Description
This Baked Blooming Onion recipe offers a healthier, oven-baked alternative to the classic fried appetizer, combining crispy seasoned panko breadcrumbs with tender baked onion petals, perfect for game day or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion
- ⅔ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 large egg whites
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal baking temperature.
- Prepare Onion: Using a large knife, cut off about ¼ inch from the top of the onion to expose the inside layers carefully without cutting the root side. Peel off the outermost onion layer down to the root, keeping the root intact for holding the petals together.
- Cut Onion Petals: Place the onion cut side down on a cutting board. Cut the onion into 16 sections by slicing straight down about ⅛ inch from the root, creating petals. Separate the petals gently with your fingers, turning the onion over and laying it on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Mix Coating: In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, ground paprika, Cajun seasoning, and sea salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until slightly frothy.
- Coat Onion: Starting section by section, brush each onion petal with egg white, then generously sprinkle with the panko mixture. Continue coating all petals, then brush the entire onion with remaining egg whites and sprinkle the coating over it thoroughly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the onion loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 5 minutes to begin softening the onion and setting the coating.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the onion is tender and the edges are browned and crispy.
Notes
- This baked blooming onion is a healthier alternative to the classic fried version, reducing oil and calories while maintaining crispiness.
- Use a large onion to ensure plenty of petals for coating and serving.
- For easier cutting, chill the onion briefly before slicing to reduce slipperiness.
- Serve with a dip like ranch or a spicy sauce to complement the flavors if desired.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning according to preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 onion
- Calories: 137 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 498 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
