Use What You Have
Awesome Blossom Onion Bites Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
For the Onion Bites:
- 2 cups diced onions
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups vegetable oil, or as needed for frying
Directions
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, ketchup, and horseradish. Stir well. Taste and adjust seasoning with cayenne pepper to your liking. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Optional Step for Extra Crunch: Place the diced onions in a bowl. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt, stir, and cover. Let the onions sit for about 15 minutes to draw out moisture. After 15 minutes, transfer the onions to a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Allow the onions to drain for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a dry bowl.
- Prepare the Onion Bites Batter: To the bowl with the diced onions, add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cornmeal, flour, and baking powder. Stir everything together until well combined. Pour in the milk and mix until a thick batter forms. Let the batter sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Heat the Oil: In a heavy-duty skillet, heat the vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch over medium-high heat. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches 350F (180C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into the hot oil. If it bubbles vigorously, the oil is ready.
- Fry the Onion Bites: Carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter (about 1 rounded tablespoon per bite) into the hot oil. Fry in batches, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Once all the onion bites are fried, transfer them to a serving plate. Keep them warm in the oven if necessary. Serve the onion bites with the prepared dipping sauce and enjoy!
Chef's Notes
You can keep the fried onion bites warm in the oven while frying the remaining batches. For best results, fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Be sure to check the oil temperature frequently to maintain the right frying conditions.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrition Information | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 165 |
| Total Fat | 9g (11% DV) |
| Saturated Fat | 2g (11% DV) |
| Cholesterol | 10mg (3% DV) |
| Sodium | 484mg (21% DV) |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19g (7% DV) |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g (5% DV) |
| Total Sugars | 6g |
| Protein | 3g (7% DV) |
| Vitamin C | 5mg (5% DV) |
| Calcium | 81mg (6% DV) |
| Iron | 1mg (5% DV) |
| Potassium | 202mg (4% DV) |
Awesome Blossom Onion Bites are a crispy, savory snack that has become a favorite appetizer in many American households. These delicious onion fritters are a simpler and more convenient alternative to the classic fried blooming onion, capturing the crispy outer crunch and tender onion flavor without the hassle of deep-frying a whole onion.
History of Awesome Blossom Onion Bites
While the exact origin of the "Awesome Blossom" recipe is difficult to pinpoint, the concept of a blooming onion gained popularity in the United States in the 1980s. The most famous version of this dish is served at Outback Steakhouse, where a whole onion is cut in a flower-like shape, battered, and deep-fried. The Awesome Blossom Onion Bites, as a variation, provide a smaller, bite-sized alternative that still delivers the same great taste, making it easier to share and eat. These small, fried onion morsels have since become a popular choice for casual parties, family gatherings, and as a bar snack.
Regional Variations
Though they are primarily associated with American cuisine, variations of fried onions exist in many cultures. For example, in the Middle East, there are dishes such as fritters made from chickpeas and onions, and in India, onion bhajis are a common snack. The American version of the onion fritter, as seen in the Awesome Blossom Onion Bites, uses a combination of cornmeal, flour, and seasonings to create a thick batter that gives the onion bites their signature crispy exterior. The accompanying dipping sauce, often a tangy blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, and horseradish, is another distinctive feature that sets these onion bites apart from other onion fritter-style dishes.
How It Differs from Similar Dishes
The Awesome Blossom Onion Bites share similarities with onion rings and the classic blooming onion. However, the key difference lies in the preparation and presentation. While onion rings are typically sliced into rings and battered before being deep-fried, and a blooming onion is cut into a whole onion, the Awesome Blossom Onion Bites involve dicing the onion into small chunks. This technique allows for a higher ratio of batter to onion, resulting in a crunchier, more evenly fried texture in every bite. Additionally, the batter for Awesome Blossom Onion Bites is often thicker, which creates a more substantial crunch compared to the lighter batter typically used for onion rings.
Where Are They Typically Served?
Awesome Blossom Onion Bites are commonly served as appetizers or snacks in casual dining settings. They are especially popular in sports bars, restaurants offering comfort food, and at home for family gatherings. Due to their finger-food nature, they are a hit at parties, barbecues, and even as a game-day snack. The dish pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces, including ranch, spicy mayo, or a tangy cocktail sauce. They can also be served as a side dish alongside burgers, sandwiches, or fried chicken.
Interesting Facts
- The original "Awesome Blossom" is said to have been created at Outback Steakhouse, where it quickly became one of their most popular menu items.
- The Awesome Blossom Onion Bites provide a more accessible alternative to the traditional blooming onion, especially for those who prefer smaller, bite-sized portions.
- Though these bites are usually fried, you can easily adapt the recipe to make them in an air fryer for a healthier version of the snack.
- As with many classic fried dishes, the flavor profile of the Awesome Blossom Onion Bites can be adjusted to taste, with options to add spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder to the batter.
- They are often served with a dipping sauce that can be customized with ingredients such as horseradish, ketchup, or even a dash of hot sauce for added heat.
Whether you're a fan of classic comfort foods or looking for a fun and shareable appetizer, Awesome Blossom Onion Bites are sure to please any crowd. Their crispy exterior and flavorful onion interior, combined with the perfect dipping sauce, make them a must-try for anyone who loves savory snacks.
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FAQ about Awesome Blossom Onion Bites Recipe
Comments
Dave Nespoli
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
These remind me of potato latkes, but with onions rather than potatoes. The recipe, including the dipping sauce, came together quickly and were a hit as an after work finger food to eat while watching TV.
VioletMead4843
02/26/2025 03:02:52 AM
These are much easier to make from scratch than onion rings or a blossom and the taste/texture was both super crunchy and fluffy in the middle. Mine were a bit large since I used a larger scoop, but with a smaller scoop like used in video, these would be a perfect, crispy bite.
SilkySlaw8837
03/09/2025 02:24:57 AM
This was an awesome recipe! The whole family loves it! WAY EASIER than awesome blossoms or even onion rings!!! Will probably be made regularly in this house! Was very easy to substitute gluten free flour and they turned out great!
SandyGouda1136
03/20/2025 10:55:27 PM
These were great! However, since I did salt the onions prior to making the batter; and, I did drain them for over 5 mins, they still were very wet and made the batter thin. I added extra flour until the batter was thicker. I also added a lot of horseradish to the sauce. Recipe is definitely a "keeper"!
Cliff V
02/26/2025 11:40:24 PM
GREAT!!! Basically an onion fritter- Was DELICIOUS. My wife has gluten issues so used the cornmeal and subbed in Coconut flour instead of All purpose and added a little arrowroot starch when it looked a little loose (probably added too much milk). A keeper!!! The sauce I made the exact way as he said except I did add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce- "I am after all the BOSS of how I make my Onion SAUCE"..... Sauce was DELICIOUS as well!
SteadyBoba1943
03/16/2025 11:34:11 AM
Better to blend the dry ingredients before adding the onions. I also added chopped green part of green onions, and a little chopped sundried tomato for appearance and flavor.
Tina Tojek
08/01/2025 03:22:04 AM
I made this recipe with gluten free flour and, it turned out great. I chopped the onions in a food processor because they really bother my eyes, so, they may have been a little fine. But, my celiac husband I really enjoyed them as a snack. I'd like to add something to the sauce but, I'm not sure what so, I'll look through the reviews and see if any others have ideas.
Andrea Fraser Hanson
04/26/2025 06:34:58 PM
I made these last night for a small family get-together. Even my 12 year old granddaughter ate several. I doubled the recipe and that was about right for 8 people. We had maybe 10 left. I did add more flour after the second batch, as they were starting to spread. That fixed it.
Rosemary
08/04/2025 01:03:52 PM
I made these with King Arthur gluten free flour and almond flour instead of cornmeal. I enjoyed them so much!
Pam Jim
05/10/2025 04:11:33 PM
We liked it a lot. Same flavor as the whole onion but easier to cook. Also easier to make sure it’s done throughout. I chopped my onions a bit bigger than usual and that gave it more of on onion rings bite. The best part was they stay warm longer than onion rings or petals. Loved the sauce! I put a bit more Cayenne to give it a bit of heat. It’s good on other things too!
fruitdog
03/24/2025 03:02:49 PM
I have made these three times so far, even the failed attempts were pretty good too! The sauce is so tasty!! Almond flour apparently does not work in this recipe. Made them last night with flour and polenta vs cornmeal because I had none and they were so good! I did use a sweet onion and had some leftover chipotle mayo from fish tacos, so just added sour cream and ketchup for the sauce.
PuffySoup1650
09/21/2025 06:58:51 PM
This was a quick snack, it reminds me of an ethnic snack that my mom makes. She could never give me a proper recipe so when I found this one, I thought I'd give it a try. My stovetop runs hot so I would cook this again using a medium setting. I didn't care too much for the sauce - it had a slight zing which was great though I felt it didn't work well. I am used to eating the version my mom makes without any sauce so that may be the reason why.
Selena
09/09/2025 09:17:34 PM
Saved and loved
DapperScale7263
06/20/2025 03:15:14 AM
My family and I were not only impressed with these, but we really enjoyed the taste of these Awesome Blossoms along with the sauce. I will be making these again soon. Thanks to the Chef, and I love, love his personality!
Elizabeth
05/28/2025 11:28:40 PM
I made these as an appetizer for Memorial Day dinner with friends. Everyone loved it! My husband asked me to make it again.
Ashley Wright
05/03/2025 12:13:04 AM
Made it with what I had in my fridge — turned out amazing.
Sarah H
04/27/2025 02:43:02 PM
I wound up doing several different versions in addition to diced onion: jalapeno, zucchini, mushroom and pickles. They all turned out great, even the wetter pickles and zucchini. This will be a new go-to for cleaning out the produce drawer. I recommend doing smaller fritters if you prefer a crispier texture, but it's a great basic batter no matter what.
SandyTuna4017
04/07/2025 01:21:36 AM
These are similar to onion fritters my grandmother made when I was a kid. Absolutely fantastic recipe, and it's much easier/efficient than frying a whole onion. Thank you, Chef! As far as substitutions for spices and corn meal, or the way you cut onions, try all kinds of things. I use corn masa, which I always have on hand, and dangerous quantities of cayenne. You are, after all, the Master of your own cooking Disaster!
Bethany Cornell
03/17/2025 10:31:28 PM
Husband absolutely loves these so much easier than a blooming big onion
cher e
03/16/2025 01:05:40 AM
Easy to make and it was really good. Next time, I'll kick it up a notch and add a little more spice.
audio version
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