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Blooming Onion with Zesty Dipping Sauce

A crunchy, comforting Blooming Onion served with a tangy zesty dipping sauce, perfect for sharing at gatherings and cozy dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Onion
  • 1 large sweet onion Choose a firm, large onion so the 'bloom' opens nicely.
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g) Use a light scoop for fluffier coating.
  • 1 tsp paprika (3 g) Adds a warm color and mild smoke.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (3 g) Fresh garlic gives it an extra flavor boost, but powder keeps things easy.
  • 1 tsp salt (6 g) Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (1 g)
  • 2 pieces eggs Room temperature helps the batter cling better.
  • 1 cup milk (240 ml) Whole milk makes the batter richer.
  • 3 cups vegetable oil for frying (720 ml) Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point.
For the Dipping Sauce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 g) Full-fat for creaminess.
  • 2 tbsp ketchup (30 ml)
  • 1 tsp horseradish (5 ml) Adds a bright, zesty kick.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Peel the onion, then slice from top to bottom into 8–12 even sections, stopping about 1/2 inch from the base so it holds together. Gently spread the petals so it looks like a flower.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Beat the eggs with the milk in a separate bowl until smooth.
  4. Dip the onion into the egg mixture, turning it to ensure it gets between the petals. Let the excess drip off.
  5. Dredge the onion thoroughly in the seasoned flour, ensuring each petal gets a good coat. Shake off the extra flour.
Frying
  1. Warm the oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Lower the onion carefully into the hot oil, base first, and fry for 6–8 minutes until golden and crisp.
Sauce Preparation
  1. While the onion fries, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and horseradish until smooth and tangy.
Serving
  1. Drain the blooming onion on paper towels, place it on a platter, and spoon the zesty sauce into the center for dipping. Enjoy immediately while it’s hot and crunchy.

Notes

For a smoky version, add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and a dash of cayenne. You can also store leftover pieces in the fridge for up to 2 days.