Description
This Amazing Blooming Onion recipe is a tasty, oven-baked appetizer featuring a large yellow onion sliced into a flower shape, coated with a flavorful seasoned flour mixture, and baked to golden, crispy perfection. Served with a tangy horseradish dipping sauce, it’s a delightful, healthier alternative to the classic deep-fried blooming onion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
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
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Prepare the onion. Peel the onion and slice off about 1/2 inch from the top, being careful not to cut off the root end to hold the petals together. Place the onion root-side up on a cutting board.
- Cut the onion petals. Make 12-16 evenly spaced cuts from the top down towards the root, stopping about 1/2 inch from the root end, creating petal-like sections without cutting through the bottom.
- Separate the petals. Gently open the cut onion petals with your fingers to loosen them and create the blooming effect.
- Mix the dry coating. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to create a seasoned flour blend.
- Mix the wet coating. In another shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until fully combined.
- Coat the onion with wet mixture. Dip the blooming onion carefully into the milk and egg mixture, making sure all petals are evenly coated. Let any excess drip off.
- Dredge the onion in dry mixture. Next, coat the onion thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each petal is covered. Gently shake off the excess flour.
- Prepare for baking. Place the coated onion on the lined baking sheet and drizzle olive oil evenly over the onion to help achieve a crispy exterior.
- Bake the onion. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the onion is tender inside and golden brown with slightly crispy petals.
- Prepare the dipping sauce. While the onion bakes, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, prepared horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Serve. Remove the blooming onion from the oven and serve immediately alongside the prepared dipping sauce for a flavorful and fun appetizer.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can flip the onion halfway through baking and drizzle additional olive oil on top.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amounts to control the heat level in both the coating and dipping sauce.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk.
- The root end should stay intact to keep the petals together when baking and serving.
- Use a sharp knife for clean cuts when making the petals.
- This recipe is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried blooming onion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: blooming onion, baked blooming onion, appetizer, oven-baked onion, dipping sauce, easy appetizer, party food
