Description
Crispy Bang Bang Cauliflower is a crunchy, golden appetizer tossed in a creamy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce. It’s the perfect mix of crisp texture and bold flavor, making it an irresistible vegetarian favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup milk (or plant milk)
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Green onions, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and milk to form a smooth batter.
- Dip cauliflower florets into the batter, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Arrange coated florets on a lined baking sheet or air fryer basket.
- Bake or air fry for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth.
- Toss hot cauliflower in the sauce just before serving.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, then enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh cauliflower for the best crunch.
- Don’t toss with sauce too early or it will lose crispiness.
- Warm the sauce slightly before tossing for better coating.
- For a vegan option, use plant milk and vegan mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg