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Crispy Baked Orange Cauliflower Recipe

Crispy Baked Orange Cauliflower Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 6 reviews

This Crispy Baked Orange Cauliflower recipe offers a delightful blend of crunchy, golden-baked cauliflower florets paired with a zesty, sweet, and tangy orange sauce. Perfect as a vegan or regular option, it’s an excellent gluten-free appetizer or side dish that balances crispiness with vibrant flavors, making it a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional fried dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cauliflower (Regular Version)

  • 1 medium head cauliflower (about 4 cups), chopped into bite-sized florets
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup gluten free all-purpose flour (can substitute regular flour)
  • 3/4 cup gluten free breadcrumbs (can substitute regular breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Cauliflower (Vegan Version)

  • 1 medium head cauliflower (about 4 cups), chopped into bite-sized florets
  • 2/3 cup rice flour
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 cup plain non-dairy milk
  • 3/4 cup gluten free breadcrumbs (can substitute regular breadcrumbs)

For the Orange Sauce

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 teaspoons sriracha
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is hot enough to crisp the cauliflower properly.
  2. Chop Cauliflower: Chop the cauliflower into medium bite-sized florets to ensure even cooking and coating.
  3. Prepare Cauliflower Coating – Regular Version: Whisk the two large eggs together in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, combine gluten free all-purpose flour, gluten free breadcrumbs, and garlic powder. Dip each cauliflower floret into the whisked eggs, then coat it completely with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the coated florets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle any remaining breadcrumbs over the top for extra crispiness.
  4. Prepare Cauliflower Coating – Vegan Version: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rice flour, arrowroot starch, garlic powder, and non-dairy milk to form a thick batter. If needed, add a little more non-dairy milk but keep the batter thick. Toss the cauliflower florets in this batter until well coated, then add the gluten free breadcrumbs and toss again. Spread the coated cauliflower evenly on a parchment-lined baking tray.
  5. Bake Cauliflower: Bake the cauliflower in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Afterward, turn the oven off and leave the cauliflower inside for an additional 5 minutes to further crisp up the coating.
  6. Make Orange Sauce: While baking finishes, finely mince the garlic cloves and sauté them in a small pot with the neutral oil over medium heat until golden and fragrant. Add the freshly squeezed orange juice, light brown sugar, orange zest, low sodium soy sauce or tamari, sriracha, ground ginger, and rice vinegar to the pot. Whisk to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil.
  7. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly add this to the boiling sauce while whisking continuously. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, remove from heat.
  8. Toss Cauliflower with Sauce: After the cauliflower has baked and rested for 5 minutes, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the prepared orange sauce over the cauliflower and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • You can substitute gluten free flour and breadcrumbs with regular flour and breadcrumbs if you are not gluten sensitive.
  • The recipe offers both a regular (egg-based) and vegan (rice flour and non-dairy milk) version for coating cauliflower, choose according to dietary preference.
  • Sriracha heat level can be adjusted or omitted for less spiciness.
  • Using a parchment-lined baking tray helps prevent sticking and allows for easy cleanup.
  • For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet to allow air circulation.
  • This recipe is best served immediately to maintain crisp texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked cauliflower, orange cauliflower, gluten free appetizer, vegan cauliflower recipe, crispy baked cauliflower, healthy cauliflower recipe, orange sauce cauliflower

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/crispy-baked-orange-cauliflower-recipe/