Description
These Golden Crispy Cauliflower Bites are a delicious and healthy appetizer featuring bite-sized cauliflower florets coated in a seasoned batter and crispy panko breadcrumbs, then baked to golden perfection. They’re perfect for a vegan snack or party appetizer, served with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, buffalo, or spicy mayo.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Bites
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to prepare for baking.
- Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until a smooth batter forms with no lumps.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat each floret with panko breadcrumbs for a crispy texture.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the coated cauliflower florets evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to ensure they bake evenly.
- Add oil: Drizzle the coated florets lightly with olive oil or spray generously with cooking spray to help them crisp up during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Serve: Once golden brown and crispy, remove from the oven and serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauces like ranch, buffalo, or spicy mayo for added flavor.
Notes
- For an alternative cooking method, try air frying the cauliflower bites at 400°F (204°C) for 15 to 18 minutes in batches, shaking halfway through for even cooking.
- For an extra spicy twist, toss the baked cauliflower bites in buffalo sauce before serving.
- Ensure the cauliflower florets are dry before dipping into the batter for better adherence and crispiness.
- These bites can be served as a vegan appetizer when paired with plant-based dips.
