Bang Bang cauliflower with crispy panko and creamy chilli sauce
Crispy oven-baked cauliflower tossed in a creamy, sweet and mildly spicy Bang Bang sauce with chilli, lime, soy sauce and garlic. An easy and flavourful vegetarian dish, perfect as a snack, starter, accessories or light dinner.
Bang Bang cauliflower is a crispy, flavourful vegetarian dish in which cauliflower florets are first coated in a simple batter, then covered with panko breadcrumbs and baked in the oven until golden. Finally, the crispy cauliflower pieces are tossed in a creamy Bang Bang sauce with sweet chilli sauce, sriracha, soy sauce, lime and garlic.
The result is cauliflower with plenty of texture and flavour: crispy on the outside, tender inside and coated in a sauce that is sweet, tangy, salty and mildly spicy. This makes Bang Bang cauliflower perfect as a vegetarian alternative to classic snacks, small plates or bowls.
For this recipe, an ONYX COOKWARE™ frying pan or an ovenproof pan is ideal for baking the cauliflower until crispy and golden. You can also use a chef's knife to cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets and a walnut chopping board as a stable work surface.
Tip: Only toss the cauliflower in the Bang Bang sauce just before serving. This helps the cauliflower retain as much of its crispy panko coating as possible.
Bang Bang cauliflower recipe
Serves: 4
Preparation: approx. 15 min.
Baking time: approx. 22-25 min.
Total time: approx. 40 min.
Ingredients for Bang Bang cauliflower
Serves 4 · Ready in approx. 40 minutes
Crispy cauliflower, a light panko coating and a creamy sauce with sweetness, tang, salt and heat.
Cauliflower
Bang Bang sauce
Garnish
Method
Prepare the cauliflower
- Preheat the oven to 220°C.
- Divide the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Try to cut them into roughly equal sizes so they cook at the same time.
- Mix the flour, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl until the batter is smooth and free of large lumps.
Coat and bake the cauliflower
- Put the panko breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
- Toss the cauliflower florets in the batter to coat them on all sides.
- Then dip each piece of cauliflower in the panko breadcrumbs, making sure each piece is evenly coated.
- Spread the cauliflower in an ovenproof pan or on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Make sure the pieces are not too close together.
- Bake the cauliflower for 22-25 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Turn the cauliflower halfway through baking.
Make the Bang Bang sauce and serve
- Mix the sweet chilli sauce, sriracha, soy sauce, lime juice and finely chopped garlic in a bowl.
- Once the cauliflower is baked, gently toss it with the Bang Bang sauce.
- Top with fresh coriander and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately in 4 bowls while the cauliflower is still hot and crispy.
Tips for the best Bang Bang cauliflower
Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets. This makes it easier to get all the pieces crispy and tender at the same time.
Leave a little space between the cauliflower pieces when baking. If they are too close together, they may steam instead of becoming crispy.
Toss the cauliflower in the sauce just before serving so the panko coating stays as crispy as possible.
For a spicier sauce, you can add a little extra sriracha. For a milder sauce, you can use just half a teaspoon.
Frequently asked questions about Bang Bang cauliflower
Here you will find answers to the most common questions about crispy Bang Bang cauliflower, making it easier to create a golden, flavourful and delicious dish.
What is Bang Bang cauliflower?
Bang Bang cauliflower is a vegetarian dish in which cauliflower florets are coated in breadcrumbs, baked until crispy and tossed in a flavourful sauce with sweet chilli, sriracha, soy sauce, lime and garlic.
The dish is inspired by the popular Bang Bang flavour profile, combining sweetness, tang, salt and chilli in a creamy, intense sauce.
How do you make the cauliflower crispy?
To make the cauliflower crispy, it is important to coat the florets evenly with batter and panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter, crispier coating than regular breadcrumbs.
Also make sure the cauliflower is arranged in a single layer during baking. If the pieces are too close together, they may release steam and become less crispy.
Is Bang Bang cauliflower spicy?
This version is mildly spicy, but still mild enough for most people. Sweet chilli sauce provides sweetness, while sriracha adds heat.
You can easily adjust the heat by using more or less sriracha. Start with a little and adjust the sauce to taste if you want to control the chilli heat.
Can Bang Bang cauliflower be made ahead?
The cauliflower is best just after baking, while the coating is still crispy. However, you can prepare the cauliflower florets and mix the sauce ahead of time.
Wait until just before serving to bake the cauliflower and toss it in the sauce. This gives you the best result for both crispiness and fresh flavour.
Bang Bang cauliflower variations
This version is made with cauliflower, panko breadcrumbs and a classic Bang Bang sauce, but you can easily adapt the recipe to taste. For example, try adding a little grated ginger, extra lime or a little honey for a more rounded sauce.
You can also use the same method with broccoli, mushrooms or tofu if you want to vary the dish. The most important thing is to coat the pieces evenly and bake them until golden and crispy.
Serving
Serve Bang Bang cauliflower immediately after tossing the cauliflower in the sauce. Top with fresh coriander and sesame seeds for extra flavour, colour and texture.
The dish works well as a vegetarian snack, starter or light main course. It can also be served in bowls with rice, avocado, cucumber, spring onions and extra lime, or as accessories to Asian-inspired dishes.
