Published: by Shane Martin · This post may contain affiliate links.
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Bang Bang Cauliflower is a delicious and healthy twist on the classic bang bang shrimp. Crispy cauliflower baked in the oven then tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy vegan mayo sauce. You can bake it in the oven or cook it in an air fryer!
Get ready to party with what is sure to be the most requested appetizer or snack. Ladies and gentlemen – Bang Bang Cauliflower!
If you love crispy things drenched in the flavor fusion of savory, sweet, and spicy, this recipe will have you begging for more. And because they are baked and not fried, you can enjoy guilt-free!
I LOVE this recipe! Not only is it perfect on your party tray or game day menu right beside these Buffalo Cauliflower Wings but it also makes some killer tacos as well. And, that Bang Bang sauce? Oh, don’t get me started!
People don’t realize just how amazing and versatile cauliflower can be. So make sure to try my Sweet Chili Roasted Cauliflower or Blackened Cauliflower Steaks.
What is Bang Bang Cauliflower?
Bang bang sauce is a delicious and popular condiment by the American restaurant Bonefish Grill and its Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer. The sweet and spicy sauce is usually served with various Asian street foods.
It’s perfect for dipping or drizzling on fried delicacies such as chicken, seafood, and vegetables.
My vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower recipe is a much healthier plant-based alternative inspired by the original recipe. These cauliflower wings are coated in crispy panko and generously tossed in my sweet and spicy bang bang sauce, offering a healthy twist on the classic dish!
Jump to:
- What is Bang Bang Cauliflower?
- Bang Bang Cauliflower Ingredients
- What you need to make vegan bang bang sauce!
- How to make vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower
- Can I make these in my air fryer?
- Equipment you’ll need!
- Storage
- Serving suggestions
- More cauliflower recipes you have to try!
- Best Bang Bang Cauliflower
- 💬 Community
Bang Bang Cauliflower Ingredients
Discover the wholesome charm of baked Bang Bang Cauliflower! Nutrient-packed cauliflower, an oil-free crunch coating, and a naturally sweetened Bang Bang sauce create this amazing crunchy and flavorful recipe.
- cauliflower
- organic unbleached all-purpose flour
- corn starch
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- chili powder
- paprika
- white pepper
- salt
- sriracha
- vegan buttermilk (non-dairy milk + apple cider vinegar)
- panko breadcrumbs
What you need to make vegan bang bang sauce!
- Vegan Mayonnaise: use my cashew mayo or tofu mayonnaise
- Maple Syrup: sweet chili sauce is typically used in bang bang sauce, but maple syrup is a more natural choice.
- Sriracha: Sriracha is the ideal combination of taste and spiciness. Adjust the quantity to customize the sauce to your preferred level of heat, whether you prefer it spicier or milder.
- Rice Vinegar: Compared to white distilled vinegar, rice vinegar isless acidic with a delicate, mild, and somewhat sweet flavor.
How to make vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower
Crispy cauliflower bites drenched in a tantalizingly spicy and creamy sauce make this Bang Bang Cauliflower the perfect appetizer or side dish. Once the tedious task of cutting the cauliflower is done you’re ready to bake. Let’s do this!
- Prepare the bang bang sauce by whisking all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Set it in the fridge while you make cauliflower.
- Preheat your oven to 450˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- NOTE: If you haven’t prepared the vegan buttermilk do this now so it can sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Add all of the dry ingredients, except for the panko breadcrumbs, to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Pour in the buttermilk and whisk until it forms a smooth batter.
- OPTIONAL: Stir a little extra sriracha into the batter to add a little kick.
- Place the cauliflower florets into the batter and gently toss stir to coat. Add the panko breadcrumbs to the batter and stir again.
- Set the battered cauliflower on the baking sheet in a single layer, it’s best if they don’t touch, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Remove from cauliflower from the oven, add to bowl, and cover or drizzle with as much bang bang sauce as you like.
Hint: Once the Bang Bang cauliflower wings are finished baking I like to toss them in a bowl with half the sauce. Then add them back to the baking tray and bake for another 1-2 minutes.
Can I make these in my air fryer?
You can use your air fryer instead of baking! However, it will take a little longer because you have to work in smaller batches, but no biggie. Here’s how you do it:
- Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer on/in the air fryer basket or baking tray and cook at 400ºF for 10-15 minutes then turn them over halfway through.
- Drizzle the sauce on top of the wings and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
NOTE: Even if you don’t make these in your air fryer it’s perfect for reheating the leftovers to bring back that “crunch.”
Equipment you’ll need!
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. The good news is you don’t need expensive kitchen things to make this recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need to make sure your Bang Bang cauliflower lives up to its full potential:
Storage
Bang bang cauliflower is best when eaten right after you make it because of the batter and bread crumbs. However, you can store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Keep in mind the texture won’t be the same.
Top tips & substitutions
- Gluten-free: Replace the flour and panko with gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko.
- Flour: Whole wheat flour, white whole wheat flour, or whole wheat pastry flour are great.
- Dairy-free milk: cashew milk, oat milk, and almond milk are all good options.
- Sriracha: I like to stir in a couple of extra tablespoons of sriracha to the batter for a little more kick.
- Tofu: If you don’t have cauliflower tofu is an excellent option. Follow the same instructions.
- Sweetener: Use date syrup can be in place of maple syrup. You can use honey also but is not vegan.
Serving suggestions
- Serve this Bang Bang Cauliflower alongside some steamed white or brown rice with these sweet chili garlic noodles for a delicious takeout meal at home.
- Place it on your party tray with some vegan queso, 7-layer dip, and buffalo tofu wings for an eclectic spread.
- Wrap these delicious bites in a warm corn tortilla with some red cabbage, and chopped green onion, and top with more vegan bang bang sauce. Taco Tuesday will never be the same!
- My favorite to enjoy this recipe is making an incredible sandwich. Place the cauliflower in some crusty whole grain sub roll with some pickled veggies and top with more sauce or sriracha mayo. O…M…G! 🤯
More cauliflower recipes you have to try!
Cauliflower is super versatile and makes some amazing plant-based dishes:
- Vegan Taco Meat
- Vegan Bolognese Sauce With Cauliflower and Walnuts
- Buffalo Chickpea Cauliflower Casserole
- Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad (Vegan)
Best Bang Bang Cauliflower
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
5 from 5 reviews
Bang Bang Cauliflower is a delicious and healthy twist on the classic bang bang shrimp. Crispy cauliflower baked in the oven then tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy vegan mayo sauce. You can bake it in the oven or cook it in an air fryer!
- Author: Shane Martin
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers and Snacks
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
UnitsScale
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup cashew vegan mayo or tofu mayonnaise
- ¼ cup of pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
Cauliflower
- 1 medium head of cauliflower cut into small florets (about 5 cups)
- ¾ cup of organic unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of white pepper
- 1 cup of vegan buttermilk
- Optional: 3 tablespoons of sriracha sauce
- ⅓ cup of panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
Prepare the Bang Bang sauce
- Whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the bang bang sauce in the fridge while you make the cauliflower.
Make the cauliflower
- Preheat your oven to 450˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- NOTE: If you haven’t prepared the vegan buttermilk do this now so it can sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Add all of the dry ingredients, except for the panko breadcrumbs, to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Pour in the buttermilk and whisk until it forms a smooth batter.
- OPTIONAL: Stir a little extra sriracha into the batter to add a little kick.
- Place the cauliflower florets into the batter and gently toss until they are all evenly coated. Add the panko breadcrumbs to the batter and stir again.
- Set the battered cauliflower on the baking sheet in a single layer, it’s best if they don’t touch, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
- OPTIONAL: Once the Bang Bang cauliflower has finished baking toss it in a bowl with half of the Bang Bang sauce. Place the florets back on the baking tray and bake for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from cauliflower from the oven, add to a bowl, and cover or drizzle with as much bang bang sauce as you like.
Notes
- Nutrition info is calculated using cashew mayo.
- Once the Bang Bang cauliflower wings are finished baking I like to toss them in a bowl with half the sauce. Then add them back to the baking tray and bake for another 1-2 minutes.
- Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 308
- Sugar: 14.2 g
- Sodium: 301 mg
- Fat: 8.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 6.3 g
- Protein: 9.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
