Description
This Baked Blooming Onion is a healthier twist on the classic restaurant appetizer, featuring a large yellow onion coated in a flavorful blend of panko breadcrumbs, paprika, and Cajun seasoning. Baked until tender and golden, this appetizer is perfect for game days or casual gatherings, offering a deliciously crispy texture without the extra oil from frying.
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 and prepare onion: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Use a large knife to cut off about ¼-inch from the top of the onion, exposing a few inner layers. Peel away the outermost skin, leaving the root intact.
- Cut onion into petals: Place the onion cut side down on a cutting board. Carefully slice the onion into 16ths by making cuts about ⅛-inch from the root, cutting straight down without slicing through the root. Separate the onion petals gently and set the onion open-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Prepare coating mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and sea salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy.
- Coat the onion petals: Working in sections, brush each onion petal generously with egg whites, then sprinkle the panko mixture over each petal. Repeat this process for all sections. Finally, brush the entire onion with an additional layer of egg whites and sprinkle the panko coating over the whole onion for thorough coverage.
- Bake the onion: Cover the onion loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for 15 minutes or until the onion is tender and the edges are golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- This baked version is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried blooming onion.
- Make sure to keep the root intact when cutting to hold the petals together.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste for more or less heat.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or spicy mayo for extra flavor.
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
