Description
Sesame cauliflower wings bring crispy Asian-inspired magic from your air fryer to dinner plates. Crunchy florets glazed with sweet-tangy sauce offer plant-based deliciousness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
Coating Ingredients:
- ⅔ cup (80 g) gluten-free all-purpose flour or regular all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) plain non-dairy milk (such as almond milk)
- ¾ cup (60 g) gluten-free breadcrumbs
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Spicy Sesame Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) gochujang
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (optional for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Transform fresh cauliflower into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent cooking.
- Craft a smooth, creamy batter by blending flour, non-dairy milk, garlic powder, and salt until fully integrated.
- Thoroughly coat each cauliflower piece in the prepared batter, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roll the battered florets in breadcrumbs, creating a crisp, even outer layer that will provide delightful texture.
- Warm the air fryer to 370°F, preparing for precise, oil-free cooking.
- Arrange half the cauliflower pieces in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote optimal crispiness.
- Cook for 10-13 minutes, midway interrupting the process to shake the basket and guarantee uniform browning.
- While the first batch cooks, create the sauce by gently sautéing minced garlic until delicately golden.
- Incorporate freshly grated ginger, allowing its aromatic essence to release and enhance the sauce’s complexity.
- Combine soy sauce, honey, water, sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang, and sriracha, stirring to meld the diverse flavor profiles.
- Prepare a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, whisking until smooth and lump-free.
- Introduce the slurry into the simmering sauce, continuously stirring until the mixture reaches a luxurious, glossy consistency.
- Generously coat the crispy cauliflower wings with the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly dressed.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions, adding visual appeal and additional layers of flavor.
Notes
- Ensure cauliflower florets are roughly the same size for even cooking and consistent crispiness.
- Shake the air fryer basket midway through cooking to guarantee uniform browning and prevent sticking.
- Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy sauce consistency.
- Let the sauce simmer and thicken naturally, stirring continuously to prevent burning or uneven texture.
- Serve immediately after coating wings in sauce to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent sogginess.
- Customize heat level by adjusting gochujang and sriracha quantities to suit personal spice preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes (per batch)
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg