Description
Awesome Blossom Onion Bites offer a deliciously crispy and flavorful twist on the classic blooming onion appetizer. These bite-sized onion pieces are coated in a seasoned batter and fried to golden perfection, served alongside a tangy horseradish dipping sauce. Easier to make and less messy than a whole blooming onion, this recipe balances the sweetness of onions with a spicy, creamy dip for an addictive snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Dipping Sauce
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
Onion Bites
- 2 cups diced onions
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups vegetable oil, or as needed for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ketchup, and horseradish. Taste the mixture and season with cayenne pepper according to your preference. Once mixed, refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve.
- Optional Onion Salting: Place the diced onions in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Cover the bowl and let it stand for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture from the onions. After this resting time, transfer the onions to a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Allow them to drain for about 5 minutes before transferring to a dry bowl.
- Make the Batter: Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cornmeal, flour, and baking powder to the onions in the dry bowl. Stir well to combine all dry ingredients. Pour in the milk and mix until a very thick batter forms. Let the batter sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow it to thicken properly before frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-duty skillet to a depth of about 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C). To test if the oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter into the oil; if it bubbles vigorously, the oil has reached the correct temperature. Line a plate with paper towels to drain the fried bites once cooked.
- Fry the Onion Bites: Using a spoon, carefully drop rounded tablespoons of batter into the hot oil. Fry each batch until the bites are nicely browned and crispy on one side (about 3 minutes), then flip and fry the other side for an additional 3 minutes. Once golden and crispy, remove the bites using a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Continue frying the remaining batter in batches. Keep cooked onion bites warm in the oven if needed. Serve the crispy onion bites hot with the prepared dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Salting the onions and rinsing them helps remove excess moisture and results in a better texture.
- Use a thermometer or a small test batter drop to ensure the oil is at the correct frying temperature (350°F / 180°C).
- Cook bites in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet, which can lower the oil temperature and make them greasy.
- You can keep onion bites warm in a low oven while frying remaining batches.
- The nutritional values account for an estimated 10% oil absorption during frying, which may vary based on frying time and technique.
