Crispy Mini Bloomin Onions (Print Version)
Golden, bite-sized bloomin onions battered and fried until crisp, served warm with smoky horseradish mayo.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 12 small yellow onions (golf-ball size)
→ Batter
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Wet Mixture
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ For Frying
12 - Vegetable oil for deep frying
→ Dipping Sauce
13 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
14 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
15 - 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
16 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt to taste
19 - Black pepper to taste
# How to Cook:
01 - Peel each onion and trim just enough of the root so it stands upright. Make four evenly spaced vertical cuts downwards, keeping the base intact. Rotate and make four additional cuts between the first set. Gently separate petals with your fingers.
02 - Submerge cut onions in ice water for 10 minutes to encourage petals to open. Drain thoroughly and pat onions dry with paper towels.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until evenly blended.
04 - In another bowl, beat eggs with whole milk until fully incorporated.
05 - Dredge each onion in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Submerge in egg mixture, then coat in flour mixture again. Press petals to ensure even coverage.
06 - Bring vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot.
07 - Fry onions in batches, placing them cut side down for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue frying for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
08 - In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
09 - Serve mini bloomin' onions warm, accompanied by dipping sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These mini onions turn any gathering into a lively event—everyone wants to grab one.
- The crispy coating and zesty sauce are a quick way to impress without complicated prep.
02 -
- If the onions aren't dried well after soaking, the coating will never stick properly and it all slides off when frying.
- Frying in small batches keeps the oil temperature steady, so every bloom crisps up uniformly—don't crowd the pot.
03 -
- Wearing kitchen gloves for slicing onions keeps your hands tear-free and safe.
- A thermapen or instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of frying temperature for perfect blooms every time.