This Bang Bang Cauliflower recipe is a delicious and easy way to enjoy crispy, spicy cauliflower bites. The cauliflower pieces are battered, baked to perfection, and tossed in a flavourful, sweet and spicy bang-bang sauce.
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I never was this excited about a recipe to share, but this, Ladies and Gentlemen. This spicy cauliflower is SO delicious. Once you try it, you won't stop eating, and you'll want more and more.
These simple, crispy, spicy cauliflower bites are the perfect appetizer or snack for game day, but they can also be your easy midweek dinner idea served over rice. And trust me, your family will love them.
They are crispy outside and nicely soft, a bit crunchy inside, and the sauce is just perfect. It's sweet, sour and spicy.
what is bang bang cauliflower?
Bang Bang Cauliflower is a popular appetiser or side dish featuring breaded cauliflower florets, baked until crispy and tossed in a flavourful bang bang sauce. The sauce is typically a combination of mayonnaise, Sriracha, sweet chilli sauce, and a touch of sweetness like honey, maple syrup or agave nectar, giving it a sweet, spicy, and tangy flavour. But because this recipe is vegan, I've made it with vegan mayonnaise and have used maple syrup instead of honey.
Bang Bang Cauliflower Ingredients
- Cauliflower - I used one large head of cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets.
- Milk - Any non-dairy milk would work with this recipe, but ensure it's unsweetened.
- Flour - I used all-purpose flour.
- Seasonings - salt, pepper, sweet paprika and garlic powder have been added to the batter mix.
- Panko breadcrumbs - I tried this recipe with regular breadcrumbs, too, but Panko will give you more crunch to the cauliflower bites.
For the Bang Bang Sauce you will need
- Mayonnaise - Any dairy-free mayonnaise would work. It will add creaminess to the sauce.
- Sweet chilli - For the sweet and spicy flavours.
- Sriracha - For the extra heat.
- Maple syrup - It balances the flavours.
For the full recipe and quantities, see the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to make this vegan bang bang cauliflower
Firstly, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets and set aside.
Then, start prepping the batter. Mix the soy milk, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce and stir until each piece is coated.
While the cauliflower is baking, whisk together the vegan mayonnaise, Sriracha, sweet chilli sauce, and maple syrup until smooth.
Once the cauliflower is done, let it cool slightly, then toss it in the bang-bang sauce until evenly coated. Then, return it to the oven for another 10 minutes to make it crispy.
Serving suggestions
Vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower is versatile and can be enjoy in many ways. Serve it as an appetiser. Arrange the cauliflower on a platter with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or parsley. Serve with extra bang bang sauce or vegan ranch for dipping.
You can serve it as a main dish over rice, but it would also work well in tacos, tortillas, sandwiches, and salads. Feel free to experiment with different serving ideas to find your favourite way to enjoy this versatile dish.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-free - To make it gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.
- Milk - Any non-dairy milk would work with this recipe. But make sure to use unsweetened ones.
- Maple syrup - You can use agave syrup, honey ( if you're not vegan ) or brown sugar if you don't have maple syrup at home.
- Sriracha - Adjust the level of spiciness in the bang bang sauce by adding more or less Sriracha according to your taste.
More easy recipes you'll love
Spicy Peanut Noodles with Veggies
Easy Vegan Tofu Breakfast Sandwich
Vegan Cauliflower Casserole with Meat-free Mince
Thai Peanut Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Tofu
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Thank you for joining me in the kitchen and trying this delicious recipe! Your feedback means the world to me, so if you loved this dish, don't forget to rate the recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Bang Bang Cauliflower
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These crispy, spicy cauliflower bites are the perfect appetiser or snack for game day, but they can also be your easy midweek dinner idea.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup soy milk
- salt, pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup dairy-free mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sweet chilli
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets and set aside. Then, start prepping the batter. Mix the soy milk, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce and stir until each piece is coated.
- In a second bowl, add the breadcrumbs. Ensure every cauliflower bite is evenly coated, and then transfer them to a paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake them in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy.
- While the cauliflower is baking, whisk together the vegan mayonnaise, Sriracha, sweet chilli sauce, and maple syrup until smooth.
- Once the cauliflower is done, let it cool slightly, then toss it in the bang-bang sauce until evenly coated. Then, return it to the oven for another 10 minutes to make it crispy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetiser, Main dish
- Cuisine: Asian
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Joshua says
Made this with almost all the same ingredients and it was sensational. One head of cauliflower is amazingly a lot and perfect for one batch of the flour mixture. Thanks so much. Perfect app!