Experience flavour like never before with these crispy Bang Bang Cauliflower Bites! Perfectly sweet & spicy, these plant-based delights are a must-try snack!
Hey there, plant-based cooking enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on a flavour-packed journey with me?
Today, I'm excited to share with you one of my all-time favourite recipes: Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Bites.
These little bites of heaven are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and easy to make.
So, grab your apron and let's dive into the wonderful world of cauliflower bites!
Understanding the Versatility of Cauliflower
Let's start by talking about why cauliflower has become such a beloved ingredient in the world of plant-based cooking. One word: versatility. Cauliflower is like a blank canvas, ready to absorb any flavour you throw at it. Plus, it's packed with nutrients and low in calories, making it a guilt-free snack option.
Think about these beautiful Cauliflower Hot Wings, Vegan Cauliflower Cheese or Purple Cauliflower in Smoky Teriyaki Sauce, they all use cauliflower florets for a go-to easy comfort food or snack.
But the beauty of this vegetable is indeed its versatility. By blending its florets and stem you can create a plant-based oil free "cream" to make one of the most Iconic Italo-American dishes: Alfredo Pasta, or an eye catching Cake Pie with the filling of your choice.
And for a true showstopper you can use it whole with the right spice blend to create something massively crowd-pleasing like this Roasted Cauliflower Wellington: a perfect centrepiece for any roast dinner!
Now, why cauliflower bites specifically? Well, for starters, they're a healthier alternative to traditional fried snacks. By baking or air frying the cauliflower instead of deep-frying it, you get that crispy texture without all the extra oil, like we've seen in these Spicy Cauliflower Tacos. Plus, cauliflower's mild flavour makes it the perfect canvas for bold and exciting flavours, like sweet and spicy.
The Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower Bites
Let's get down to business: the recipe for Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Bites. Here's what you'll need.
Ingredients:
..for the Cauliflower..
1 head Cauliflower
2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 Red Onion
...Spicy Bang Bang Sauce...
100 g Siracha Sauce
50 g Vegan Oyster Sauce
50 g Yakitori Sauce* (see below for homemade)
6 tablespoon Syrup (maple, golden..)
3 tablespoon Sweet Chilli Sauce
2 tablespoon Vegan Fish Sauce
2 tablespoon Dried Chili Flakes
...Homemade Yakitori Sauce*...
6 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Sake
1 tablespoon Mirin
1 teaspoon Sugar
...to garnish...
Fresh Ginger
Fresh Coriander
Fresh Red Chilli Pepper
Method:
1. First, preheat your oven to 200°C - 390°F (or if you're using an air fryer, preheat it according to the manufacturer's instructions).
2. While the oven/air fryer (recommended) is heating up, prepare the cauliflower florets by cutting them into bite-sized pieces and wash them carefully under running water.
3. Toss the cauliflower florets with vegetable oil and spread them on a tray/air fryer basket forming only one layer. Bake for 25 minutes in the over or 15 in the air fryer.
4. Meanwhile thinly slice the red onion.
5. After the first baking time flip the cauliflower florets and spread the red onion slices on top of them. Bake for another 10-15 minutes in the oven and 5 in the air fryer (or until cauliflower turns fork tender and onions are soft/caramelized).
6. For the homemade Yakitori Sauce: mix the sake, mirin, soy sauce and sugar together until the sugar is fully dissolved.
7. Mix the Yakitori sauce, vegan oyster sauce, siracha, vegan fish sauce, dried chili flakes, syrup of your choice and sweet chilli sauce in a large bowl.
8. Transfer the sauce to a pan and heat it up until it starts bubbling.
9. Combine the roasted/air fried cauliflower bites and onion slices to the pan and toss into the sauce until generously coated.
10. Serve the vegan bang bang cauliflower bites garnished with ginger sticks, fresh coriander leaves and red hot chilli pepper slices.
Tips for Success
Now, let's talk about some tips for making the perfect Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Bites. First and foremost, make sure your cauliflower florets are dry before dipping them in the batter. Excess moisture can prevent the batter from sticking properly, resulting in soggy cauliflower bites.
Second, don't be afraid to play around with the seasoning. If you like things extra spicy, add more hot sauce. If you prefer a milder flavor, go easy on the spices. Cooking should be fun and adaptable to your taste preferences!
Serving Suggestions
Once your Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Bites are out of the oven and smelling absolutely divine, it's time to think about when you want to serve them.
That's right, because you can easily prepare this recipe in advance, getting both cauliflower cooked and sauce prepared and simply give it the pan step last minute, whenever you want to serve them. Because it's better to taste these gorgeous bites freshly tossed in the bubbling sauce.
Any leftovers?
No worries. Vegan bang bang cauliflower bites can be easily stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for a few days. And if they are already coated in the spicy sauce simply reheat them in the microwave for a couple of minutes before serving them again!
Leftover roasted cauliflower can be also used to make recipes like this Mangalorean Curry, Cauliflower Kung Pao, or simply topped with a vegan cheese sauce to make a quick Cauliflower Cheese.
Leftover sauce can be used to spice up your Asian dishes, especially noodles.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower
Before we wrap things up, let's take a moment to appreciate the health benefits of cauliflower. Not only is it low in calories, but it's also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, it contains antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage. So, you can feel good about indulging in these Bang Bang Cauliflower Bites!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Bites are the ultimate plant-based side dish that hits all the right notes: crispy, flavourful, and oh-so-satisfying.
So, what are you waiting for? Get into the kitchen and whip up a batch of these irresistible Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Bites. Your taste buds will thank you!
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