Bloomin' Onion-Inspired Crispy Battered Onion Rings

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thick-cut sweet onions coated in a seasoned batter, deep-fried until golden and served with a zesty dipping sauce. This recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, turns large sweet onion, all-purpose flour, cornstarch into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 International cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel the 1 large sweet onion and slice it into 1/2-inch thick rings. Separate the rings carefully to form petals.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup buttermilk with 1 large egg until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F.
  5. Step 5: Dip each onion petal first into the flour mixture, then into the buttermilk-egg mix, and again into the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
  6. Step 6: Fry the battered onion petals in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning once.
  7. Step 7: Drain on paper towels while preparing the dipping sauce by mixing 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp horseradish, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
  8. Step 8: Serve the crispy onion rings hot with the zesty dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bloomin' Onion-Inspired Crispy Battered Onion Rings take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bloomin' Onion-Inspired Crispy Battered Onion Rings?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bloomin' Onion-Inspired Crispy Battered Onion Rings?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bloomin' Onion-Inspired Crispy Battered Onion Rings for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Bloomin' Onion-Inspired Crispy Battered Onion Rings?

International snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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