Blooming Onion

This Blooming Onion is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just like the appetizer at Outback Steakhouse. Find out how to make a Bloomin’ Onion in the comfort of your own home!

If you’ve ever had a blooming onion, you know how irresistible it is. Crispy on the outside and seasoned to perfection, it’s totally irresistible (and far better than onion rings in my opinion!).

You can make it at home with a little bit of effort, so let’s get started with everything you need to know here!

What is A Blooming Onion?

A Blooming Onion (also called a Bloomin’ Onion) is a popular appetizer originating at Outback Steakhouse, where it quickly became a mainstay of the menu. It consists of a whole onion that has been cut to resemble a flower, battered, and deep-fried until crispy.

The dish is typically served with a dipping sauce, such as a spicy mayo or a creamy horseradish sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• large onion (yellow or white)
• all-purpose flour
• spices: paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, oregano
• salt and pepper
• eggs
• milk
• vegetable oil for frying

In addition, you’ll want to have your favorite dipping sauce for serving. Options might include ketchup, Chipotle, Thousand Island sauce.

How to Make a Blooming Onion

Making your own blooming onion starts with cutting the onion itself.

How to Cut an Onion for Blooming Onion

You’ll need a large white onion to get started. Follow these steps to make an onion blossom:

1) Cut off ½ inch from the pointy stem end of the onion while leaving the other end of root intact, which is important for holding it together. Then remove the papery skin.

2) Position the onion cut-side down and root-side up on a cutting board. With a sharp knife and starting ¾ inch from the root, make a downward cut all the way through to the board.

3) Repeat and cutting vertical slices around the onion about 1/4″ apart at the root, try to make cuts evenly and avoiding overlapping with the previous cut. You will get about 12 to 16 vertical cuts depending on the size of your onion.

4) Turn the onion over and gently spread the “petals” of the onion apart. Open from the outside and working towards the center. If any cuts break off during this process, just remove them. Don’t worry and it happens often. Once complete, it should look like an onion flower.

Note: 1) Buy the largest white onion you can find at your local grocery store. 2) In case your onion doesn’t open enough after the cut, you can place it in cold water for about 1 hour to help them open. Make sure to drain it well and use paper towel to pat dry.

Making the Batter

Prepare two separate medium-large bowls (larger than the size of your onion). In one bowl, combine flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper, then mix well. In the other bowl, beat eggs, add milk and mix well to make egg wash.

Dipping the Onion

Double-dipping process is the secret to getting the best crispy texture of the blooming onion. It takes a few more minutes, but you will agree that it’s totally worth the effort! Here is how to do it right:

First, place your onion flower cut-side up into the bowl with the flour mixture. Spoon the drying coating between the cuts. Once the onion is fully coated, lift the onion and turn over to shake off the excess. Reserve the flour mixture.

Then dip the onion cut-side up into the bowl with egg wash, and submerge the onion completely. You can spoon the mixture onto the onion to make sure it’s thoroughly coated with the batter. For the best result, let the onion soak in the batter for 10 minutes.

Lift the onion and let the excess egg wash drip off and place it cut-side up into the flour mixture bowl one more time.  Coat it with dry coating again. This process makes sure all that great stuff clinging to the onion turns into deliciously crispy bits by the time it’s finished cooking.

After finishing the dipping process, you can lift the onion and place it on a plate. Freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour.  It’ll solidify and hold together better while cooking.

Deep Frying

Heat oil in a medium-sized deep pot or deep fryer to 350°F (make sure there is enough oil to cover your onion completely). Take precautions since this is hot oil — use a large slotted spoon or tongs to move the onion slowly into the oil, cut-side down. Make sure the temperature stays close to 350°F.

Fry for about 3 – 4 minutes, and turn the onion over. Fry another 3 – 4 minutes until the onion has turned golden brown. It’s about 7-8 minutes total to get your onion fully cooked.  Remove it from the oil and place it on paper towels to drain off the excess oil.

How to Make Blooming Onion Sauce

If you like the signature dipping sauce from Outback, here is a really easy way to replicate it: Mix together Thousand Island dressing and creamy horseradish sauce. Adjust the amount of horseradish depending on how spicy you’d like your sauce to be. You can also mix in some ketchup as you like.

Tips for Making the Perfect Blooming Onion

1. Use a large, sweet onion variety such as Vidalias, which have a mild flavor and are easy to cut.
2. Cut the onion correctly, taking care not to cut through the bottom.
3. Soak the onion in cold water for at least an hour before battering to help it bloom.
4. Freezing the onion after battering is helpful to hold the onion together during frying.
5. Deep fry at 350°F (175°C) and keep the oil temperature constant for the best results.
6. Serve immediately, as blooming onions are best when freshly prepared.

How to Store Blooming Onion

Storing a blooming onion can be a bit tricky because it can quickly lose its crispy texture and become soggy if not stored properly. To start, let it cool completely. Then wrap tightly with plastic wrap, squeezing out air. Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat Leftover Blooming Onion

The best way to reheat a blooming onion is on a baking sheet in the oven at 375°F. It should get somewhat crispy again after about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which will make it soggy.

How Long Does Homemade Blooming Onion Last?

Homemade blooming onion can last for up to 3-4 days if stored properly in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

How to Serve Blooming Onion

To serve a blooming onion, place it on a large plate and use your fingertips to gently pry it open from the center. Then place a small bowl of dipping sauce in the center. Serve warm.