Description

This vibrant Cauliflower in Spicy Orange Sauce is a delightful vegetarian dish that combines crispy air-fried cauliflower florets with a tangy, sweet, and spicy orange glaze. Perfect as a main or side, it’s packed with flavor from garlic, ginger, sriracha, and toasted sesame, offering a deliciously balanced meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower and Coating

1 medium Cauliflower head
80 g Flour (⅔ Cup) (160ml) (all-purpose)
160 ml Milk (⅔ Cup) (or almond milk for vegan option)
½ tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Salt
½ tsp Pepper
75 g Bread crumbs (¾ Cup) (180 ml)
1 tbsp Olive oil

Spicy Orange Sauce

3 cloves Garlic, minced
2 tsp Freshly grated Ginger
60 ml Low sodium Soy sauce (¼ Cup) (or tamari)
80 g Honey (¼ Cup) (60 ml) (or Maple syrup for vegan option)
2 tbsp Vegetable broth (or water)
2 tbsp Toasted Sesame oil
1 tbsp Rice vinegar
60 ml Freshly squeezed Orange juice (¼ Cup)
2 tsp Sriracha sauce
½ tsp Fish sauce (optional)
1½ tsp Cornstarch
2 tsp Water
1 tsp Orange zest
1 tbsp Toasted Sesame seeds
2 tbsp Chopped Scallions

Instructions

Toast Sesame Seeds: Toast the sesame seeds over medium heat in a dry pan until golden and aromatic, then set aside for garnish later.
Prepare Cauliflower: Wash the cauliflower thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized florets. Set aside for coating.
Make Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth to form the batter.
Coat Cauliflower in Batter: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss gently until they are evenly coated.
Bread the Cauliflower: Place the breadcrumbs into another bowl. Dip each batter-coated cauliflower floret into the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to fully cover each piece.
Air Fry the Cauliflower: Arrange the breaded florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in batches. Set the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and cook for 10-13 minutes until golden and crispy. If using an oven, preheat to 200°C (392°F) with air circulation mode and bake, turning halfway, until crisp and golden.
Prepare Spicy Orange Sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden, then add grated ginger and sauté for 1-2 more minutes.
Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), vegetable broth, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, freshly squeezed orange juice, sriracha sauce, and fish sauce (if using). Whisk well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Thicken Sauce: In a small glass, mix cornstarch with water until smooth. Add this mixture to the sauce in the pan and bring it to a low boil, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Once cauliflower is cooked, transfer the crispy florets to a large mixing bowl. Pour the spicy orange sauce over the cauliflower and toss gently to coat all pieces thoroughly.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and orange zest over the coated cauliflower. Serve immediately with steamed rice, noodles, or a fresh side salad for a complete meal.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute regular milk with almond milk and honey with maple syrup.
Fish sauce is optional but adds depth; omit for vegetarian or vegan preferences.
Air fryer cooking time may vary slightly depending on model and size.
Make sure to toast sesame seeds carefully to avoid burning and release maximum flavor.
For extra crispiness, ensure cauliflower florets are coated evenly and do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
The sauce can be adjusted for spiciness by altering the amount of sriracha according to taste.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Keywords: Cauliflower,Spicy Orange Sauce,Air Fried,Vegetarian,Healthy,Asian,Gluten Free option,Vegan option