Description
Crispy baked cauliflower bites with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, ideal for appetizers or snacks.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cored and cut into florets
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or olive oil cooking spray
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste or minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste or minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon red chili paste or minced chili peppers
- Chopped chives or scallions, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the cauliflower by coring and chopping it into bite-sized florets.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, soy sauce, garlic paste, ginger paste, and red chili paste.
- In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, flour, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
- Dip each cauliflower floret first into the egg mixture, then into the breadcrumb mix, ensuring even coverage.
- Place the coated florets on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
- While baking, mix maple syrup, light brown sugar, and chopped chives in a separate bowl.
- Once the cauliflower bites are golden, remove them from the oven and toss them in the prepared sauce.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
For added freshness, use real garlic and ginger instead of pastes. Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of red chili paste.