Onion Petals With Spicy Dipping Sauce (Printable Version)

Crispy golden-fried onion petals blooming like flowers, served with bold zesty dipping sauce. Perfect shareable appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ For the Onion Petals

01 - 2 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia)
02 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1 cup buttermilk
04 - 2 eggs
05 - 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
10 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ For the Spicy Dipping Sauce

12 - ½ cup mayonnaise
13 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
14 - 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
17 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
18 - ½ teaspoon hot sauce
19 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Cut off the stem end and peel each onion. Place the root side down and make vertical cuts from top to bottom, leaving the root intact, to create 8–12 petals per onion. Gently separate the petals to bloom the onion.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and eggs until combined.
04 - Dip each onion into the flour mixture, ensuring all petals are coated. Shake off excess flour.
05 - Submerge the floured onion into the buttermilk-egg mixture, then return it to the flour mixture, coating thoroughly for a crispier crust.
06 - Heat 2–3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
07 - Fry onions, one at a time, cut side down first, for 3–4 minutes. Turn and fry an additional 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
08 - Mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
09 - Serve the hot onion petals with the spicy dipping sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The double coating technique creates that shatteringly crisp exterior that makes restaurant blooming onions so addictive
  • Sweet onions transform into something entirely different, losing all harshness and becoming golden, caramelized petals
  • The spicy dipping sauce pulls everything together with just enough kick to keep you coming back
02 -
  • Working quickly when separating the onion petals prevents them from falling apart before they hit the oil
  • Maintaining oil temperature at exactly 350°F prevents soggy, greasy results
  • The double coating process is not optional, it's the difference between good and incredible
  • Serving immediately is crucial because they lose their signature crunch as they sit
03 -
  • Letting the floured onions rest for 10 minutes before the second coating helps the flour adhere better
  • The sauce benefits from an hour in the refrigerator to let all the flavors meld together
  • If you're feeding a crowd, fry the onions in batches and keep them warm in a 200°F oven
Go Back