Baked Orange Cauliflower
Orange cauliflower is baked to a crisp and is coated in a delicious sticky orange sauce that tastes just like Chinese take out!
Table of Contents
Vegan orange cauliflower
When I say this recipe slaps, I mean it SLAPS. This baked orange cauliflower is coated in batter, rolled in crunchy panko bread crumbs, then tossed in a sweet and sticky orange sauce. Fair warning: these are pop-able and addicting.
This recipe was inspired by the popular Chinese food classic, orange chicken, except it’s made with cauliflower. Don’t worry, you won’t even miss the chicken because it’s just so good!
The cauliflower is dipped in a batter, then rolled in panko bread crumbs. Next, they are baked to a golden, crispy perfection. They are crunchy and just so delicious.
The orange sauce is made simple ingredients and coats the orange cauliflower perfectly. It seeps into every crevice so you get the taste with every single bite.
This orange cauliflower dish is a great way to get a dose of veggies in your kids. I know my kids loved it and went back for seconds and thirds…and you will, too!
Orange cauliflower ingredients
- Cauliflower- Look for a small to medium sized head of cauliflower for this recipe.
- Flour & water- The cauliflower is dipped in a batter made from flour, water, and seasoning.
- Seasoning– Garlic and onion powder will be used for both the cauliflower and the sauce.
- Panko bread crumbs- The cauliflower bites are made crunchy thanks to panko bread crumbs!
Orange sauce
- Orange juice– Grab a small individual bottle of orange juice for this recipe you’ll only need a cup!
- Vegetable broth
- Honey
- Rice wine vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Seasoning– Garlic, onion, ginger, and red pepper flakes make this sauce pop!
Chef’s tips
- Cut the cauliflower into small bites. The cauliflower will cook more evenly and get even crispier when it is cut into smaller pieces.
- Use one hand to dunk in the batter and the other hand for the panko crumbs. I can’t stand getting my hands all goopey, so I use one hand to dunk in the batter, toss the cauliflower in the panko, then switch hands and use my clean hand to pat the panko bread crumbs onto the cauliflower.
- Double the batch of sauce if you are using a large head of cauliflower. The sauce perfectly covers a small head of cauliflower, but if you are cooking for more people and are using a bigger head, make a double batch.
- Eat them right away. This orange cauliflower dish is super delicious when it’s fresh, but it does not refrigerate or reheat well. The coating on the cauliflower will get spongy if it is reheated, so it’s best to enjoy this meal while its fresh’n’hot!
How to make easy orange cauliflower
- Coat the cauliflower. In one bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and water. Add the panko bread crumbs to a separate bowl. Cut the cauliflower into small 1 inch bite sized pieces. Dunk the cauliflower in the batter, shake off the excess, then toss in the panko bread crumbs. Make sure to pat the bread crumbs onto the cauliflower.
- Bake the cauliflower bites. Bake the cauliflower for 20 minutes at 450 degrees.
- Make the sauce. While the cauliflower is cooking, begin to make the sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and let it boil until it has reduced 1/4 of the way.
- Toss the cauliflower in the sauce. When the cauliflower is done cooking, add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir for 1 minute until it thickens. Toss the cauliflower and sauce in a large bowl, then serve! Mangia!
What to serve with orange cauliflower
- Pineapple peach agua fresca would go perfectly with orange chicken since it has that perfect fruity sweetness!
- Oven roasted asparagus is such an easy side dish that is healthy, delicious, and fast cooking.
- Sweet potato and green beans are tossed in a full-bodied olive oil with raw garlic and fresh thyme, then roasted to perfection! These roasted vegetables are healthy and delicious.
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Baked Orange Cauliflower
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Sharp knife
- Parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Small saucepan
- 2 medium sized bowls
Ingredients
- 1 small/medium head of cauliflower
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup almond milk or any kind of nut milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
Orange sauce
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup orange juice (no pulp)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Coat the cauliflower. In a medium sized bowl, comine the flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix it well so it becomes a batter. In a separate medium sized bowl, add the panko bread crumbs. Cut the cauliflower into 1 inch bite sized pieces. Discard the large stalk and green pieces. Dunk one pievce at a time in the batter, then shake off the excess. Toss the battered cauliflower in the panko bread crumbs, then gently press the panko onto the cauliflower. Plate it on the parchment paper lined backing sheet.
- Bake the cauliflower. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake the cauliflower for 20 minutes.
- Make the sauce. While the cauliiflower is baking, make the sauce. Combine the vegetable broth,
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
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