Mini Bloomin Onion Recipes

Steps:

• For the onion blossoms: Slice off the tip of each onion and gently peel and remove the outer skin. Turn an onion root-side down and make 4 vertical cuts with a paring knife at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock, leaving the base intact to create petals. Repeat this process for each onion.
• Add about 3 inches of oil to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F over medium heat.
• Whisk together the flour, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, seasoning salt and cayenne in a large bowl or shallow dish. Combine the buttermilk and egg in another large bowl.
• Place the onions in the flour mixture with a spoon, tossing slightly until they are well coated; shake off any excess. Submerge the onions cut-side up in the buttermilk mixture. Drain the onions slightly, then dredge them back in the flour mixture, making sure to coat each petal.
• Carefully place each onion root-side down into the hot oil with a slotted spoon and fry, flipping once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining onions. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm with the dipping sauce.
• For the dipping sauce: Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, horseradish, cayenne, pepper and salt in a small bowl.

Steps:

• Take a small to medium onion and cut the top off (about 1/4th of the onion).
• Peel away the outer skin but leave the root on.
• With a knife cut wedge shapes in it.
• But here's the trick -- take two wooden cooking spoons and rest the onion between them root down.
• Now slice wedges into the onion as you would cut a pizza.
• Doing this keeps the onion together at the base therefore allowing a bloomin onion result.
• Gently (with a knife) separate the sections from one another.
• Fry each one for a minute or so (depends on the size of the onion).
• These small onions will open up quickly and cook quickly so please understand this takes a little practice.
• Once its bloomin take it out of the grease and season it lightly with creole seasoning or cajun spice.
• You could also add remolade or rosette sauce on top to finish it.
• Variation: You can also batter them by mixing 1 cup of Bisquick and 1/2 cup of cornstarch in 2 cups of milk.
• Make a paste first with a little milk before adding all the milk.
• Soak the onions for about 30 minutes then dust them with flour and seasoning.
• Open the onion a little as you do it.
• Let the onions sit at least 5 minutes before frying.

Steps:

• Combine all of the dip ingredients in a bowl, cover and refrigerate.
• Slice the onion (see Cook's Note). Whisk the flour, cayenne, paprika, thyme, oregano, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. In a small deep bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and 1 cup water.
• Place the onion in a separate bowl, cut-side up, and pour all of the flour mixture on top. Cover the bowl with a plate, then shake back and forth to distribute the flour. Check to make sure the onion is fully coated, especially between the "petals." Lift the onion by the core, turn over and pat off the excess flour; reserve the bowl of flour.
• Using a slotted spoon, fully submerge the onion in the egg mixture (spoon on top, if necessary). Remove and let the excess egg drip off, then repeat the flouring process. Refrigerate the onion while you heat the oil.
• Fill a large deep pot with at least 3 inches of the oil, leaving 2 inches of space at the top. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 400 degrees. Pat off excess flour from the onion. Using a wire skimmer, carefully lower the onion into the oil, cut-side down. Adjust the heat so the oil temperature stays close to 350 degrees. Fry about 3 minutes, then turn the onion over and cook until golden, about 3 more minutes; drain on paper towels. Season with salt and serve with the dip.

Steps:

• Make the dipping sauce: Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 dash black pepper, and 1 dash cayenne pepper in a small bowl and refrigerate it until needed.
• Beat egg and combine it with milk in a bowl large enough to hold the onion. In another bowl, combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, and cumin.
• Prepare the onion: cut approximately 3/4 to 1 inch off of the top and bottom of the onion, remove skin. Remove the 1-inch diameter core from the middle of the onion. Using a large, sharp knife, slice down the center of the onion about 3/4 of the way down, turn 90 degrees and slice again. Keep slicing the sections in half, being careful not to cut to the bottom, until you have 16 sections. Spread the petals apart to make coating easier.
• Dip the onion in the milk, then coat well with the flour mixture. Separate the petals again and sprinkle the flour mixture between them. Once you have coated all of the petals well, dip it into the milk and into the flour mixture again. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes while you preheat the oil.
• Pour enough oil to cover the onion into a deep fryer or deep pot. Preheat the oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fry the onion right side up in the oil for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oil and let drain in a rack or paper towels. Open the center of the onion wide so that you can put the small bowl of dipping sauce in the center.