Description
These crispy Bloomin’ Onion Bites are the perfect party appetizer! Made with bite-sized pieces of onion coated in a seasoned batter and fried to golden perfection, served with a tangy dipping sauce. A fun twist on the classic bloomin’ onion that’s easy to share!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- For the Onion Bites:
- 2 large sweet onions (like Vidalia)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp horseradish
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- 1. Prepare the onions: Peel the onions and cut them into 1-inch thick slices. Separate the slices into individual rings.
- 2. Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg until smooth.
- 4. Dredge the onion rings: Dip each onion ring first in the flour mixture, then in the buttermilk mixture, then back in the flour mixture. Shake off excess and place on a plate.
- 5. Heat oil: In a deep fryer or large pot, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
- 6. Fry the onions: Working in batches, fry the onion bites for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- 7. Make the sauce: While onions fry, mix all dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
- 8. Serve hot with the dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
For extra crispiness, let the coated onion rings rest for 10 minutes before frying. You can bake these at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes for a lighter version, but they won’t be as crispy.