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.

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Blooming Onion Recipe

This mouthwatering Blooming Onion is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, rivaling that of Outback Steakhouse. I will share with you the secrets to make this impressive-looking appetizer so you’ll want to make it again and again… Plus video recipe tutorial!

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Resting Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 large sweet onion, Vidalia or similar
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2 tablespoons paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• ▢ salt and pepper, to taste
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups milk
• ▢ 1 quart vegetable oil, or canola, sunflower, peanut or similar
• ▢ Chipotle, Thousand Island or other dipping sauce, optional

Instructions 

• In a medium bowl, combine flour, spices, salt and pepper. Reserve.
• In another medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until combined. Set aside.
• Cut off ½-inch from the pointy end of the onion while leaving the other end of root intact. Then remove the papery skin.
• Place the onion cut-side down on a cutting board. Starting ¾-inch from the root, cut vertically downward all the way to the board using a sharp knife.
• Repeat vertical cuts downward about 1/2-inch apart on the edge, taking care not to overlap with previous cuts. You should get 10-15 cuts in total.
• Turn the onion over and gently open up the “petals” of the onion with your fingers until it resembles a flower. Set aside.
• Dip the onion into reserved flour mixture to cover completely. Then gently shake off excess flour.
• Gently dip into reserved egg mixture to cover completely. For best results, let the onion soak in the batter for 10 minutes.
• Return onion to the flour mixture one more time and cover completely.
• Place the onion on a plate and freeze for 30-60 min to set.
• Fill a deep fryer or medium saucepan with 3 inches of oil and heat to 350°F. Line a plate with paper towel and set aside.
• Fry onion for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Then turn it over using a slotted spoon and cook several minutes more until golden brown.
• Remove onion to a prepared plate. Serve with optional dipping sauce and enjoy!

Equipment

Deep Fryer

Slotted Spoon

Wire Rack

Notes

• You’ll find it helpful to watch the video for this recipe before making it.
• For the dipping sauce, you can mix Thousand Island dressing with creamy horseradish sauce, adjusting the amount of horseradish depending on how much heat you want.

Nutrition Facts

Blooming Onion Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

267

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

20

g

31

%

Saturated Fat

 

3

g

15

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

10

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

7

g

Cholesterol

 

27

mg

9

%

Sodium

 

21

mg

1

%

Potassium

 

194

mg

6

%

Carbohydrates

 

20

g

7

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

3

g

3

%

Net Carbs

 

18

g

36

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

2300

IU

46

%

Vitamin C

 

5

mg

6

%

Calcium

 

40

mg

4

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

Author: Cindy

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bloomin onion, Blooming Onion

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