Mini Crispy Blooming Onions with Buttermilk Ranch

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bite-sized perfection: These mini blooming onions offer all the flavor of the classic version but in a much more manageable size, making them ideal for parties or individual servings.
Crispy and flavorful: A double coating in buttermilk and a seasoned flour mixture creates the crispiest, golden-brown exterior.
Customizable dipping sauces: While buttermilk ranch is a classic pairing, these mini onions can also be enjoyed with garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, or even BBQ sauce for added variety.
Fun and impressive: They’re not only delicious but look impressive when served, making them perfect for gatherings or as an appetizer.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Mini Blooming Onions:

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

For the Buttermilk Ranch Dipping Sauce:

Buttermilk ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Directions

1. Prep the onions:

Fill a tall pot with 2 ½ inches of oil and preheat it to 350°F.
Cut off about 1/8 inch from the pointed stem end of each cipollini onion and carefully peel off the outer layers, making sure not to remove the actual onion layer.
Place each onion cut-side up and make a cross-cut, leaving the bottom stem intact. Continue cutting until you have 12 evenly spaced cuts in each onion.
Turn the onions over and gently separate the outer layers with your fingers, creating the “bloom” effect.

2. Prepare the buttermilk and flour mixture:

Pour the buttermilk into a small bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, dry mustard, and black pepper. Mix well.

3. Coat the onions:

Dip each onion into the buttermilk, shaking off the excess liquid, then dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure the onion is evenly coated.
Repeat this process for a double coating, dipping them back into the buttermilk and flour mixture for a thicker, crunchier exterior.

4. Fry the onions:

Carefully drop a few onions at a time into the hot oil, cut-side down, and fry for 3-4 minutes.
Flip the onions and fry for another 2 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Transfer the fried onions to paper towels to drain excess oil and season immediately with additional salt and pepper.

5. Serve with dipping sauce:

Serve the crispy mini blooming onions hot with buttermilk ranch dipping sauce on the side. You can also garnish with fresh herbs for extra color.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 16 mini onions
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

PB Swirl: Marble 2 tablespoons of warmed peanut butter into the buttermilk ranch sauce for a unique flavor combination.
Double chocolate: Use dark chocolate Oreos® or add ½ cup mini chocolate chips.
Festive: For the holidays, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for an extra festive touch.
Dairy-Free: Use coconut condensed milk and dairy-free white chocolate chips for a dairy-free option.
Large Batch: Double the recipe; pour into a 9 x 13 pan—chill time will be the same.

Storage

Storage: These mini blooming onions are best served immediately while they are crispy. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: To maintain the crispy texture, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition (Per Mini Onion)

Calories: 206 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g

FAQs

Can I make these mini blooming onions ahead of time?

While these mini blooming onions are best enjoyed immediately after frying for maximum crispiness, you can prep the onions by cutting and peeling them ahead of time, so all you need to do when ready is fry them.

Can I make a healthier version of these mini onions?

For a lighter version, you can try baking the onions in the oven instead of frying. Coat them in a lighter batter or even use a panko breadcrumb coating for a crispy finish without deep frying.

Can I use other types of onions?

Cipollini onions are ideal for this recipe due to their small size and multiple layers, but you can experiment with other small onions, such as pearl onions, for a similar effect.

What are some other dipping sauces that would go well with these?

In addition to buttermilk ranch, these mini blooming onions also pair well with garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Conclusion

Mini Crispy Blooming Onions with Buttermilk Ranch are the perfect party appetizer or game-day snack. With their crispy layers, savory flavor, and the delicious dipping sauce, these bite-sized treats will impress anyone who tries them. Whether you’re serving them at a BBQ, a Super Bowl party, or as a fun snack at home, these mini blooming onions are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Mini Crispy Blooming Onions with Buttermilk Ranch