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Plate of bite-sized blooming onions served with dipping sauce

Bite-Sized Blooming Onions

These Bite-Sized Blooming Onions are crispy, golden morsels made from sweet onions, coated with gluten-free flour and panko, perfect for sharing as a snack or appetizer.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Gluten-Free
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 large sweet onions Vidalia or Walla Walla if available
  • 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend Choose a blend formulated for frying
  • 1 teaspoon paprika For warmth and color
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder Gentle savory note
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder Boosts onion flavor
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjustable heat
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine salt For seasoning the dredge
  • 1 cup buttermilk Full-fat or dairy-free cultured buttermilk
  • 2 cups gluten-free panko breadcrumbs Rice- or corn-based for flaky crunch
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying Neutral oils like canola or avocado oil
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise Plain or olive oil/avocado oil-based
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup For sweetness and tang
  • 1 teaspoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce Check the label
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish Optional
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika For depth in the sauce
  • 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder Extra note for sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste For finishing the sauce
Optional Add-ons
  • Fresh chopped parsley or chives For garnish
  • Lemon wedges For a bright counterpoint
  • Grated Parmesan or dairy-free alternative For extra savory touch
  • 1 pinch sugar In the dredge for sweet onions
  • Pickled jalapeños or dill pickle relish For a tangy contrast

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Peel the onions and trim the ends so they sit flat. Cut each onion into bite-sized petals or wedges.
  2. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel to help the coating adhere.
Dredging Station Setup
  1. In Bowl 1: Whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
  2. In Bowl 2: Pour buttermilk, whisk in hot sauce or extra salt if desired.
  3. In Bowl 3: Place gluten-free panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish, mix in some seasoned flour for extra crispiness if desired.
Coating
  1. Dredge each onion petal in seasoned flour, dip in buttermilk, then coat in panko breadcrumbs.
  2. Place coated pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Frying
  1. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a heavy pot to a depth of 2-3 inches.
  2. Fry onion petals in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crisp, turning if needed.
  3. Transfer fried pieces to a rack and sprinkle with salt while hot.
Dipping Sauce
  1. Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Chill for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Serving
  1. Arrange Bite-Sized Blooming Onions on a platter with the dipping sauce in a bowl.
  2. Sprinkle with parsley or chives and serve warm.

Notes

For a baked option, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake coated onion pieces for 12-18 minutes until golden. Can also be air-fried at 400°F (200°C) for 8-12 minutes.