Description
Make crispy, saucy cauliflower bites coated in a sweet and spicy creamy Bang Bang sauce. This recipe uses baking for a simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray or oil for baking
- For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dry coating: In one shallow bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Prepare the wet coating: In a second shallow bowl, whisk together the cold water and panko breadcrumbs until the crumbs are mostly saturated.
- Dredge the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then, press the floret into the panko mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Arrange the coated cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Spray the tops generously with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the florets and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- While the cauliflower bakes, prepare the sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey or maple syrup, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until smooth.
- Once the cauliflower is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the Bang Bang sauce over the hot cauliflower and toss gently until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the coated cauliflower rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute regular mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise in the sauce.
- If you prefer air frying, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 15