Blooming Onion Bites with Dipping Sauce

Blooming Onion Bites with Dipping Sauce is a bite-sized version of the popular Bloomin’ Onion appetizer. They’re crispy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping in a tangy sauce. Here’s a simple recipe for both the onion bites and the dipping sauce:

Ingredients:

For the Onion Bites:

• 2 large yellow or sweet onions
• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: a few dashes of hot sauce for heat

Instructions:

For the Dipping Sauce:

1. Mix the ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (if using).
2. Season to taste: Add salt and pepper as needed. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

For the Onion Bites:

1. Prepare the onions:
   • Peel the onions and slice them into bite-sized chunks or petals. Make sure the pieces are uniform so they cook evenly.
2. Soak the onions:
   • Place the onion pieces in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk (or milk) to soak for about 20-30 minutes. This will help the flour coating stick better and make the onions tender.
3. Prepare the coating:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.
4. Heat the oil:
   • In a deep fryer or large skillet, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
5. Coat the onions:
   • Remove the onion pieces from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge the onion pieces in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure they are well-coated.
6. Fry the onion bites:
   • Carefully drop the coated onion pieces into the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until they’re golden brown and crispy.
   • Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a little extra salt while they’re hot.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the crispy Blooming Onion Bites with the prepared dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!

These bites are great as an appetizer or party snack, especially with the zesty dipping sauce to complement the crunchy onion flavor.