Bloomin' Onion Bites
Bloomin' Onion Bites
Ingredients
For the Onion Bites
- 2 yellow onions, medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rings
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, large
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
For the Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or a pinch, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the onions: Separate the onion rings and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. In another medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Dredge the onions: Dip each onion ring first into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Place the coated onion rings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Repeat with all onion rings.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Chill the onions: Transfer the baking sheet with the coated onion rings to the refrigerator and chill for at least 15 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better during frying.
⏱️ 15 min
- 4
Prepare the dipping sauce: While the onions are chilling, combine all dipping sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and salt) in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Heat the oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 6
Fry the onion bites: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, carefully add a handful of coated onion rings to the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally. Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy onion bites.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 350
- 7
Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the fried onion bites from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Season lightly with a pinch of salt immediately after frying. Repeat with the remaining onion rings. Serve hot with the prepared dipping sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Bloomin' Onion Bites
For the Onion Bites
- 2 yellow onions, medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rings
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, large
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
For the Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or a pinch, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the onions: Separate the onion rings and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. In another medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Dredge the onions: Dip each onion ring first into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Place the coated onion rings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Repeat with all onion rings.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Chill the onions: Transfer the baking sheet with the coated onion rings to the refrigerator and chill for at least 15 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better during frying.
⏱️ 15 min - 4
Prepare the dipping sauce: While the onions are chilling, combine all dipping sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and salt) in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Heat the oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 6
Fry the onion bites: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, carefully add a handful of coated onion rings to the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally. Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy onion bites.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 350 - 7
Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the fried onion bites from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Season lightly with a pinch of salt immediately after frying. Repeat with the remaining onion rings. Serve hot with the prepared dipping sauce.
⏱️ 2 min