Description
These Sticky Sesame Vegan Cauliflower Wings are a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional chicken wings. Crispy baked cauliflower florets are coated in a flavorful maple ginger sesame sauce, making them perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party dish. Gluten-free and vegan-friendly, these wings combine a crunchy texture with a sticky, tangy, and sweet sauce for an irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 head of cauliflower (regular, may have to double for a large head)
- 1 cup all purpose gluten free flour mix (or regular flour if not gluten free)
- 1 cup non-dairy milk (unsweetened or original flavour)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (1 teaspoon if very spicy, omit if no spice)
- 2 cups crispy/panko gluten free breadcrumbs
Maple Ginger Sauce
- ⅔ cup maple syrup (10 tablespoons)
- 6 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (cornstarch slurry)
- ½ cup water
For Garnish
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (230°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silicone baking mat or greased foil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Remove florets from the cauliflower head by cutting off leaves and discarding stems. Chop into smaller pieces resembling the size of wings.
- Make Batter: In a bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, non-dairy milk, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust thickness by adding more milk if necessary.
- Coat Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower florets in the batter until fully coated. Transfer florets to another bowl with gluten-free breadcrumbs and coat them thoroughly. Place the coated wings spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all wings are coated.
- Bake Wings: Bake cauliflower wings in the preheated oven for 22 minutes to achieve a crispy texture. Ensure your oven is fully preheated for best results.
- Make Maple Ginger Sauce: While baking, combine maple syrup, low sodium soy sauce, sesame seeds, black pepper, ground ginger, water, and cornstarch slurry in a pan over medium-high heat. Whisk continuously until mixture boils, then reduce to simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and allow sauce to cool.
- Coat Wings in Sauce: Remove baked cauliflower wings from oven and gently toss in the cooled maple ginger sauce to coat evenly. Use a spatula or tongs for best coverage.
- Second Bake: Place the coated wings back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes to let the sauce soak into the wings.
- Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped scallions and additional sesame seeds, and serve immediately. Enjoy your sticky sesame vegan cauliflower wings!
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools; ensure it is cool before tossing with wings to prevent sogginess.
- For crispier texture, make sure the oven is fully preheated before baking.
- This recipe yields approximately 10 servings and works well as a party appetizer or snack.
