If you love the classic blooming onion, you’re going to love these Blooming Onion Bites! They’re crispy, golden, and packed with bold flavors—perfect for game day, parties, or anytime you’re craving a crunchy snack.
Instead of dealing with a whole onion, this recipe turns them into easy, bite-sized pieces that cook quickly and are perfect for dipping. Pair them with a creamy, zesty sauce for an irresistible appetizer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Crispy & Crunchy – The perfect bite-sized snack with a satisfying crunch.
✔️ Easy to Make – No need to carve a whole blooming onion!
✔️ Great for Sharing – Perfect for parties, game nights, or family gatherings.
✔️ Customizable – Make them spicy, gluten-free, or air-fry them!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Onion Bites:
- 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Zesty Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp horseradish
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Onions
- Peel and cut the onions into bite-sized pieces, keeping them as uniform as possible for even cooking.
- Place them in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes (this helps reduce the strong onion flavor). Drain and pat dry.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading Stations
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk.
- In a third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Coat the Onion Bites
- Toss the onion pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip them into the buttermilk-egg mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Roll them in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 4: Fry to Perfection
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the onion bites in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 5: Make the Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and chill until serving.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve the crispy Blooming Onion Bites with the zesty dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Onion Bites
✔️ Use Sweet Onions: They give the best flavor and aren’t too sharp.
✔️ Double-Coat for Extra Crunch: A second dip in the flour and breadcrumbs makes them even crispier.
✔️ Keep the Oil Hot: Maintain 350°F (175°C) for perfectly crispy bites.
✔️ Air-Fryer Option: Spray coated bites with oil and air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
What to Serve with Blooming Onion Bites?
🍔 Burgers & Sliders – Perfect for a party spread.
🍺 Cold Beer or Iced Tea – A refreshing pairing.
🥗 Crisp Salad – For a balanced meal.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes or air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 3-4 minutes to crisp them back up.
Blooming Onion Bites
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These crunchy, bite-sized blooming onion bites are perfect for dipping! Easy, golden, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
For the Onion Bites:
- 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Zesty Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp horseradish
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Onions
- Peel and cut the onions into bite-sized pieces, keeping them as uniform as possible for even cooking.
- Place them in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes (this helps reduce the strong onion flavor). Drain and pat dry.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading Stations
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk.
- In a third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Coat the Onion Bites
- Toss the onion pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip them into the buttermilk-egg mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Roll them in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 4: Fry to Perfection
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the onion bites in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 5: Make the Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and chill until serving.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve the crispy Blooming Onion Bites with the zesty dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- ✔️ Use Sweet Onions: They give the best flavor and aren’t too sharp.
- ✔️ Double-Coat for Extra Crunch: A second dip in the flour and breadcrumbs makes them even crispier.
- ✔️ Keep the Oil Hot: Maintain 350°F (175°C) for perfectly crispy bites.
- ✔️ Air-Fryer Option: Spray coated bites with oil and air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Keywords: crispy onion bites, blooming onion, onion appetizer, crispy snacks, party food, zesty dipping sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Bread the onion bites and store them in the fridge for up to 4 hours before frying.
Can I bake them instead of frying?
Yes! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Are they gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
