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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

5 from 14 votes

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

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

FAQs

What is the best way to eat cauliflower? ›

Here are a dozen ideas for cauliflower that will keep dinner interesting and exciting.
  1. Loaded Cauliflower. ...
  2. Cauliflower Fried 'Rice' ...
  3. Chef John's Cauliflower Pizza Crust. ...
  4. Cauliflower Fritters. ...
  5. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks. ...
  6. Cauliflower Tots. ...
  7. Low-Carb Fauxtato Salad. ...
  8. Cauliflower Popcorn.
Oct 10, 2022

What does cauliflower pair well with? ›

Anchovy, beef, blue cheese, buffalo mozzarella, butter, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, curry, farro, feta cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, pork, quinoa, rice, saffron, tahini, tofu, turkey, turmeric, yoghurt.

Who sells Bang Bang cauliflower? ›

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

How to prepare and cook cauliflower? ›

Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower). For both cooking methods, test regularly with the tip of a knife to make sure they don't overcook.

How is cauliflower best eaten? ›

You can keep more of its nutrients if you steam, roast, or stir-fry it. But boiling it can lower the levels of its B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium. Cauliflower is also a healthy low-carb, gluten-free alternative to legumes and grains.

What does cauliflower do to your gut? ›

Because of its prebiotic fiber content, cauliflower helps feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. “Having a healthy gut microbiome is crucial for your overall well-being, not to mention reducing your colon cancer risk,” Andrews says. Fiber also promotes healthy digestion and helps you have regular bowel movements.

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.

Can we eat cauliflower and egg together? ›

Scrambled eggs with hidden cauliflower rice is my new favorite way to eat eggs for breakfast. Simply cook your riced cauliflower in a small sauté pan before stirring in your eggs (or egg whites). Once cooked, finish with some shredded cheese and serve with fresh fruit and toast.

What is broccoli and cauliflower together called? ›

Romanesco, also known as broccoflower or Roman cauliflower, is a chartreuse, unique-looking vegetable prized for its appearance and mild flavor. It is sometimes assumed to be a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower but is botanically different (although related).

Why is Bang not sold anymore? ›

On October 10, 2022, Bang's parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Three months after Owoc was removed and John DiDonato was named interim CEO of VPX, Monster Beverage reached an agreement for its purchase on June 28, 2023, this was completed one month later.

What flavor is Bang Bang? ›

In traditional recipes, the shredded meat is tossed in a sauce made with sesame paste, chili oil, Sichuan pepper and black vinegar. Fresh herbs are also tossed with it. Variations of the sauce may include chile peppers, peanuts, garlic, ginger and soy sauce. It is traditionally served with julienned cucumbers.

What sweetener does Bang use? ›

Bang has Sucralose (aka Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (aka Ace-K) which are artificial sweeteners. With these two, Bang has been able to keep the sweet taste with no carbs or sugars.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

Why do you add milk to boiled cauliflower? ›

You can keep cauliflower's white color and enhance its sweetness by adding 1 cup of milk when cooking it. Add a cup of milk to the cooking water and bring it to a boil. Add the cauliflower pieces and allow the water to return to a boil; gently boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

What happens when you add lemon juice to water when cooking cauliflower? ›

Keep The Cauliflower White. The pigments in white vegetables like cauliflower and onions will stay white with the addition of an acid such as lemon juice to the cooking water (as long as they are not overcooked).

Is cauliflower healthier 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? ›

Evenly-sized florets: When cutting the cauliflower into florets, aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Steaming for nutrient retention: Steaming preserves the cauliflower's natural flavors and nutrients best. This is the ideal option if you're looking to maximize health benefits.

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.

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