Description
This Vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower recipe offers a deliciously crispy and spicy plant-based appetizer or snack. Cauliflower florets are battered and deep-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet vegan bang bang sauce that delivers bold flavors without any animal products. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a perfect dish for entertaining or a flavorful vegan treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Oil for frying (enough for deep frying)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or agave nectar)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat oil in a deep frying pan or pot to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for frying the cauliflower.
- Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, then gradually stir in the non-dairy milk until a smooth batter forms.
- Batter the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure it is fully coated with the mixture.
- Fry the cauliflower: Fry the battered florets in batches for about 3-4 minutes per batch until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the fried cauliflower from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the excess oil.
- Prepare Bang Bang sauce: In a small bowl, mix together vegan mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and maple syrup until well combined.
- Toss cauliflower in sauce: Toss the fried cauliflower in the prepared Bang Bang sauce, coating evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately, optionally garnished with chopped green onions or cilantro for a fresh touch.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness of the Bang Bang sauce by varying the amount of sriracha used.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for optimal crispiness.
- Serve with extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping.
- Leftovers can be reheated in an air fryer to maintain crispiness.
