Awesome Blossom Onion Bites

Ingredients

• 1 cup Sour Cream (full‑fat, for sauce)
• 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise (regular)
• 1 tablespoon Horseradish (prepared horseradish, adds heat)
• 2 tablespoons Ketchup (regular)
• to taste Cayenne Pepper (ground, a few shakes for heat)
• 1.5 teaspoons Kosher Salt (for sweating onions)
• 1 large Yellow Onion (about 2 cups diced)
• pinch Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• pinch Garlic Powder (not garlic salt)
• 2 tablespoons Cornmeal (fine cornmeal for texture)
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (not baking soda)
• 0.5 cup Milk (whole milk, adjust for batter consistency)
• 0.5 cup Vegetable Oil (enough to fill skillet 1/2 inch, high smoke point)
• pinch Cayenne Pepper (garnish) (optional extra heat for serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Awesome Blossom Sauce

   In a mixing bowl combine sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish, and ketchup. Stir thoroughly, then add a few shakes of cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

   Time: PT5M

2. Dice the Onion

   Trim about 1 inch off the root end of the onion, cut in half, peel, then slice vertically into thin strips and dice crosswise to about 1/4‑inch cubes. You should end up with roughly 2 cups of diced onion from one large yellow onion.

   Time: PT5M

3. Salt the Onion and Sweat

   Transfer the diced onion to a bowl, sprinkle with 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, and toss to coat. Let sit for 15 minutes so the salt draws out moisture.

   Time: PT15M

4. Rinse and Drain

   Place the salted onions in a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess salt. Let drain for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a dry bowl.

   Time: PT5M

5. Combine Dry Ingredients

   To the dry onions add a pinch of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of cayenne, a pinch of garlic powder, cornmeal, all‑purpose flour, and baking powder. Stir until the dry ingredients coat the onions evenly.

   Time: PT5M

6. Make the Batter

   Create a well in the mixture and pour in the milk. Stir gently until a thick batter forms that clings to the onion pieces. If the batter is too thin, add a little more flour; if too thick, add a splash more milk. Let the batter rest for 7 minutes.

   Time: PT7M

7. Heat the Oil

   Add vegetable oil to the skillet to a depth of about ½ inch. Heat over medium‑high until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 350°F

8. Fry the Bites – First Side

   Using a sorbet scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of batter into the hot oil (about 6 at a time). Fry for about 3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: 350°F

9. Flip and Fry – Second (and Optional Third) Side

   Flip the bites with a spatula or fork and fry another 3 minutes. For extra crispness, flip a second time and fry an additional 1‑2 minutes.

   Time: PT6M

   Temperature: 350°F

10. Drain and Keep Warm

    Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried bites to a paper‑towel‑lined plate. Keep the finished bites in a warm oven (200°F) while you finish the batch.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 200°F

11. Serve

    Arrange the hot onion bites on a serving platter, drizzle or dip with the prepared Awesome Blossom sauce, and garnish with an extra pinch of cayenne if desired.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

300

Protein

5 g

Carbohydrates

20 g

Fat

20 g

Fiber

2 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Sour Cream: Greek yogurt
• Instead of Mayonnaise: Greek yogurt
• Instead of Horseradish: wasabi paste
• Instead of Ketchup: tomato paste diluted
• Instead of Cayenne Pepper: hot sauce
• Instead of Kosher Salt: sea salt
• Instead of Yellow Onion: white onion
• Instead of Garlic Powder: fresh minced garlic
• Instead of Cornmeal: panko breadcrumbs
• Instead of All-Purpose Flour: gluten‑free flour blend
• Instead of Baking Powder: baking soda + cream of tartar
• Instead of Milk: buttermilk, plant‑based milk
• Instead of Vegetable Oil: canola oil, peanut oil

Equipment Needed

• Mixing Bowl
• Skillet
• Spoon
• Sorbet Scoop or Tablespoon (optional)
• Paper Towels
• Tongs (optional)
• Oven (optional)
• Strainer
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Measuring Spoons
• Measuring Cups

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Prepare the Awesome Blossom sauce
• Dice the onion and sweat with salt
• Make a thick batter that coats the onions
• Heat oil to 350°F before frying
• Flip the bites correctly to achieve even crispness

Chef Tips from the Video

• A sorbet scoop gives uniform bite‑size portions for even cooking
• If the oil temperature drops, briefly raise the heat before adding the next batch
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the dry mix

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Sauce keeps 3‑4 days in an airtight container; fried bites are best same day but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5‑7 minutes

Freezer: Fried bites freeze well for up to 1 month; reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven until crisp

Room temperature: Do not leave fried bites at room temperature longer than 2 hours

Make-Ahead Tips

• The sour‑cream sauce can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated
• You can dice and salt the onion up to 30 minutes before cooking; keep it covered in the fridge
• Batter can rest for 10 minutes before frying to improve coating adhesion

Frequently Asked Questions