What can I say these little silver pearls of goodness just simply melt in your mouth? I made a beef stew using a portion of the pearl onions. I then got the bright idea to use the remaining onions to make mini crispy blooming onions. What a brilliant idea I came up with to use the rest of the onions. First of all, who doesn’t love blooming onions from the Outback Steakhouse? The Outback Steakhouse offers a delicious appetizer that has made their restaurant a big hit.
I’ve had the blooming onion on several occasions at the Outback Steakhouse. The blooming onion is such a crispy fun appetizer to eat. I love eating blooming onions at Outback but I hate all the calories they contain. Who wants all of those calories landing on your hips and around your waist? Definitely not me.
You can eat a few blooming onions and you don’t have to feel guilty about all the calories. Plus they are fun to look at and fun to share.
Honestly, I love the fact that you can pop these little babies in your mouth. However, because they are so small they are difficult to work with. The cipollini onion is a bit larger than the pearl onion and it can be found in your local produce section. The cipollini onion is much easier to work with. Both onions work well. Make sure you use a sharp knife and take your time when slicing the onions.
Steps to prepping the onions for frying:
- Remove the skin from the onions. Using a sharp knife slice through the onion to make at least 6 to 7 sections without cutting all the way through the onion. Place the onions in a bowl of cold water to help them open up.
- Season the flour with spices: garlic powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper
- Thoroughly mix the spices into the flour.
- Take a few onions at a time and place them in the flour mixture. Try to get as much flour into each of the onion petals.
- Transfer the lightly seasoned onions to the egg mixture and coat the onion throughout. Return the onions back to the flour mixture for a second coating. This helps the batter to stick to the onions.
- Place all the onions in a prepared dish and chill for 10 minutes before frying. This allows the batter to set before frying.
Subscribe to The Crafty Boomer for the next post to be delivered right to your INBOX!
These little beauties are well worth the work, and they taste delicious. Deep-fry the mini crispy blooming onions until golden brown. If you are looking for another easy appetizer check out Crispy Spinach Artichoke Wontons you’ll love that appetizer as well. In fact, you might want to try the Cheesy Taco Dip for another easy appetizer.
- FOR THE ONIONS
- 8 ounces bag pearl onions
- 1 cup flour
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Enough vegetable oil to deep fry the onions
- BLOOMING ONION DIPPING SAUCE
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons hot sauce (more or less to taste)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper to taste
- Remove the skin from the onions. Using a sharp knife slice through the onion to make at least 6 to 7 sections without cutting all the way through the onion. Place the onions in a bowl of cold water to help them open up.
- Season the flour with spices: garlic powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Thoroughly mix the spices into the flour.
- Take a few of the onions and place them in the flour mixture. Try to get as much flour into each of the onion petals.
- Transfer the lightly seasoned onions to the egg mixture and coat the onion throughout. Return the onions back to the flour mixture for a second coating. This helps the batter to stick to the onions.
- Once all the onions have been coated, place all the onions in a prepared dish and chill for 10 minutes before frying. This allows the batter to set before frying.
- Use a deep fryer or a large skillet heat the oil to 350 degrees. Fry the onions in batches, until they are golden brown.
- Place the mini crispy blooming onions on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- MAKE THE MINI CRISPY BLOOMING DIPPING SAUCE: In a medium bowl mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
********** Pin this recipe for later ************
