Long before appetizer sharing became trendy, Chili’s Awesome Blossom was creating “wow” moments at dinner tables across America. This spectacular whole onion creation transformed a simple ingredient into an edible masterpiece that looked like a blooming flower and tasted like crispy, seasoned perfection. While this beloved appetizer may no longer grace Chili’s menu, its legacy lives on through this faithful copycat recipe that captures every detail of the original, from the perfectly seasoned breading to the signature spicy dipping sauce that made it legendary.
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Table of Contents
Original Chili’s Awesome Nlossom appetizer
Chili’s is known for its flavorful food and delicious cocktails. Everyone loves Chili’s Chicken Crispers and Chili’s Salsa.
The Awesome Blossom is aptly named. It’s a “bloom” of breaded and deep-fried onion. You pick apart the petals of the onion “flower” and dip them in a delicious sauce with just the right amount of spice.
The Awesome Blossom has been replaced at Chili’s by Awesome Blossom Petals. Awesome Blossom Petals is a very similar (but lighter) version of the full-blooming onion but is served as separate petals. It consists of a light, flaky breading, hints of seasoned salt, sweetness from the onion, and a ranch-style dressing dip.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-quality results at home
- Creates a stunning presentation
- Perfect sharing appetizer for parties
- Crispier than standard onion rings
- Customizable spice levels
- Great make-ahead dipping sauce
Ingredients Breakdown
For the Blossom:
- Large sweet onion (Vidalia preferred) – Creates the signature “bloom” shape
- All-purpose flour – Forms a crispy coating
- McCormick Seasoned Salt – Provides signature seasoning
- Ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat
- Garlic powder – Creates savory depth
- Buttermilk – Helps breading adhere and tenderizes
- Vegetable oil for frying – Needs high smoke point for proper frying
For the Sauce:
- Sour cream – Creates a creamy base
- Ketchup – Adds tanginess and color
- Seasoned salt – Enhances flavors
- Ground red pepper – Provides heat
- Prepared horseradish – Adds a signature kick
- Paprika – Contributes color and mild pepper flavor
How to Make Chili’s Awesome Blossom
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Onion:
- Cut 1/2 inch off the top of the onion
- Peel the onion, keeping the root intact
- Place the onion cut-side down
- Starting 1/2 inch from the root, make 12-16 evenly spaced cuts downward
- Turn the onion over and gently spread “petals”
- Soak in ice water for 30 minutes
Making the Breading:
- Combine flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, and garlic powder
- Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly
Breading Process:
- Drain the onion and pat dry
- Dredge in seasoned flour mixture
- Dip in buttermilk
- Coat again in flour mixture
- Shake off the excess
Frying:
- Heat oil to 350°F
- Carefully lower the onion root-side up
- Fry 10-15 minutes until golden brown
- Drain on paper towels
Sauce Preparation:
- Combine all sauce ingredients
- Mix until smooth
- Refrigerate until serving
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Choose large, firm onions with tight layers
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F
- Don’t skip the soaking step
- Double-coat for extra crispiness
- Let the sauce chill for at least 30 minutes
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Q: Why won’t my onion open properly? A: Soak longer in ice water or make deeper cuts
Q: Why isn’t my coating staying on? A: Ensure the onion is well-dried after soaking
Q: Can I make this ahead? A: Make sauce ahead; onion is best served fresh
Dietary Modifications & Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour blend
- Lighter Version: Bake at 425°F after spraying with oil
- Dairy-Free: Use non-dairy milk with vinegar for buttermilk
- Healthier Sauce: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
Recipe Modifications
If you are counting calories, you can make these modifications to this copycat Awesome Blossom recipe:
- Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Find a brand of ketchup that has low sugar content. Of course, if you make your own ketchup, you have complete control over how much sugar goes into it.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Sauce Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Flavors improve with time.
- Fried Onion Storage: Best served immediately for optimal texture. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Reheating Method: Avoid microwave as it makes coating soggy. Use 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes or air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.
Let me know how much fun you’ve had making an Awesome Blossom from an onion. Here are some more links for you to try, including a couple of copycat onion recipes:
Love Chili’s? Try these copycat recipes!
Favorite Fried Appetizer Recipes
Check out my easy appetizer recipes and the best copycat recipes for casual dining restaurants here on CopyKat!
Chili’s Awesome Blossom Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
Awesome Blossom
- 1 large onion
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons McCormick seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- vegetable oil for frying
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ½ teaspoon McCormick seasoned salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1½ teaspoons horseradish
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Awesome Blossom
- Mix all dry ingredients together.
- Cut the top 1/4 off the onion (the top has the stem). Then peel the onion but make sure the root stays intact.
- Carefully slice the onion from the top stopping about ½ inch above the root (take care not to cut through the root). Slice the rest of the onion like a pie.
- Soak the onion in ice-cold water for about 30 minutes until the onion’s petals open up and bloom.
- Heat oil to 350 degrees.
- Drain the onion and dip in flour mixture and dust the onion to cover the onion thoroughly.
- Dip onion in buttermilk and back in flour mixture.
- Place the onion in the hot oil and fry until golden. Oil should cover onion.
- When done, drain well and place the fried onion on a plate.
- Cut the center out of the onion.
Sauce Directions
- Mix all sauce ingredients together. Serve the sauce in a small ramekin in the middle of the onion blossom.
- Garnish with paprika and just a dash of red pepper.
Looks mouthwatering! Can’t wait to savor every bite. I will definitely make and share it with my friends.
Chili’s blooming onions are absolutely my favorite so when I cam across this recipe I knew I cannot miss out on this idea. I tried it out and it was a blast.
Nice delicious recipe
Looks yummy!
Looks delicious!
Hi Stephanie,
First of all, I like the name of your recipe. I have always wanted this recipe.
Hi Stephanie,
I loved this! It does not get better than this fried onion!
I love how simple you have made this recipe. I am going to try this tonight.
Stephanie, thank you for this awesome copycat creation. It looks super tasty and the presentation is restaurant quality. I also appreciate all your tips and tricks!
i worked for Outback Steakhouse and i think it’s bullshit that Outback has a claim on a fried onion…Chili’s deserves the rite to sell Awesome Blossoms…
This is THE best copykat of the Chili’s Blossom so far!!!! Super easy and super delicious!!
chilis bloomin onion and sauce