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Bite-Sized Blooming Onions Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

Bite-Sized Blooming Onions transform sweet onions into crispy, crunchy, golden brown petals that are perfect for snacking or serving as a flavorful appetizer. Using a seasoned flour coating and your choice of frying, air frying, or baking, these onion bites offer a delicious, layered texture and bold savory taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions

  • 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), peeled and cut into quarters or sixths

Coating

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend as substitute)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk plus 1 tsp vinegar/lemon juice for vegan option)
  • 2 eggs (optional, to help coating stick better, especially if skipping buttermilk)

Cooking Oil

  • Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil for frying (high smoke point recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Onions: Choose sweet onions like Vidalia or yellow. Peel and trim both ends. Cut the onion into quarters or sixths, depending on size, then carefully separate each onion layer into individual “petals.” These serve as your bite-sized onion pieces.
  2. Buttermilk Soak: Place the onion petals into a bowl filled with buttermilk. Soak for at least 30 minutes; this tenderizes the onions, mellows sharpness, and helps the coating adhere. For a vegan substitute, mix plant-based milk with 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice before soaking.
  3. Seasoned Dredging: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Dip each soaked onion petal first into the flour mixture, then back into the buttermilk, and once again into the flour mixture. For added crunch, roll the petals in panko breadcrumbs after the second flour coat.
  4. Cooking Method Selection: Choose your preferred cooking method. For deep frying, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry onion petals in small batches 2–3 minutes until golden; drain on paper towels. For air frying, preheat to 400°F (200°C), lightly spray coated onions with oil, and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. For oven baking, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C), arrange onions on a baking rack over a sheet pan, spray with oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes until crisp and golden.
  5. Serve: Once cooked, serve the bite-sized blooming onions hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy their crispy texture and bold flavors!

Notes

  • Sweet onions like Vidalia or yellow onions work best for mildness and crispiness.
  • Use high smoke point oil such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for frying to avoid smoking.
  • Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch but can be omitted or substituted with regular breadcrumbs.
  • Buttermilk tenderizes onions and improves coating adhesion; plant-based milk with vinegar works for vegan versions.
  • The triple dredging process ensures a thick, crispy crust.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your heat preference.
  • Cooking times vary slightly depending on onion size and appliance, so check doneness accordingly.

Keywords: blooming onions, bite-sized onion bites, crispy onion petals, fried onions, appetizer, snack, air fryer onion bites, oven-baked onion petals

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/bite-sized-blooming-onions-recipe/