Description
This Bang Bang Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, flavorful vegetarian appetizer featuring breaded cauliflower florets baked to golden perfection and tossed in a creamy, spicy, and tangy Bang Bang sauce made with mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing snack or a satisfying side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- â…” cup milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cauliflower
- 2 pints cauliflower florets
- 1 â…“ cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling)
Bang Bang Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
- 3 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 420°F (215°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp up the breaded cauliflower.
- Prepare Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper until you achieve a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Coat Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret fully into the batter, ensuring all sides are coated for a good base layer that will help the crumbs stick.
- Breadcrumb Coating: Roll the battered cauliflower florets in Panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to help the crumbs adhere evenly and give a crispy texture after baking.
- Arrange and Drizzle: Place the breaded florets on a parchment-lined baking tray, spacing them evenly, then drizzle or lightly brush with olive oil to promote browning.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: While baking, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha sauce, and rice vinegar in a bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined to create the spicy, tangy sauce.
- Toss and Serve: Once baked, transfer the crispy cauliflower to a large bowl and toss thoroughly with the Bang Bang sauce. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.
- You can adjust the amount of Sriracha to tweak the heat level of the sauce.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with a plant-based alternative and mayonnaise with vegan mayo.
- Serve as an appetizer or pair with rice or salad for a satisfying meal.
- Ensure even coating and spacing on the baking tray to allow proper crisping during baking.
