Description
Make these Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Bites for a fantastic vegan snack. They are crispy on the outside and coated in a sweet and savory sauce. You will love how simple they are to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying or spraying
- For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
- Toppings:
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) if baking, or prepare your oil for shallow frying.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in the cold water and whisk until a smooth batter forms. It should be slightly thin.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss gently until every piece is fully coated.
- For a crispier bite, lightly dredge the battered florets in the dry cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
- If baking, place the coated florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray lightly with vegetable oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- If frying, heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the florets in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- While the cauliflower cooks, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Place the hot, crispy cauliflower bites in a large bowl. Pour the sesame sauce over them. Toss gently until all the cauliflower is evenly coated in the sticky sauce.
- Transfer the coated bites to a serving plate. Sprinkle immediately with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra crispy baked bites, bake them for 10 minutes, toss them in the sauce, and then return them to the oven for another 5-7 minutes.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch in the slurry slightly.
- Always use cold water for the batter; this helps create a crispier coating when cooked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: Approx. 350
- Sugar: Approx. 25g
- Sodium: Approx. 700mg
- Fat: Approx. 15g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 50g
- Fiber: Approx. 8g
- Protein: Approx. 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg