This year we’re bringing back our Baby Bloomin’ Onions. These things are admittedly a bit of a pain in the butt to make, but they’re SUCH a crowd pleaser and always a show stopper. It’s a great thing to make if that’s the only thing you’re making and the host/hostess is cool with you frying up a storm.
Sure you can go ahead and use one or two full sized onions instead of these little guys, but what fun is that really? If you’re up for a little super bowl task I really recommend these little guys; super tasty and lots of fun!!
I mean, who has never had or at least never heard of the Bloomin’ Onion? No one, right?! They’re such intense, gigantic, funny things but I would totally be lying if I said I wasn’t a sucker for one. I actually haven’t had a bloomin’ onion in years, but this recipe seems appropriate with the upcoming food holiday, the super bowl, coming up….and because I tend to be obsessed with tiny foods, I was pretty set on figuring out a way to “minify” them.
First I tried using pearl onions, but they don’t have enough layers to really give that “bloomin’” effect. Next, I tried cippollini onions and they work perfectly! If you have a hard time removing the skins you can try soaking them in warm water, which usually helps to loosen them up. This recipe is slightly labor intensive, but I think it’s totally worth it and perfect for fun get-togethers. You can also save on time, by peeling and slicing up the onions ahead of time, so all you’re left with is dredging and frying.
These little guys fry up so well, with a light a crispy shell that crunches into a soft and slightly caramelized center. So good! I recommend serving these up with a simple buttermilk ranch dipping sauce, but ranch and fried things really go hand-in-hand. If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect super bowl appetizer to serve up, you should make these little guys. We’re sure they’ll be the hit of any party. Enjoy! xx, Jenny
More recipes we know you will love:
- Chicken Fried Potatoes
- Hush Puppies
- Buffalo Cauliflower
- Polenta Fries
- Fried Burrata with Romesco Sauce
- Carne Asada Fries
Baby Bloomin’ Onions
INGREDIENTS
- 16 cipollini onions
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- peanut or vegetable oil for frying
INSTRUCTIONS
- Fill a tall pot with 2 1/2 inches of oil. Preheat oil to 350˚F.
- Cut off 1/8 inch from the pointed stem end of each onion, then peel carefully, ensuring not to peel through an actual onion layer.
- Place the onion, cut-side up and make a cross-cut through the onion, leaving the bottom stem intact. Continue cross-cutting through the onion until you have 12 evenly spaced cuts through each onion.
- Turn the onions over and use your fingers to gently separate the outer layers.
- Pour buttermilk into a small bowl. Set aside.
- Place remaining ingredients into another mixing bowl and toss together until well combined.
- Dip each onion into the buttermilk, shaking to remove any excess liquid. Quickly dredge each onion in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Repeat until each onion is double coated.
- Carefully drop a couple onions at a time into the hot oil, cut-side down, for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and fry for an additional 2 minutes or until each onion is crisp and golden brown.
- Transfer onions onto paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Quickly transfer to a cooling rack or serving plate and serve with buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.
NOTES
- *Makes 16
Did you make this recipe? We want to see!
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Thèse look so cute and I just want to pop one in my mouth!
I have ALWAYS wanted to eat and/or make a blooming onion, but never got the chance. But everything bite-sized is just so much better, I might have to try this version instead!
searching out door cooking & I cane across Baby Blooming Onions, I love it & cant wait to cook soom up.
oh my. amazing! :) I have to make this ASAP
They sound delicious and they are adorable! Love this idea!
Your recipe made the Buzz Feed list! Congrats! Very well deserved!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/28-best-things-about-watching-the-superbowl?bffb&utm_term=4ldqphi#.td2Avkzj1
Do you think I could substitute the cipollini onions with boiler onions? Cipollini have been hard to find
I’ve tried this with boiler onions and they just don’t have enough layers to give it the same effect
Do you think you could make these a day ahead and then bake them in a hot oven and they would still be crispy? Trying to limit what I have to do on Super Bowl, plus the smell of frying in the house.
Unfortunately I think these need to be made on the spot. I think the moisture in the onion would be a little too much and would end um making everything greasy and soggy..sorry! We do have a bunch of “make ahead recipes” in our recipe though!..even an entire section dedicated to the super bowl :)
Thanks Jenny!
I had the same thought about making them ahead of time and then re-heating them at a later date. Think it would work if I freeze them immediately after they cool, then bake them off in a really hot oven when I want to serve them?
these look so great! cant wait to try them!! :)
Awesome recipe! I can’t to make this for Super Bowl party!
Great, simple and unique idea for my favorite appetizer, have to try this tonight
Mm I love this, I must try it! I love to pour a little bit of beer when I prepare onion rings, it gives it super cool flavor.
OMG this recipe is PERFECTION!!! I need to make these, or have someone make them for me hahaha
Well these are the cutest things I’ve ever seen! It’s one of my favorite appetizers, but I’ve never made it at home because it’s huge. Thanks for a great idea :)
This is adorable! I don’t think I’ve ever said that about an onion, hehe.
aww, so cute! I want to *in baby talk voice to onion* snuggle wuggle you before I eatsey weatsey your delicious wittle cutie pie self!!
Lol…….thts so cute! Widdle bitty baby onions
Lol, thanks!
I really want to eat these, but I don’t want to make them. I have an aversion to hot oil ever since my older sister and I tried to make donuts when I was around 10 and the pot caught on fire. So, can you whip some up and call me when they are ready? I would offer to whip up some dipping sauce, but yours will probably be better. How about some beer?
Oh my… I think you’ve made me forget my diet resolutions with this post…
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
Right, well they look awesome! Really lovely canape idea. As long as everyone has one so it’s not just a select few with the onion breath…. This is a good example of how easy it is to impress with food, just be creative. Thanks!
When I saw your post on Instagram I absolutely had to have the recipe. So cute!
To put it short and sweet. Love. this.recipe!
How perfect are these?! Love this idea.
Oh my!! So flipping cute!
How cute! If I may offer a tip, try blanching them in boiling water for ~15 seconds then shocking them in an ice bath. The quick blanch really loosens the skins and makes them easier to peel.
I’m sure these guys didn’t last long before disappearing, eh?
That’s actually a tip we talk about in our post! You can see we show that in one of our images above :)
Any chance this recipe would work if you bake them?
Unfortunately, I don’t think you’ll get the same crispy results!
I can’t say “yes” enough to this. Or stop drooling. Nom nom nom.