Mini Bloomin Pearl Onions

These perfect fried Baby Blooming Onion bites served up with a homemade dipping sauce of choice are a bite-sized blessing.

These seasoned and breaded little bites using the tiny pearl onion are a take on a traditional fried onion petal that packs excellent flavor in a miniature bite.

Below we have the Deep Fried version and as requested by a lot of readers, added the AIR FRYER version!

Why you will love making Baby Bloomin’ Onions

A fun little appetizer recipe – You may be asking yourself what exactly you can do with pearl onions. Short a large outback steakhouse bloomin’ onion itself, this viral tiktok appetizer recipe is bite after bite of perfectly seasoned breading and the vibrant taste of an onion.

Great for football parties – Mini Pearl onions are great to serve up at football parties and make a perfect pairing alongside dip recipes and other finger foods.

Easy to grab and serve one by one (or by the handful), bite-sized blooming onions pair with various dipping sauces.

Ingredients:

• 1 package, 12 oz, frozen pearl onions (keep frozen)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 eggs
• cooking spray

Air Fryer Bloomin Pearl Onion Recipe

• The instructions below are specifically for an air fryer. If you prefer to use regular fried on the stove, please continue lower in the article.

Add frozen onions to a microwave safe bowl and microwave on defrost setting for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and place in a single layer on paper towels to drain.

In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, cayenne, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and mix well. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat together eggs. Set aside.

Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 390 degrees.

Working in batches, dredge some of the onions into the egg mixture and mix to evenly coat. Place onions into the flour mixture and toss to coat. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray onions with cooking spray.

Air Crisp (Air Fry) for 3 minutes at 390 degrees. When cooking is complete, shake basket and coat onions with additional cooking spray.

Return to cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from air fryer and serve immediately.

How to make Fried Mini Onion Bites

• These instructions are for the stovetop.

Frozen pearl onions – Thaw frozen onions in a bowl of cold water overnight before making this dish. The cold water helps not only defrost the onions but takes out some of the “bite” of the onion taste. Dry thoroughly before moving on to the breading.

1. Remove onions from cold water and drain. Pat dry. Set aside.
2. Mix eggs in a shallow bowl. Set egg mixture aside.
3. Mix flour and spices in a separate deep bowl and mix.
4. Heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
5. Dredge onions first into eggs and then into flour mixture. Shake excess flour off the coated onions.

1. If you prefer a crunchy onion, batter the thawed onions and flash fry them in hot oil until the outside is golden brown, which should only take a few minutes. This method results in a crispy exterior with a firm texture inside. For soft, tender onions similar to onion rings, heat the oil over low to medium heat and fry the onions slowly for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The outer layer will become crispy and golden brown while the inside stays soft and tender. Be careful not to overheat the oil, as this can burn the outside before the inside is fully cooked. To ensure the desired texture, test one onion before frying the entire batch.
2. Drain Bloomin onion bites on paper towels. Optional: Season with salt while still hot.
3. Serve with ranch dressing.

Would we make fried Maui Onions again?

These tiktok mini blooming onions are yummy and one we would make again with a few minor changes. The original recipe was way under seasoned, and these are best (due to the fryer) in having super-seasoned flour.

Get in there and be generous with herbs and spices. Do not be afraid to try other non-suggested spices as well!

Related Viral Appetizer Recipes

• These TikTok Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe not only make a great appetizer but a kid-friendly dinner as well.
• Throw a jar of pickles with ranch seasoning for a quick, tasty snack.
• 44 Million viewers on this TikTok Pizza Bite recipe – SO easy, SO good, SO fun!

• You must try this homemade cheez-its recipe!
• Need some easy party food ideas? Try a potato cheese sticks recipe, Dorito Cheese sticks recipe, and one of our favorite recipes, the Garlic Parmesan Pizza Rolls recipe.