If you are looking for a dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and a touch of spice, let me introduce you to the delightful Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe. This recipe transforms humble cauliflower into a sticky, crispy, and utterly irresistible snack or meal component that even meat lovers won’t be able to resist. The cauliflower is coated in a light, crispy batter, baked to perfection, and then generously coated with a luscious sesame sauce bursting with bold flavors. Every bite offers a wonderful combination of textures and tastes, making this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknights or special occasions alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is quick and easy, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and vibrant color in your Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe. From the crispy batter to the rich and tangy sauce, every component elevates this dish to something truly special.
- All-purpose or gluten-free baking flour: Provides the base for the crispy, airy batter that snuggles the cauliflower perfectly.
- Baking powder: Adds lightness and helps create a delightful crunch.
- Nutritional yeast: Brings a subtle cheesy and savory depth while keeping it vegan.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the batter with a gentle savory punch.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor in the dish, balancing the sweet and tangy notes.
- Plant-based milk (almond milk suggested): Moistens the batter while keeping the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Medium head cauliflower (around 6 cups of florets): The star of the show, sturdy and perfect for baking.
- Tomato paste: Adds richness and a subtle tang to the sticky sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Injects a mild acidity that brightens the overall flavor.
- Tamari or soy sauce: Offers a deep umami backbone for the sauce.
- Maple syrup: Brings just the right amount of natural sweetness to create the signature ‘sticky’ glaze.
- Sriracha: A touch of heat that livens up the sauce without overpowering it.
- Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the sauce to a glossy perfection.
- Water: Used to create the cornstarch slurry for the sauce.
- Sesame oil: Infuses the sauce with a toasty, nutty flavor that’s absolutely addictive.
- Large onion, diced: Adds a sweet aromatic base for the sauce.
- Minced garlic (2 cloves): Intensifies the savory foundation of the sauce.
- Freshly grated ginger (2 tbsp): Brings a warm, zesty spark that pairs beautifully with the sesame.
- Sesame seeds (¼ cup): Sprinkled on top for texture, nuttiness, and visual appeal.
How to Make Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (400 F) and lining a baking tray with parchment paper. This ensures a non-stick surface so your cauliflower crisps up nicely without sticking to the tray.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and plant-based milk until you achieve a smooth, lump-free batter. This mixture will coat your cauliflower, giving it a crispy, flavorful crust once baked.
Step 3: Prepare the Cauliflower
Trim your cauliflower into bite-sized florets—about 6 cups total—making sure they’re uniform for even cooking. This vegetable star soaks up the batter and sauce beautifully while retaining a slight crunch after baking.
Step 4: Batter and Bake
Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s evenly coated, then carefully arrange them on your prepared baking tray. Bake for 25 minutes until the batter turns golden and the florets become tender with a crispy exterior.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
While the cauliflower bakes, whisk together the tomato paste, rice vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup, and Sriracha in a bowl. Separately, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry that will thicken the sauce perfectly.
Step 6: Cook the Sauce
In a pan, sauté the diced onion, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger in sesame oil until fragrant and translucent. Pour in the sauce mixture and cornstarch slurry, cooking and stirring until it thickens into a glossy, sticky coating that will envelop the cauliflower.
Step 7: Combine and Coat
Once the cauliflower is out of the oven, toss it gently in your freshly made sauce so every floret is generously coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds just before serving to add that irresistible nutty crunch and eye-catching finish.
How to Serve Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds is a must, but feel free to add sliced green onions or chopped fresh cilantro to brighten the dish even further. A few red pepper flakes can also make a beautiful, spicy contrast.
Side Dishes
This Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa to soak up the sauce. For a vibrant, crunchy contrast, serve alongside a simple cucumber salad or lightly pickled vegetables.
Creative Ways to Present
To really impress, serve the cauliflower on a bed of wilted greens such as bok choy or kale. You can also pile it into lettuce cups for a fun, handheld option. For a party, offer it as a shareable appetizer with toothpicks and a side of extra sauce for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Sticky Sesame Cauliflower refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The cauliflower will soften slightly but the flavors remain vibrant, making for excellent next-day enjoyment.
Freezing
If you want to save this dish for longer, you can freeze baked cauliflower florets before saucing. Lay them out on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. The sauce is best made fresh, so prepare it just before serving after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat for the best texture, stirring gently to coat the florets in the sauce again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to soften the crispiness.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend. It will maintain the crunchy batter texture without compromising flavor.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes a moderate kick from Sriracha, but you can easily adjust the heat to your liking by adding more or less, or omitting it altogether for a milder version.
Can I use fresh cauliflower stems too?
Yes, feel free to include trimmed fresh cauliflower stems cut into bite-sized pieces. They add extra texture and reduce food waste.
What’s the best plant-based milk for this recipe?
Almond milk works beautifully, but any unsweetened plant-based milk like oat or soy milk will do. Avoid sweetened varieties to keep the flavors balanced.
Can I bake instead of frying the cauliflower?
This recipe is designed for baking to keep it lighter and healthier, and it yields a wonderfully crispy result without the mess of frying. Just be sure to preheat the oven properly.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe a try and discover just how delicious and rewarding plant-based cooking can be. Its mouthwatering sticky glaze and crisp-tender texture make it a new favorite in my kitchen, and I know it will be in yours too. So grab that head of cauliflower and get ready for some sticky, sesame-coated magic!
Print
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe) Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, Asian-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Sticky Sesame Cauliflower recipe is a delicious vegan dish featuring crispy baked cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful sticky sesame sauce. Perfect as a main or side, it combines a light, crispy batter with a sweet, tangy, and spicy glaze made from tamari, maple syrup, and sriracha. The dish is enhanced with sautéed onions, garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and aroma.
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free baking flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup plant-based milk (e.g., almond milk)
Cauliflower
- 1 medium head cauliflower, around 6 cups florets
Sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tbsp Sriracha
Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ cup water
Sauté
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
Garnish
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Mix Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and plant-based milk until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Trim and chop the cauliflower head into bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly equal in size for even baking.
- Batter Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, fully coating it, and then place them spaced out on the prepared baking tray.
- Bake Cauliflower: Bake the battered cauliflower in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until they turn crispy and slightly golden.
- Make Sauce: While cauliflower bakes, whisk together tomato paste, rice vinegar, tamari, maple syrup, and sriracha in a bowl to combine the sticky sauce ingredients.
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; this will be used to thicken the sauce later.
- Cook Sauce: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger until aromatic and softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sauce mixture and cornstarch slurry to the skillet, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine: Once the cauliflower is baked and crispy, toss the florets in the thickened sticky sesame sauce until fully coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the coated cauliflower and serve immediately as a delicious vegan main or side dish.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free baking flour and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust Sriracha amount to control the level of spiciness in the sauce.
- Serves well as a snack, appetizer, or main dish alongside rice or noodles.
- To save time, prepare the sauce while the cauliflower bakes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
