American·Appetizer
Awesome Blossom Onion Bite
A simplified, bite-sized take on the classic restaurant appetizer that captures the crispy, savory magic of a fried onion blossom without the mess of deep-frying a whole onion.
Prep
25m
Cook
15m
Total
40m
Serves
4
Method
- 01
Prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, and a few shakes of cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired, then refrigerate until serving.
Watch · 0:18
- 02
Dice the onion into small pieces to yield roughly 2 cups. Place the diced onion in a bowl, sprinkle with 1.5 teaspoons of kosher salt, and toss to coat. Let the onions sit for about 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
Watch · 1:35
- 03
Transfer the salted onions to a fine-mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove the excess salt. Let them drain for a few minutes before transferring to a dry mixing bowl.
Watch · 3:28
- 04
Season the onions with a pinch of salt, black pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder. Add the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, and baking powder. Stir to coat the onions in the dry ingredients, then add enough milk to form a very thick batter. Let the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Watch · 3:55
- 05
Heat about a half-inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Use a sorbet scoop or two spoons to drop rounded tablespoon portions of batter into the hot oil. Fry for about 3 minutes per side until beautifully browned and crispy.
Watch · 5:02
- 06
For extra crispiness, flip the bites once more to ensure deep browning. Carefully remove the onion bites from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately alongside the chilled dipping sauce.
Watch · 6:52
From Chef John
“You are after all the Michael Scott of what this got.”
“What you know what they say—they say a lot of things.”
“Imagine the best onion ring you've ever had except a little bit better.”