Hot Sauce Cauliflower Bites with Cooling Dip
In short: Battered cauliflower florets air-fried until crisp, tossed in a hot sauce glaze and served with a creamy chive dip and celery sticks. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
A thin batter of flour, plant milk and spices crisps up around cauliflower florets in the air fryer, and a quick toss in hot sauce and melted vegan butter gives them a bar-snack heat. A cool dip of vegan mayonnaise, yogurt and chives tames the spice. Each batch needs about 15 minutes of cooking, and the bites are best eaten right away while the coating is still crunchy. The oven works too if you do not have an air fryer.
Instructions
- Heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Whisk the flour, plant milk, garlic powder, paprika and salt in a large bowl into a smooth, thick batter.
- Add the cauliflower florets and toss until each one is lightly coated, shaking off any excess batter.
- Arrange the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in two batches. Spray or brush lightly with oil.
- Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the coating is golden and crisp and the florets are tender.
- Stir the hot sauce, melted vegan butter and maple syrup together in a large bowl. Add the hot bites and toss to coat.
- Mix the dip ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve the bites immediately with the dip and celery.
Tips
- Do not crowd the basket. The florets need space for hot air to crisp the coating, and crowding makes them soft.
- To bake in the oven, spread the coated florets on an oiled tray and cook at 230°C (450°F) for 25 minutes, turning once. Toss in the sauce at the end as above.
Questions and answers
How do I keep the cauliflower bites crispy?
Toss them in the sauce only just before serving, and eat them immediately. Serve the sauce on the side if you want them to stay crisp for longer.
Can I make the bites less spicy?
Yes. Use a mild hot sauce or dilute the glaze with extra melted vegan butter and a little more maple syrup. Serve more of the cooling dip.
Can I reheat leftovers?
Yes. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven at 200°C (400°F) for 5 to 8 minutes to bring back some crispness. They will not be as crunchy as fresh.
How long does it take to make Hot Sauce Cauliflower Bites with Cooling Dip?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hot Sauce Cauliflower Bites with Cooling Dip?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
