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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Separate petals: Gently pull apart and loosen the onion petals without detaching them, allowing the onion to open like a flower.
- Mix dry coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Mix wet coating: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until combined.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
