Crunchy Cauliflower Bites Bonanza
Crispy and tasty! Try our vegan baked cauliflower bites—a plant-based snack that’s sure to please. These bites are seasoned well, baked until golden, and packed with great flavour. They’re perfect for vegans or anyone who wants more veggies.
If you need a healthy low-carb game-day snack for Super Bowl Sunday, try these oven-baked Cauliflower Bites.
They might not taste like chicken wings, but they’re definitely healthier and just as spicy and delicious! This easy recipe uses simple ingredients that will impress your friends.
Need more side ideas? Try gorgonzola pears for a sweet and tangy bite. Add roasted eggplant with yoghurt for a creamy taste. Potato wedges are a crispy classic, and deviled eggs are a fun appetizer.
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Consider these as a low-calorie, vegetarian alternative to chicken nuggets. These crispy baked cauliflower bites are tasty, simple to prepare, and full of nutrients.
Watch Us Make The Recipe
Looking for more? Check out these Dinner Recipes!
Why this recipe works
I love how these cauliflower bites are a fantastic vegetarian alternative to crispy battered meat. They pack in veggie goodness while still tasting great. Plus, they’re healthy because you get nutrients from the cauliflower, and they’re baked for a crispy crunch instead of being deep-fried.
Expert Tips
Use fresh cauliflower for the best texture and flavour.
Coat evenly to ensure every bite gets crispy.
Don’t overcrowd the pan—this helps them bake evenly and stay crispy.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower: A healthy veggie that’s low in calories and carbs, and packed with fibre and nutrients.
- Flour: Provides a crispy coating. Use all-purpose or gluten-free flour.
- Seasonings: Add garlic powder, Italian herbs, paprika, and black pepper. Adjust salt to your taste.
- Milk or Vegan Alternative: Helps the batter stick to the cauliflower.
- Corn Flakes: Crushed cornflakes add extra crunch.
Substitutions
- Medium cauliflower: Use broccoli or chickpeas.
- Flour: Try gluten-free flour or almond flour.
- Garlic powder: Substitute with fresh minced garlic or onion powder.
- Italian herbs: Use dried oregano or herb mix.
- Paprika: Replace with cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.
- Black pepper: Try white pepper or cayenne pepper.
- Salt: Use sea salt or herb salt.
- Milk or vegan alternative: Substitute with almond milk or oat milk.
- Corn flakes crushed: Use panko breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal.
How to make cauliflower bites
To make these cauliflower bites, you’ll need to tackle two main steps. First, prepare the batter to coat and crisp up the cauliflower. Second, apply a cornflake coating for an extra crunch and bake.
Check out our handy guide with step-by-step photos to help you along the way and make the most of these cauliflower bites!
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the batter until evenly blended. The mixture will be thick, almost like a paste.
You can simply toss the cauliflower into the bowl and stir to ensure it’s well-covered.
Coat each piece of battered cauliflower individually with crushed cornflakes to minimize excess batter.
Place them on a baking sheet and spread them out so they bake evenly and stay crunchy. Bake until crispy and golden brown.
Serve these vegan baked cauliflower bites as an appetizer or snack. Enjoy them on their own or with your favourite dipping sauce.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Dipping Sauce Ideas
For dipping your cauliflower bites, you can’t go wrong with classic options like ranch dressing or BBQ sauce. If you’re in the mood for a bit of heat, try sriracha mayo. For something fresh and zesty, honey mustard is a great choice.
You can opt for a healthier dipping sauce and even make it at home. Choose one from the list below:
Greek Yogurt Dip – Mix plain Greek yoghurt with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for a creamy and protein-packed option.
Hummus – Classic hummus or flavoured varieties like roasted red pepper or garlic add a nutritious touch.
Avocado Lime Dip – Blend avocado with lime juice, a pinch of salt, and a bit of garlic for a fresh and creamy dip.
Spicy Salsa – Opt for a fresh salsa made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a bit of chilli for a low-calorie, flavorful option.
Cucumber Dill Dip – Combine Greek yoghurt with finely chopped cucumber and dill for a refreshing, light dip.
Chimichurri Sauce – This herb-based sauce made with parsley, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil offers a zesty hint and a boost of antioxidants.
Lemon-Tahini Dip – Mix tahini with lemon juice, a bit of garlic, and water to thin it out for a rich yet healthy dip.
Spicy Cilantro Lime Sauce – Blend cilantro, lime juice, a touch of olive oil, and chilli flakes for a zesty, low-calorie dip.
FAQs
1. How can I make these bites spicier? To add more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the batter.
2. Can I make these bites gluten-free? Absolutely! Use gluten-free flour and ensure your cornflakes are gluten-free to make this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.
3. What can I serve these bites with? These bites are great on their own or with dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ sauce, or a spicy aioli.
4. Can I use an air fryer for this recipe? Yes, you can use an air fryer. Preheat it to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the cauliflower bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.
Storage
These bites are best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispiness. When stored, the middle may become soggy and less crisp. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven to restore some crunch.
More cauliflower recipes
- Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt and Chimichurri
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Creamy Tahini Sauce
- Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Hummus
Looking for more? Check out +54 Best Mains Easy Recipes!
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Crunchy Cauliflower Bites Bonanza
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower
- 1 cup 150 g flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup 250 ml milk or a vegan alternative
- 2 cups 200 g crushed cornflakes
Optional: add sesame seeds to the batter.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the cauliflower by removing the leaves and cutting it into bite-sized florets. Wash them thoroughly and set them aside.1 medium cauliflower
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, Italian herbs, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian herbs, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, Salt to taste
- Add the milk (or vegan alternative) and the flour and mix until a smooth batter forms.1 cup 250 ml milk or a vegan alternative, 1 cup 150 g flour
- In a plastic bag, crush the corn flakes into smaller pieces, but not too fine. You can use a rolling pin or your hands for this. I used my Thermomix Tm6 and the job was done in 3 seconds.
- You can simply toss the cauliflower florets into the bowl and stir to ensure it’s well-covered. Coat each piece of battered cauliflower individually with crushed cornflakes to minimize excess batter.2 cups 200 g crushed cornflakes
- Place the coated cauliflower bites onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece.
- Once all the cauliflower florets are coated and arranged on the baking sheet, lightly spray or drizzle them with cooking oil to promote browning and crispness.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and the coating is crispy and golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the cauliflower bites from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the vegan baked cauliflower bites as an appetizer or snack. They can be enjoyed as is or with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Note: Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. You can also add additional spices or herbs to enhance the flavor. Enjoy your delicious vegan baked cauliflower bites!
