Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (2024)

Cauliflower has never tasted better! This bang bang cauliflower is a gluten free and vegan take on the popular bang bang shrimp. It’s spicy, perfectly sweet and so easy to make.

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (1)

It’s kind of crazy how many things can be done with cauliflower. Gnocchi, fried rice, pizza crust, wings and these insanely good bang bang cauliflower bites.

This recipe is really simple to make and perfect as an appetizer for a crowd, or simple vegetarian dinner at home.

We’ll be battering and breading the cauliflower florets to give a nice crispy exterior, then loading them up with a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce that’s just 2 simple ingredients!

If you’re unfamiliar with bang bang sauce, it’s a simple recipe made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey and sriracha.

This recipe is vegan, so we’re just leaving out the honey (the sweet chili sauce is plenty sweet if you ask me) and using either vegan mayo or cashew cream in place of regular mayo. It’s sweet, spicy and a total crowd pleaser! Try my orange cauliflower next!

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (2)

How to make bang bang cauliflower

Cut the cauliflower into medium sized florets and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and cornstarch until smooth.

In a second bowl, add the breadcrumbs.

Take one piece of cauliflower, dip it in the batter, let the excess drip off, then roll into the breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Youcanjust add the breadcrumbs to the same bowl as the batter and mix together, but I prefer the texture when it’s done separately.

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (3)

Repeat until all cauliflower has been used. The batter may thicken a bit as it sits, if it gets too thick, just add a splash of milk and whisk.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the cauliflower has browned slightly. After 25 minutes, I usually turn the oven off and let it crisp up for an additional 5 minutes, but it should be done at 25 depending on how large the florets were.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Whisk together all sauce ingredients. Combine the cauliflower with the sauce and serve immediately.

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (4)

How to serve

I generally like to serve this recipe exactly as is as an appetizer, with some chives sprinkled on top.

If you want to make it more of an entree, you can serve it over jasmine rice or my homemade fried rice, and maybe have some teriyaki salmon on the side!

How to store

Unfortunately, baked cauliflower dishes like this one don’t keep well. Once the sauce is added, the cauliflower will slowly start to get soggy, so it’s best to eat them as soon as they’re ready.

If you have some leftovers and don’t want to waste any food, you can add them back into the oven at 425 to get them to crisp up again. Not quite as good as fresh, but better than nothing!

Make in an air fryer!

Follow all of the same steps up until baking. Instead, air fry for about 15 minutes at 400 Fahrenheit or until golden brown. Toss in the sauce afterward and serve immediately.

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (5)

Bang bang sauce tips

There are a few different routes you can take with the bang bang sauce. The first is the more traditional one, which is to use a mixture of (vegan) mayo and sweet chili sauce.

The second is to use my homemade cashew cream in place of the mayo to thicken up the sauce and give it the creamy feel. I’m not a huge mayo fan, so I love this option!

Finally, you can just do without the mayo/cream and keep it simple with the sweet chili sauce. That is a less traditional way, as bang bang sauce is made out of sweet chili sauce and mayo for a creamy and rich flavor.

Also, if you want a bit of a lighter option, you can omit the breadcrumbs entirely. The final recipe will have a different texture, but the rest of the batter will still allow the cauliflower to get plenty crispy and delicious.

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (6)

You’ll also love..

  • BBQ Cauliflower
  • Sesame Cauliflower
  • Buffalo Cauliflower

Be sure to follow along on oninstagramandsubscribe to my email listfor more recipes and updates.Leave a comment and rating belowif you try this recipe and let us know how it turns out!

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (7)

Bang Bang Cauliflower

by: claire cary

Cauliflower has never tasted better! This bang bang cauliflower is a gluten free and vegan take on the popular bang bang shrimp. It's spicy, perfectly sweet and so easy to make.

/ /

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

4

Ingredients

Cauliflower:

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • ¾ cup all purpose flour I used gluten free
  • ¾ cup plain non-dairy milk
  • ½ tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs I used gluten free

Sauce:

  • ¼ cup vegan mayo OR homemade cashew cream (click for recipe) see notes for other options
  • 6 tbsp sweet chili sauce a little more than 1/3 cup
  • 2 tsp sriracha or to taste

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Cut the cauliflower into medium sized florets and set aside.

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and cornstarch until smooth.

  • In a second bowl, add the breadcrumbs.

  • Take one piece of cauliflower, dip it in the batter, let the excess drip off, then roll into the breadcrumbs.

  • Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can just add the breadcrumbs to the same bowl as the batter and mix together, but I prefer the texture when it's done separately.

  • Repeat until all cauliflower has been used. The batter may thicken a bit as it sits, if it gets too thick, just add a splash of milk and whisk.

  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the cauliflower has browned slightly. After 25 minutes, I usually turn the oven off and let it crisp up for an additional 5 minutes, but it should be done at 25 depending on how large the florets were.

  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

  • Whisk together all sauce ingredients. Combine the cauliflower with the sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

Bang bang cauliflower/shrimp traditionally used mayo in the sauce, but there are a few options if you prefer tonotuse mayo. First, my homemade cashew cream works really well! I suggest the savory option if you go this route. Second, just do without! You can omit the mayo entirely and just use the sweet chili sauce. It won’t have the same creamy feel, but it will still be delicious.

This recipe can easily be made without the breadcrumbs if you prefer or don’t have any.

Serving: 6pieces / Calories: 391kcal / Carbohydrates: 63g / Protein: 9g / Fat: 11g / Saturated Fat: 1g / Fiber: 5g / Sugar: 17g

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (8)

Did you make this?

Mention @eatwithclarity or tag #eatwithclarity!

Bang Bang Cauliflower (Best Recipe!) - Eat With Clarity (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat cauliflower? ›

You can steam or blanch it to keep its essential flavors intact, but by roasting or sautéing it, you can bring out its sweetness. Cauliflower will absorb the oil and seasoning, soaking up flavors much the way eggplant does, but it remains firmer. Roasted cauliflower can be served warm or at room temperature.

Who sells Bang Bang cauliflower? ›

Sainsbury's Plant Pioneers Bang Bang Cauliflower 150g | Sainsbury's.

What to have with buffalo cauliflower? ›

The best side dishes to serve with buffalo cauliflower are coleslaw, spinach artichoke dip, chicken wings, cheese curds, fried shrimp, blooming onion, garlic bread, sweet potato fries, Greek salad, cucumber salad, baked mac and cheese, grilled vegetables, and cornbread. Now, let's get cooking!

How many calories is in Bang Bang cauliflower? ›

Wagamama Bang Bang Cauliflower (1 serving) contains 44g total carbs, 41g net carbs, 33g fat, 3.7g protein, and 480 calories.

What does cauliflower do to your gut? ›

Digestion. Cauliflower is high in fiber and water. Both are important for preventing constipation, maintaining a healthy digestive tract, and lowering the risk of colon cancer. Studies have shown that dietary fiber may also help regulate the immune system and inflammation.

What part of cauliflower is not edible? ›

Every part of a cauliflower is edible, even the tough outer skin. However, we do recommend peeling this part before cooking as it's a bit tough to chew.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

What protein pairs well with cauliflower? ›

Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream. Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell.

Is buffalo cauliflower healthier than wings? ›

The good news is that you can keep your heart healthy, without missing out on any of the fun—or flavor—on Super Bowl Sunday by opting for buffalo cauliflower wings instead. Unlike chicken wings, cauliflower is free of cholesterol and low in fat and saturated fat.

Is it better to eat cauliflower raw or cooked? ›

Eating raw cauliflower provides maximum vitamin C content, but cooking cauliflower allows your body to absorb more nutrients, such as vitamin K and potassium. Roasting or steaming cauliflower brings out its natural flavors and adds a delightful texture.

Is it healthier to steam or bake cauliflower? ›

It's easy to cook, which gives it a creamier, nuttier taste that takes on the flavor of whatever you use as seasoning. How you cook cauliflower matters. You can keep more of its nutrients if you steam, roast, or stir-fry it.

Is cauliflower better steamed or boiled? ›

It's best to steam vegetables. If you have a pot that is large enough to steam whole cauliflower or cut up in small pieces. If you boil in water. You will waste vitamins, and flavor.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 6091

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.