What Are Onion flakes and How Can I Use Them?

Wondering what to do with onion flakes? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them, plus 58 recipes to put them to work.

What are onion flakes?

Onion flakes are fresh onions chopped small and dried until they snap. They are the same pantry product sold as dried minced onion or dehydrated onion, just labeled by the size of the piece.

With the water gone, the flavor concentrates and the flakes keep for months, ready whenever you want onion without the knife and the tears. They land between fresh onion and onion powder: coarser than powder, milder and sweeter than a raw bulb.

Stir them straight into anything wet that simmers, like soups or stews or a pot of sauce, and they rehydrate as it cooks. For raw uses such as burgers or dips, soak them in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes first, then drain and use like chopped fresh onion.

A rough rule: about 1 tablespoon of flakes equals one small fresh onion.

We keep the full details on one page so they stay in sync: the fresh-onion equivalents, the substitutes, and the storage notes. See onion, dried flakes for everything, and the onions hub for the fresh varieties behind it.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Food group: Onion flakes are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

洋葱片

British (UK) term

Onion flakes

en français

flocons d'oignon

en español

hojuelas de cebolla

How much do onion flakes weigh?

Related

Vegetables and Vegetable Products

Recipes using onion flakes

There are 58 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Montreal-Style Bagels

Sweeter and a bit more dense than traditional bagels, these Montreal-style bagels are hand-rolled and boiled briefly in honey water

Light Tuna Salad

The addition of ingredients like curry powder and grated Parmesan make this salad special. Great for sandwiches, on crackers as an appetizer or served on lettuce leaves.

Minnesota Cream of Mushroom Soup

My favorite as a child growing up in cold Minnesota.

Cheesy Tuna Rice Muffins

Tuna and olives match beautifully in this cheesy baked savory muffin that's served with a tangy butter sauce.

Deluxe Camp Chili with Jerky

A trail-worthy chili made from beef jerky, chili powder, cumin seeds, and oregano simmered low and slow until the jerky rehydrates and turns tender. No fresh meat or refrigeration needed.

Couscous with Sundried Tomatoes

Couscous with sun-dried tomatoes, onion flakes, and garlic powder cooked in vegetable broth. A five-ingredient side dish ready in 15 minutes with concentrated tomato flavor in every bite.

Scalloped Turkey & Cauliflower

Scalloped turkey and cauliflower baked in a light turkey stock gravy. A low-calorie main dish that puts leftover turkey to good use.

Venison Meat Loaf

Venison meatloaf cuts ground deer with pork sausage for fat and flavor, then bastes with onion soup broth every ten minutes for a tender, savory game-meat loaf that doesn't dry out.

Miniature Bagels

Miniature bagels made from scratch with a proper boil-then-bake method, topped with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or onion flakes. Bite-sized, chewy bagels that freeze beautifully.

Stuffed Cucumber

Stuffed cucumber appetizer with a whole cucumber hollowed out and packed with dill cream cheese, then chilled, sliced into rounds, and sprinkled with paprika. A retro party snack.

Lisas' Hot Italian Meatball Sandwiches

Italian meatball subs stuffed with mozzarella centers, simmered in pizza sauce, piled into hollowed French rolls, and broiled melty. A gameday or weeknight crowd favorite.

Classic Quiche

A vegan broccoli quiche with a silky tofu filling in a wholesome oat and whole wheat crust. Egg-free, dairy-free, and packed with vegetables for a plant-based brunch or light dinner.

Recipe: Brocolli Strata (Lacto)

Make-ahead broccoli cheddar strata with cubed bread, eggs, and skim milk assembled overnight and baked until golden. A savory breakfast casserole that feeds a crowd.

Camp Chilli

Vegan lentil camp chili made entirely from dry, shelf-stable ingredients. Just add water and simmer for a hearty, spiced trail meal. Lightweight, packable, and no cooler needed.

Tangy Tomato Dip

Low-fat tomato dip made with sieved cottage cheese, nonfat yogurt, ketchup, and tomato juice. A creamy, high-protein party dip with no cooking required. Ready in 10 minutes.

Great Aunt Jane's Tuna Macaroni Bake

Creamy tuna macaroni bake with cream cheese, mushroom soup, and a buttered cracker crumb topping. A comforting family casserole from scratch.

Halibut Baked with Herbs

Baked halibut with two herb seasoning options: a Mediterranean spice blend or a crispy Parmesan and Rice Chex crust. Dotted with butter and lemon juice, ready to serve.

Kohnen's Biryani Supremo

Chicken biryani with toasted rice, whole spices, turmeric, golden raisins, and crispy fried onion flakes. An aromatic one-pot Indian rice dish garnished with hard-boiled eggs and tomato.

Kohnen's Biryani Supremo

Chicken biryani with toasted rice, whole spices, turmeric, golden raisins, and crispy fried onion flakes. An aromatic one-pot Indian rice dish garnished with hard-boiled eggs and tomato.

Bit-O-Barley Stuffing

Barley and wheat germ stuffing with cashews, sage, poultry seasoning, cream of mushroom soup, and tomato puree. A hearty, nutty alternative to bread stuffing.

Baked Green Beans

Very easy to prepare; Green beans baked in tomato juice.

Italian Turkey Burgers

Italian turkey burgers seasoned with oregano, basil, garlic, and onion, baked until golden and topped with a mushroom-tomato sauce with thyme. A lean, flavorful burger done oven-style.

Italian Turkey Burgers

Italian turkey burgers seasoned with oregano, basil, garlic, and onion, baked until golden and topped with a mushroom-tomato sauce with thyme. A lean, flavorful burger done oven-style.

Moms Dill Dip

Classic sour cream and mayo dill dip with Worcestershire, hot sauce, and onion flakes. A savory, herbaceous party dip for raw veggies that takes 10 minutes to stir together.

Tempeh Stuffed Peppers

Vegetarian tempeh-stuffed peppers simmered in a tangy tomato-sauerkraut sauce, packed with miso, beans, and herbs. Hearty plant-based main with Eastern European roots.

Homemade Cream Soup Substitute

Homemade cream soup mix: a dry pantry blend of powdered milk, cornstarch, bouillon and herbs that replaces canned cream-of-anything soup. Lower sodium, no preservatives, ready when you need it.

Dilly Casserole Bread

Dilly casserole bread is a tangy, no-knead yeast loaf made with cottage cheese, dill seed, and onion flakes for a moist, savory crumb baked in a round casserole dish.

Ham & Potato Quiche

Ham and potato quiche with Swiss cheese in a from-scratch shortening crust. Cubed ham, boiled potato strips, and a simple egg custard bake into a hearty, satisfying main dish.

Yet Another Chili Seasoning Mix

No need to use store bought seasoning mix. Control the salt level and use your own.

Harvest Medley

Harvest medley: a rice cooker one-pot meal with eggplant, tomatoes, chickpeas, and herbed rice. A vegan weeknight dinner that cooks hands-free in 30 minutes.

Low Carb Egg Quiche

Crustless low-carb quiche packed with eggs, cooked turkey or chicken, bell peppers, and oregano. Bakes in 30 minutes for an easy keto-friendly breakfast or dinner.

Dry Jerk Seasoning

Homemade dry jerk seasoning with allspice, thyme, cayenne, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper. A Jamaican-style spice rub for fish, vegetables, chicken, and snacks.

Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken

Crock pot balsamic chicken, spice-rubbed thighs slow-cooked in balsamic vinegar and garlic until fall-apart tender. A tangy-sweet, dump-and-go dinner with almost no hands-on time.

Sunshine Drumsticks

Slow cooker chicken drumsticks glazed in orange juice and honey with a kick of jalapeno. Just 5 minutes of prep, then the crockpot does all the work for tender, sweet-heat chicken.

Lobster Bisque Elegante

Lobster Bisque Elegante is a classic French-style creamy lobster soup built on a homemade stock from the lobster shells, thickened with a buttery roux and finished with cream. A restaurant-quality starter from scratch.

Easy Cabbage & Vegetable Soup

I love this vegetable soup, I added two kinds of mushrooms, I am a mushroom's fan, it was still a great recipe.

Apricot Maple Glazed Pork Roast

Apricot maple glazed pork roast coated in a sticky-sweet sauce of apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup. Marinate, roast, and rest for juicy, glossy pork that works with a roast, loin, or chops.

Pork, Ham, Crab & Shrimp Fried Rice

Rice is cooked with pork and shrimp, seasoned with soy sauce, garlic and chilis, and garnished with ham, cram, omelet and celeries. This one-pot meal is quick, easy to make, and fills you up with lots of deliciousness.

Bacon Onion Quiche Bites

Crispy phyllo shells hold savory bacon-cheddar custard in these bite-sized quiches where eggs, cream, and real bacon bits bake into golden, puffed appetizers that disappear fast at any gathering.

Beau Monde Dip

Beau Monde dip, the classic dill and onion party dip in a creamy sour cream and mayo base, seasoned with Beau Monde for a savory, celery-salt edge. Make-ahead and made for chips, crudites, or a bread bowl.

Beau Monde Dip

Beau Monde dip, the classic dill and onion party dip in a creamy sour cream and mayo base, seasoned with Beau Monde for a savory, celery-salt edge. Make-ahead and made for chips, crudites, or a bread bowl.

Zesty Chili Seasoning Mix

Zesty chili seasoning mix, a make-ahead blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes with a little flour to thicken. Skip the packet and season a pot of chili from scratch.

Bread Machine Onion Bagels- Regular Size Batch

Savory onion bagels from your bread machine with onion powder baked into the dough and rehydrated onion flakes scattered on top. Boiled and baked chewy with a toasty onion crunch on the crust.

Double Dill Bread

Double dill bread with dill seed and fresh dill weed in a cottage cheese yeast dough baked in a casserole. A tender, herb-packed whole wheat loaf.

Gado Gado (Mixed Vegetables with Peanut Sauce)

Gado Gado (Mixed Vegetables with Peanut Sauce) recipe

Another Chili Seasoning Mix

This mixture helps thicken your chili as well as adding loads of flavor.

Polygrain Pilaf

Polygrain pilaf with brown rice, kasha, millet, and arame seaweed baked in vegetable stock. Topped with steamed carrots, peas, and daikon for a hearty vegan grain bowl.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Homestyle stuffed cabbage rolls with seasoned ground chuck, bacon, and a tangy tomato-oregano sauce. Baked until golden brown, these are just like Mom used to make.

Flank Steak in Mushroom Sauce

Slow cooker flank steak braised in sauterne wine, beef broth, and soy sauce with sliced mushrooms. Fork-tender beef with a rich, glossy mushroom gravy.

Pizza Pleasure Bread for Bread Machine

Pizza bread for the bread machine bakes pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, mushrooms, and oregano right into the loaf. Hands-off, no kneading, and the inside tastes like a pepperoni roll.

All 58 recipes