deep frying while still delivering big flavor and satisfying crunch.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Blooming Onion

• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 large egg

Dipping Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
2. Prepare onion: Peel the onion and cut off about 1/2 inch from the top, keeping the root end intact as it will hold the onion together when sliced. Place the onion root-side up on a cutting board.
3. Cut onion petals: Using a sharp knife, make 12 to 16 evenly spaced vertical cuts from the top of the onion down toward the root, stopping about 1/2 inch from the bottom to avoid cutting through the root. These cuts create the ‘petals’ of the blooming onion.
4. Separate petals: Gently pull apart and loosen the onion petals without detaching them, allowing the onion to open like a flower.
5. Mix dry coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
6. Mix wet coating: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until combined.
7. Dip onion in wet mixture: Submerge the onion into the milk and egg mixture, carefully coating all petals. Let excess drip off to avoid clumping.
8. Dredge onion in dry mixture: Transfer the wet-coated onion into the flour mixture and thoroughly coat all petals, then gently shake off the excess flour mixture.
9. Prepare for baking: Place the coated onion on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the entire onion to help it crisp and brown during baking.
10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the onion is tender inside and the outside petals are crispy and golden brown.
11. Make dipping sauce: While the onion bakes, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl and whisk until smooth and well combined.
12. Serve: Remove the blooming onion from the oven and serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

Notes

• For a spicier version, increase the cayenne pepper in the coating and dipping sauce.
• Use a very sharp knife to cut the onion petals to avoid tearing.
• Make sure the onion is thoroughly coated for maximum crispiness.
• Allow the onion to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning.
• This recipe is a great healthier alternative to traditionally deep-fried blooming onion.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: blooming onion, oven baked onion, healthy blooming onion, appetizer recipe, horseradish dipping sauce