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Overhead shot of cauliflower bites.

Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Sticky Gochujang Sauce

These Crispy Cauliflower Bites, tossed in a sticky, Korean-style gochujang ‘wing’ sauce, are the BEST vegan appetizer or game day party food. This lighter take on fried wings is so good you won’t know you’re eating vegetables!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course appetizer, side dish, Snacks
Cuisine Asian, Korean, Vegan, vegetarian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

Crispy Cauliflower Bites

  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 head cauliflower about 2 pounds, broken into large florets

Sticky Gochujang ‘Wing’ Sauce

  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon Gochujang
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • Optional 1 teaspoon of gochugaru
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon of gochugaru for garnish and added heat

Instructions
 

  • Sift together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, white pepper powder and sea salt. Then, using a whisk, add the water to create a smooth batter.
  • Add the cauliflower and toss to coat.
  • Lift the cauliflower florets out of the batter, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each floret. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Work in batches as necessary.
  • Air fry cauliflower bites for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then remove the cauliflower. If you are working in batches, set the first batch aside and add the second batch of cauliflower to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 minutes, flip and add the first batch of cauliflower back into the basket, air frying for 5 more minutes or until the cauliflower is cooked through and the batter is nice and crisp.
  • Note: for one head of cauliflower, I typically need to work in two batches.
  • While the cauliflower is air frying, make the sticky gochujang sauce.
  • Stir all the sauce ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Then cook in a small frying pan over medium heat until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Toss the cauliflower bites in the sauce, garnish with your choice of cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, or gochugaru.

Notes

I prefer using larger cauliflower florets for this recipe just to help balance the saltiness from the soy sauce.
Keyword crispy cauliflower bites, korean cauliflower bites, vegan, vegetable side dish, vegetarian
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