Bang Bang Cauliflower
I hope you’re ready for mind-blowing, unbelievable vegan bang bang cauliflower. Breaded and baked florets served with spicy, creamy sauce… What are you waiting for?
The name “bang bang cauliflower” refers to the spicy dipping sauce that packs a punch! It’s perfect for highlighting the natural beauty of cauliflower.
If you loved my bang bang broccoli and the cauliflower wings recipe from the PlantYou cookbook, this is the best of both worlds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These cauliflower florets are not only coated in panko breadcrumbs, they are also baked with a smoky, flavorful mixture of spices.
- The bang bang sauce that comes with cauliflower is so good, you’ll be putting it on everything once you try it.
- Don’t be intimidated by this recipe. I broke it down to make it possible even for complete beginners!
- If you’re having guests over, this is a great appetizer option, both for game day or a fancy dinner.
Key Ingredients
- Cauliflower often gets a reputation as a bland vegetable. However, it takes on flavors super well, and the texture in this recipe is out of this world.
- Plant-based “buttermilk” is easy to make when you know what you’re doing. All you need is plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar.
- All-purpose flour turns your buttermilk into a sticky batter, along with some spices.
- Panko breadcrumbs add the signature crunchy coating, so satisfying!
- Vegan mayo (I used Chosen Foods Vegan Avocado Oil Mayo) is the perfect creamy base for the bang bang sauce. I love the Chosen Foods brand because their company is B Corp Certified, and their vegan mayo is made with awesome ingredients like avocado oil, white vinegar and chickpea protein.
Hack It!
- Use gluten-free flour mix and gluten-free breadcrumbs if you have an allergy to wheat or gluten.
- Any plant-based milk alternative works. Personally, I recommend soy as it curdles best and becomes vegan “buttermilk”.
- The nutritional yeast is optional, giving the breadcrumb coating a hint of cheese flavor. Feel free to skip it.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha depending on your heat tolerance. If you like it really spicy (compared to the rest of your family) you can always whip up a separate batch!
- No cauliflower? Make bang bang broccoli instead!
How to Make Bang Bang Cauliflower
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large bowl, mix the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and leave it for 2 minutes to curdle.
Step 2: Add the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
Step 3: Mix everything together. Make sure there are no flour streaks or clumps of spices.
Step 4: Break or cut the cauliflower into florets. Dip each floret into the batter, and let any excess drip off.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with nutritional yeast. Once battered, coat each cauliflower floret in the panko mixture.
Step 6: On a lined baking sheet, arrange the breaded cauliflower, leaving gaps between them. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: While the cauliflower is in the oven, make the dipping sauce. Add all the bang bang cauliflower sauce ingredients to a small bowl.
Step 8: Whip everything together until smooth. Adjust the spice level as desired.
Step 9: Once the cauliflower is crispy, transfer it from the sheet pan and let it cool for a few minutes. Add chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top.
Step 10: Serve with the bang bang dipping sauce and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
The short answer is yes. Depending on the side of your cauliflower and air fryer, you may just need to do it in two batches to avoid florets from sticking together.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy cold or reheat in the oven until crispy.
Serve crispy cauliflower over a bed of salad or with some rice to make it into a complete meal.
My first choice is always Chosen Foods Avocado Oil vegan mayonnaise.
More Plant-Based Appetizers
Just because you’re eating plenty of fruit and veggies, doesn’t always mean your nutritional criteria is met. I have recently collaborated with an amazing women-led supplement company to create a multinutrient aimed at plant-based and plant-centered eaters. With Complement x PlantYou Essential, thriving on a vegan diet has never been easier!
The Recipe: Bang Bang Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, medium, cut into florets
Vegan Buttermilk Batter
- 1 cup non-dairy milk, unsweetened
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Breading
- 1 cup panko
- 1 tsp nutritional yeast, optional
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayo
- 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha, adjust to taste
- 1 tsp maple syrup, or agave
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Garnish
- green onions or scallions, chopped
- sesame seeds
Equipment
- 2 shallow bowls for the batter and breadcrumbs
- 1 Small bowl for bang bang sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- In a large bowl, mix the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit for 2 minutes to create a vegan "buttermilk." Add the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix until smooth.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting any excess drip off. Then coat the floret in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the breaded cauliflower onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
- While the cauliflower bakes, mix the sauce ingredients until combined.
- Once the cauliflower is crispy, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve immediately tossed in sauce with green onion or scallions over top. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour mix and gluten-free breadcrumbs if you have an allergy to wheat or gluten.
- Any plant-based milk alternative works. Personally, I recommend soy as it curdles best and becomes vegan “buttermilk”.
- The nutritional yeast is optional, giving the breadcrumb coating a hint of cheese flavor. Feel free to skip it.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha depending on your heat tolerance. If you like it really spicy (compared to the rest of your family) you can always whip up a separate batch!
- No cauliflower? Make bang bang broccoli instead!