Onion Petals with Spicy Dipping Sauce (Printable)

Crispy golden fried onion petals with bold zesty dipping sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Onion Petals

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→ For the Spicy Dipping Sauce

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# How to Make It:

01 - Cut off the stem end and peel each onion. Place the root side down and make vertical cuts from top to bottom, leaving the root intact, to create 8–12 petals per onion. Gently separate the petals to bloom the onion.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and eggs until combined.
04 - Dip each onion into the flour mixture, ensuring all petals are coated. Shake off excess flour.
05 - Submerge the floured onion into the buttermilk-egg mixture, then return it to the flour mixture, coating thoroughly for a crispier crust.
06 - Heat 2–3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F.
07 - Fry onions, one at a time, cut side down first, for 3–4 minutes. Turn and fry an additional 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
08 - Mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
09 - Serve the hot onion petals with the spicy dipping sauce.

# Expert Suggestions:

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  • The double coating creates that satisfying crunch you get from restaurant appetizers
  • Sweet onions become mellow and savory after frying, nothing like raw onion bite
  • The spicy dipping sauce balances the richness perfectly
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  • Leaving the root intact is crucial, it holds the petals together during frying
  • Oil temperature drops when you add food, so let it recover between onions
  • Overcrowding the oil makes everything soggy, fry one at a time
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  • Let the coated onions rest on a rack for 10 minutes before frying for better adhesion
  • Keep finished petals warm in a 200 degree F oven while you fry the remaining onions
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