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4.79 from 19 votes
Bowl of Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Topped with Scallions, Chopsticks on the Side and Bottle of Sriracha in the Background
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Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
This vegan sticky sesame cauliflower is batter dipped and baked (instead of fried!) before being drenched in a sweet and spicy sesame sauce and served over a bed of rice.
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Servings: 4
Author: Alissa
Ingredients
  • 1-2 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 ¼ cups unflavored soy or almond milk
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • 1 large cauliflower crown broken into florets
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. sriracha
  • 1 tbsp. cornstarch
  • ¼ cup cold water
  • 2 scallions chopped
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • cooked rice for serving
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450° (preheating is crucial here, so don't skip it). Use about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to coat the bottom of a large roasting pan or oven-safe skillet.
  2. Stir milk, flour, salt and baking powder together in small bowl. Dip cauliflower florets in mixture to coat, shaking off any excess batter. Arrange in a single layer in roasting pan or skillet.
  3. Bake 10 minutes.

  4. While cauliflower bakes, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic and sriracha in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir cornstarch and water together in a small container until cornstarch is fully dissolved. Add to soy sauce mixture and stir to blend. Bring the sauce back up to a simmer and let it cook until it thickens. Remove from heat.

  5. Remove cauliflower from oven and flip. Lightly brush florets with remaining tablespoon of oil. Return to oven and bake 5 minutes more, until they begin to sizzle and lightly crisp.
  6. Remove from oven and pour sauce over florets. Return to oven and bake 3-4 minutes more, just until sauce becomes very sticky and coasts florets.
  7. Serve over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions.
Recipe Notes

You can also skip the rice and serve the cauliflower as a wing-style appetizer.