Description
These Sweet and Sour Cauliflower Wings are a crispy, flavorful vegan appetizer or snack baked to perfection and coated in a tangy, homemade sweet and sour sauce. They're a perfect gluten-free and plant-based alternative to traditional wings, offering a delightful combination of crunch and vibrant sauce that’s sure to satisfy any palate.
Ingredients
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free or regular)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¾ cup unsweetened vegan milk (any kind)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (seasoned with salt & pepper, gluten-free if needed)
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ½ cup sugar (cane sugar preferred, brown or granulated okay)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup vinegar (preferably rice or white)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free, liquid aminos, or tamari)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (slurry)
Garnish
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
- Chopped scallions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silicone baking mat or greased foil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Using a knife, remove the leaves and stems from the cauliflower and chop the florets into wing-sized pieces.
- Make Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, vegan milk, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Adjust thickness as needed by adding more milk or flour to achieve a coating consistency.
- Coat Florets: Toss the cauliflower pieces thoroughly in the batter until evenly coated. Then transfer them to the bowl with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and coat fully, working in batches if necessary.
- Bake Initial Wings: Arrange the coated cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet with space between them and bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Prepare Sweet and Sour Sauce: While the wings bake, combine sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, soy sauce, garlic powder, and cornstarch slurry in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a slight boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes until thickened, stirring frequently to avoid lumps. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Toss Wings in Sauce: Remove the wings from the oven and toss gently with the prepared sweet and sour sauce to coat evenly.
- Final Bake: Place the sauced wings back onto the baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the sauce to soak in and set.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust the batter consistency to ensure the florets are nicely coated but not overly thick.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add extra cornstarch slurry one teaspoon at a time until desired thickness is reached.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated to get crisp cauliflower wings.
- This recipe is vegan and suitable for a plant-based diet.
- The size of cauliflower florets affects cooking time; try to keep them uniform for even baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American