Description
Bang Bang Cauliflower is a crispy, flavorful appetizer featuring tender cauliflower florets coated in a crunchy batter and tossed in a spicy, sweet, and creamy bang bang sauce. This dish is a perfect vegetarian alternative to the classic Bang Bang shrimp, ideal for a snack, appetizer, or party treat. It can be baked or air fried for a healthier twist without sacrificing texture or taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Batter
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional for crispiness)
- Cooking spray (if baking)
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or air fryer: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) if baking, or preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This ensures a hot cooking environment for crispy cauliflower.
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, water, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and olive oil until you achieve a smooth batter with no lumps.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Arrange the coated florets on a greased baking sheet or place them in the air fryer basket. If baking, lightly spray the cauliflower with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
- Cook the cauliflower: Bake the florets in the oven for 25–30 minutes or air fry for 15–18 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. The cauliflower should be golden and crispy when done.
- Make the bang bang sauce: While the cauliflower is cooking, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey (or maple syrup) in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Toss the cauliflower in sauce: Once the cauliflower is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a large bowl and gently toss with the bang bang sauce until each floret is well coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra color and crunch.
Notes
- For a vegan option, use vegan mayonnaise and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to control the spiciness to your preference.
- If baking, using cooking spray helps achieve a crispier texture similar to frying.
- You can double the sauce recipe if you prefer extra coating or leftovers.
- This recipe can be adapted for air fryer or oven depending on your available equipment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes (baking) or 15 minutes (air frying)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
