Appetizer Recipe: Classic Blooming Onions

For some people, indulgence is sitting down at the kitchen counter in the middle of the night and chowing down on baked goods of some sort. For others, it involves savory and salty fried goodies; today’s dish is one of the latter. If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to order this appetizer at a restaurant—an entire onion that has been fried in a zesty, beer batter—you’ll appreciate this recipe; if not, you'll be thanking us shortly. We bring you the Bloomin’ Onion!
The presentation of this side dish alone would indicate that it’s really difficult to make, rendering it impossible to try at home, but that’s simply not true! While you do need to gather a fair amount of ingredients if you want maximum flavor and spice, you’re perfectly capable of making this light and refreshing snack (oh, the irony) at home—make it and see if your family members can pick their jaws up off the floor so they can dive in!

Blooming Onion

Serves 8

Ingredients
Batter:

• 3 large, sweet onions
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 24 oz. beer
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• oil, for frying, as needed

Seasoning:

• 2 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Dip:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Take and peel your onion and cut off the top. Place, cut side down, so that the root is facing up.
2. Starting 1/2-inch from the root, make 12-16 vertical slices down through the onion. It’s important not to cut too closely to the root, or it will fall apart.
3. Flip onion over and gently separate “petals” so there’s space between the different slices.
4. In a large bowl, mix your seasoning ingredients together: flour, paprika, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne.
5. In a separate, large bowl, combine your batter ingredients: flour, cornstarch, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
6. Add beer to the batter ingredients and make sure to mix well and incorporate everything.
7. Fill a deep pot, Dutch oven or deep fryer with enough oil for the onions to be able to float. Cook over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 375º F.
8. First dredge your onions in the seasoning, top and bottom, flipping over to get mixture deep into the sliced petals. Shake off excess.
9. Dip onions into batter and make sure to coat thoroughly. Flip over so that the batter drips into the bottom parts that are tricky to cover. Shake off excess.
10. Re-dip in seasoning, sprinkling extra into the cracks, if needed. Shake off excess.
11. Using a slotted spoon, gently lower onions into frying oil and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bottom is golden brown.
12. Flip over and cook the other side for another 2 minutes, or until golden brown.
13. Using the same slotted spoon, remove onions to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season with salt and pepper.
14. In a medium-sized bowl, combine dip ingredients and stir well.
15. Serve onions immediately with dip and enjoy!