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Close up of crispy, panko breaded cauliflower florets drizzled with bang bang sauce
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5 from 8 votes

Bang Bang Cauliflower

Crispy, crunchy oven baked cauliflower bites with a sweet and spicy Bang Bang sauce. This cauliflower is BANGIN'!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side
Cuisine: American, asian
Servings: 4
Calories: 380kcal
Author: Jessica

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower 4-5 cups cut into 1 inch florets

For the Marinade:

  • 1 tbsp good mayonnaise
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Sriracha
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ cup buttermilk or 1 tbsp buttermilk powder mixed with ¼ cup of water

For the Crunchy Coating

  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil or other neutral oil

For the Bang Bang Sauce

  • ¼ cup good mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tsp Sriracha
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Juice of ½ a lime

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of avocado oil over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs to hot oil and toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. Once the crumbs look golden, quickly remove them from the heat and transfer to a plate to cool completely. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, beat egg, whisk in flour, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tsp Sriracha, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder and buttermilk.
  • Add cauliflower florets to bowl and toss with a spatula or spoon until everything is thoroughly coated, making sure to get the marinade into all the nooks and crannies.
  • Dredge the coated cauliflower florets in the cooled panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure crumbs adhere to all sides.
  • Place breaded cauliflower, evenly spaced, apart onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 18-22 minutes until cauliflower is cooked through.
  • While the cauliflower is in the oven, make the Bang Bang sauce. In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, ½ tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp Sriracha and juice of half a lime.
  • When the cauliflower comes out of the oven, serve immediately with Bang Bang sauce drizzled over the top or on the side for dipping.

Notes

Cauliflower will keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in an airtight container. It will not be as crunchy reheated but I recommend reheating in the toaster oven or on a baking sheet in the oven.
This recipe serves 3-4 as an appetizer or side and 2 for a hearty vegetable main dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 887mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 72mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 3mg