Soft Boil Stories

Tag: Outback blooming onion copycat

  • Blooming Onion (The Outback Classic, Made at Home)

    Blooming Onion (The Outback Classic, Made at Home)

    You know the one. The giant fried onion that arrives at the table and everyone gasps.

    This blooming onion is that. Crispy, golden petals. A sweet, tender center. And that iconic dipping sauce that’s creamy, smoky, and just a little spicy. It looks impressive. It tastes even better. And yes, you can absolutely make it at home without a deep fryer.

    Ingredients

    Serves 4 as an appetizer.

    • 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or Walla Walla)
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ cup milk
    • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

    For the Dipping Sauce:

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons horseradish (or to taste)
    • 1 tablespoon ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Cut the Onion

    1. Slice off the top (not the root end). Peel the onion.
    2. Place root-side up. Cut down into the onion, leaving ½ inch from the root. Make 4 cuts, then 8, then 12. Petals will fall open.
    3. Gently separate the petals with your fingers.

    Step 2: Soak

    1. Place onion in a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes. This helps petals open and removes sharpness.
    2. Drain and pat dry.

    Step 3: Season the Flour

    1. In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
    2. In another bowl, whisk eggs and milk.

    Step 4: Coat the Onion

    1. Dredge onion in flour mixture (get between petals). Shake off excess.
    2. Dip in egg mixture, then back into flour mixture for a second coat.

    Step 5: Fry

    1. Heat 3 inches of oil to 375°F (190°C).
    2. Place onion root-side down in oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, rotating carefully.
    3. Flip and fry another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
    4. Drain on paper towels.

    Step 6: Make the Sauce

    1. Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
    2. Serve onion with sauce on the side (or in the center).

    Summary

    Prep Time: 20 minutes + 30 minutes soak | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour

    Yield: 1 blooming onion

    Difficulty: Medium

    Storage Notes

    • Leftovers? Honestly, blooming onions don’t reheat well. They get sad and soggy.
    • Make ahead: Cut the onion and refrigerate in water for up to 4 hours. Fry fresh.
    • Sauce: Dipping sauce keeps in the fridge for 1 week.
    • Pro tip: This is a fry-and-eat-immediately situation. Plan accordingly.