Crispy Sesame Cauliflower Bites With Big Crunch Recipe
Crispy Sesame Cauliflower Bites with a big crunchy texture are a delightful vegetarian appetizer or snack. This recipe features cauliflower florets coated in a crispy batter, either baked or fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a flavorful sesame garlic sauce. It’s a perfect combination of crunch and savory-sweet glaze, garnished with sesame seeds to add extra texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cauliflower:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup oil for frying (omit if baking)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
For the Sauce:
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil or vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower Batter: In a large shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the two eggs until smooth. Dip each cauliflower floret into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the flour mixture ensuring an even batter coverage.
- Cook the Cauliflower (Choose Baking or Frying): Baking: Preheat the oven to 420°F (215°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Arrange the coated cauliflower florets on the tray in a single layer. Lightly spray them with cooking spray or drizzle a small amount of oil over them. Bake for 30 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through to ensure crispness on both sides.
Frying: Heat 1 cup of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Fry the cauliflower in small batches for 3 to 5 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once fried, place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. - Prepare the Sesame Sauce: Heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil or vegetable oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger (if using), and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in honey (or sugar), rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), soy sauce, water, and cornstarch. Whisk continuously and bring to a boil until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy and smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Place the cooked cauliflower bites in a large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared sesame sauce over them and toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish and serve immediately to enjoy the big crunch texture.
Notes
- You can choose to bake the cauliflower bites for a healthier version or fry for extra crispiness.
- Make sure to flip the bites halfway through baking to ensure they crisp up evenly.
- Fresh ginger adds a nice depth of flavor in the sauce but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Adjust sweetness in the sauce by varying honey or sugar amounts to taste.
- Use gluten-free flour and tamari soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Serve immediately once coated with sauce to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: Crispy Cauliflower Bites, Sesame Cauliflower, Vegetarian Appetizer, Asian Inspired Snack, Baked Cauliflower Recipe, Fried Cauliflower, Sesame Sauce, Healthy Snack
