Better Than Takeout Sesame Cauliflower

This delightfully crispy, flavorful, takeout-style sesame cauliflower is truly TO DIE FOR! What makes it better than takeout?! Well, it’s just as delicious, way healthier (baked not fried, refined sugar free, and lower in sodium), less expensive, and ready in 35 minutes! Plus it’s gluten free AND vegan!

Better Than Takeout Sesame Cauliflower

A healthy, gluten free, vegan spin on a classic takeout favorite – sesame chicken! This oven-baked recipe uses a lightly breaded, tender cauliflower instead of chicken.

Course Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine American-Inspired, Asian-Inspired

Keyword Sesame Cauliflower Wings, Spicy Vegan Cauliflower Wings

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Author Jackie

Equipment

Oven
baking sheet
Sauce Pan
Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower cut into medium-sized florets, stems removed

Batter

3/4 cup water or plain plant-milk make sure your plant milk is unsweetened and unflavored
1 cup brown rice flour gluten free, all purpose works well too
1 TBSP liquid aminos or tamari
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup GF breadcrumbs

Sesame Sauce

1/4 cup liquid amino or tamari
1/4 cup sweetener of choice coconut sugar, maple syrup, swerve, agave, etc.
3 TBSP sesame seeds
1 TBSP sesame oil
1 TBSP fresh ginger minced
3 cloves garlic minced
3 TBSP chili garlic sauce
1 TBSP tomato paste
2 TBSP rice vinegar
1 tsp chili flakes optional
1/8 tsp salt and pepper
2 tsp tapioca flour arrowroot powder, or cornstarch combined with 2 TBSP water

To Serve

1 TBSP sesame seeds
3 green onions sliced
2 cup jasmine rice cooked according to package
2 bunches broccolini steamed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with olive oil to coat.
Mix together all ingredients for batter, except breadcrumbs, in a bowl. Batter should be slightly thinner than pancake batter. Add cauliflower florets to bowl and toss to coat.
One by one, remove cauliflower from batter with a fork, letting excess drip off, and transfer to oiled parchment lined baking sheets, being sure not to overcrowd. Sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs. Spray with a very light coat of olive oil. (optional for extra crispiness!)
Bake for 25 minutes until golden and crisp.
Prepare sesame sauce by adding all ingredients except tapioca flour to a small saucepan. Bring to a steady simmer and let thicken. Mix tapioca flour with water and stir into sauce little by little until desired texture is achieved.
Remove cauliflower from oven and let cool for 3-5 min (this step is very important as it prevents the cauliflower from getting soggy!)
Transfer cauliflower to a bowl and toss gently with sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion.
Serve hot with steamed rice and broccolini.

Notes

*This recipe is best eaten right away but can be reheated in the oven (for best results) or the microwave.
* The sauce and batter can be prepped ahead of time.

Good Old Vegan

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