Onion petals with spicy sauce (Printable)

Crispy fried onion petals served with a bold, zesty dipping sauce for a shareable snack.

# What You Need:

→ Onion Petals

01 - 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia preferred)
02 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1 cup buttermilk
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
10 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 - Vegetable oil for deep frying (2–3 inches)

→ Spicy Dipping Sauce

12 - ½ cup mayonnaise
13 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
14 - 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
17 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
18 - ½ teaspoon hot sauce
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Trim stem ends and peel onions. Position root side down and slice vertically into 8–12 petals, keeping root intact. Gently separate petals to bloom.
02 - Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl and whisk thoroughly.
03 - Whisk together buttermilk and eggs until fully blended in a separate bowl.
04 - Dip each onion into the seasoned flour, ensuring all petals are coated evenly. Shake off excess flour.
05 - Submerge floured onions into the buttermilk-egg blend, then dip back into the flour mixture for a double coating to enhance crispness.
06 - Warm 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
07 - Fry onions one at a time, cut side down first, for 3–4 minutes. Flip and fry an additional 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
08 - Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Chill until serving.
09 - Plate hot onion petals with the spicy dipping sauce on the side for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're absurdly crispy on the outside and impossibly tender inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the onion.
  • That spicy dipping sauce hits different—it's tangy, bold, and makes even the simplest bite feel like an event.
  • Once you master the blooming technique, you'll find yourself making these for every gathering, game night, and casual dinner.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than anything else—if your oil isn't hot enough, you'll end up with soggy, oil-logged petals instead of crispy ones, so invest in a reliable thermometer.
  • Don't overcrowd the pot; fry one onion at a time so the oil temperature stays consistent and each bloom gets the attention it deserves.
03 -
  • Keep your oil at 350°F throughout the entire frying process—even a 10-degree drop will change the texture of your final result, so monitor it between batches.
  • If you're nervous about deep frying, an air fryer can work in a pinch, though you won't get quite the same golden-brown exterior; spray your blooms lightly with oil before air frying at 380°F for about 12 minutes.
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