If you love cauliflower as much as I do, go make these Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Orange Cauliflower and BBQ Cauliflower. Are you ready for a snack or meal that’s exploding with flavor? This vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower is out-of-this-world delicious and packs in some serious savory, crunchy, and bold flavors in every bite! This is one of my favorite recipes to stuff into corn or flour tortillas on Taco Tuesday, but it’s equally as delicious on game day or as an appetizer. If you love the cauliflower + bang bang sauce combination, make sure to check out my Cauliflower Steaks with Bang Bang Sauce.
What’s in bang bang sauce?
Let’s face it: the signature sauce MAKES this dish. Bang bang sauce is made with a simple mix of mayo, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and agave. Just place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk.
How to make bang bang cauliflower
Combine the soy milk and vinegar in a large bowl and let it sit for 1 minute. Next, whisk in the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Place the cauliflower in the bowl and stir until each piece is coated. Pour the breadcrumbs over the cauliflower in the bowl and stir to coat once more. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden. Toss the florets in the bang bang sauce, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes. It’s not totally necessary to return it to the oven, but I prefer it to get them a bit crispier and help the sauce soak in.
Pan Fry Instructions
You can pan fry instead if you want. Add about 1/2 inch of oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Fry a single layer of breaded cauliflower at a time until golden and crispy. Place on a paper towel lined plate and continue until all the cauliflower is fried. Toss in the sauce and serve.
Air fryer instructions
Air frying bang bang cauliflower will take a little longer since air fryer baskets are on the smaller side. Even if you don’t make this recipe in an air fryer, it’s perfect for reheating leftovers and retaining that crispy crunch! Place the breaded cauliflower in a single layer (work in batches) in the air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for about 15 to 25 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through. You can drizzle the sauce on top and cook for another 2 minutes or eat the wings right away.
Tips and substitutions
Gluten free – Replace the all purpose flour with a quality all purpose gluten free flour and the breadcrumbs with gluten free breadcrumbs or cornflake crumbs. Agave – You can use maple syrup if you don’t have agave syrup at home. Soy milk – You can use almond, cashew, or oat milk instead. Just make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored. Instead of cauliflower – You could try it with broccoli florets if you want! Or make my pan fried or baked tofu and mix with the bang bang sauce.
Serving suggestions
One of my favorite ways to eat bang bang cauliflower is in tacos with extra bang bang sauce, lettuce or red cabbage, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions and fresh chopped cilantro. They make for a simple, easy, and super flavorful dinner next to rice and beans and vegan queso dip. It doesn’t stop there. Serve bang bang cauliflower next to your favorite copycat takeout recipes (like vegan beef and broccoli), with fried rice or noodles, or as an appetizer with extra dipping sauce. When it’s game day, serve this saucy snack on a platter with french fries, pizza, and vegan wings. *This recipe was updated April 2024 with improved photos and an easier recipe. The original included making cornflake crumbs instead of panko breadcrumbs, but I found I liked the breadcrumb version better, plus it eliminates a step. I also prefer baking it to pan frying, but the option is still there.
