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Forget boring veggies! Fried cauliflower is here to shake things up. These crispy, golden bites are surprisingly addictive, offering a satisfying crunch on the outside and a tender inside.
This is one of our FAVORITE ways to eat veggies! We love an easy appetizer that’s packed with flavor, and this one delivers. The chili dipping sauce is a perfect pairing!
It’s delicious and makes a great appetizer, side dish, snack, or even a main entree. If you are vegan or vegetarian, fried cauliflower is a wonderful alternative to chicken. You can also use gluten-free flour for those who can’t have it.
For more cauliflower dishes, try Roasted Cauliflower or Cauliflower Fried Rice.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- The dipping sauce! We love to dip these nuggets into our perfectly sweet and spicy chili sauce.
- Seriously satisfying crunch. That golden, crispy exterior and tender center is deliciously addictive.
- For more than vegetations. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this dish. It’s everyone’s favorite way to enjoy veggies!
Fried Cauliflower Ingredients and Substitutions
- vegetable oil – We use vegetable oil, but canola oil or peanut oil work as well.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup water
- 1 head cauliflower – Washed and chopped into florets.
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
How to Make Fried Cauliflower
- PREP. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- SEASON. While the oil is heating, whisk the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Add water and mix until smooth.
- Add part of the florets to the flour mixture and toss to coat.
- FRY. Fry in oil until golden brown. Continue in batches until all the florets are coated and fried. Drain on a paper towel.
- DIPPING SAUCE. Add chili sauce, sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to a large skillet. Heat until warmed through and sugar is dissolved, then toss florets in the sauce.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Rinse the cauliflower well before using; some people like to soak the head of cauliflower in salt water for 20 minutes before rinsing and chopping.
- We prefer the crispness of fresh cauliflower, but frozen cauliflower florets can be used.
- You only need about ¼ inch of oil in the pan, and adjust the heat setting as needed so they fry up cooked through and golden brown.
- We love the sweet chili sauce coating, but other sauces like Buffalo Hot Sauce, BBQ Sauce, or Teriyaki Sauce can be used, or leave them uncoated and dip them in Chipotle Ranch, Artichoke Dip, or Velveeta Spinach Dip.
Fried Cauliflower
Ingredients
- vegetable oil
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup water
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- While the oil is heating, whisk the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Add water and mix until smooth.
- Add part of the florets to the batter and toss to coat.
- Fry in the oil (until golden brown). Continue until all the florets are coated and fried.
- Make the sauce by adding chili sauce, sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to a large skillet. Heat until warmed through and sugar is dissolved, then toss florets in the sauce.
Notes
- Rinse the cauliflower well before using; some people like to soak the head of cauliflower in salt water for 20 minutes before rinsing and chopping.
- We prefer the crispness of fresh cauliflower, but frozen cauliflower florets can be used.
- You only need about ¼ inch of oil in the pan, and adjust the heat setting as needed so they fry up cooked through and golden brown.
- We love the sweet chili sauce coating, but other sauces like Buffalo Hot Sauce, BBQ Sauce, or Teriyaki Sauce can be used, or leave them uncoated and dip them in Chipotle Ranch, Artichoke Dip, or Velveeta Spinach Dip.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Chop the head of cauliflower into florets and mix up the chili sauce. Store in separate containers in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat them in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. If you are in a hurry, you can use the microwave, but they won’t be as crisp.
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This recipe was originally published December 2022.
Followed recipe and all ingredients exactly except used 1 cup flour and added 4 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning, and added extra water for consistency. Served w/Cindy’s Kitchen Spicy Chipotle Aioli I found in Big Y grocery store in the seafood refrigerated section. OMG…this is a keeper! May try adding Panko crumbs next time for a little crunchy texture. Also will try recipe as is when I want an Asian flavor appetizer but I wanted to recreate an appetizer I saw on a bar menu: fried cauliflower tossed in Old Bay seasoning served w/chipotle dipping sauce $11). I paid $1 for a head of cauliflower I found discounted at a farmers market and had all the other ingredients except Chipotle Aioli $4.29 which I will use on other things.