Description
These crispy air fryer cauliflower wings coated in a spicy sesame garlic sauce are a delicious, vegan and gluten-free appetizer perfect for any occasion. Featuring a golden, crunchy coating and a flavorful, slightly spicy sesame sauce, these wings offer a healthy alternative that’s sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- ⅔ cup gluten free all purpose flour or regular all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup plain non-dairy milk (almond milk recommended)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup plain gluten free breadcrumbs
Spicy Sesame Sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or neutral oil)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons red chili sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into medium to small florets, ensuring pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, non-dairy milk, garlic powder, and salt until smooth and combined.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Toss the cauliflower florets in the batter to coat evenly, then transfer to another bowl with gluten free breadcrumbs and toss until each piece is fully coated in breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C), which typically takes a couple of minutes depending on your model.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Place half the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370°F for 10 to 13 minutes, depending on desired crispiness. Repeat with the second batch.
- Prepare the Spicy Sesame Sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, heat oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden, then add the grated ginger and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, water or vegetable broth, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, red chili sauce, and sriracha. Whisk to combine well.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small dish, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then pour into the sauce. Bring the mixture to a low boil, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: When both batches of cauliflower are cooked, place them in a large mixing bowl and toss with the thickened spicy sesame sauce until evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy your crispy, flavorful cauliflower wings!
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by modifying the amount of sriracha and red chili sauce according to your preference.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping of the cauliflower wings.
- Use gluten free ingredients to keep the recipe gluten free; regular flour and breadcrumbs can be used if gluten is not a concern.
- For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey in the sauce.
- Serve with extra sauce or a cooling dipping sauce like vegan ranch for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
