Description
Golden Crispy Cauliflower Bites are a delicious, oven-baked snack featuring tender cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb crust. Perfectly crispy and golden, they make a great appetizer or side dish served with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
Batter & Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or regular milk)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional for a cheesy touch)
Finishing & Serving:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Breading: In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for a flavorful coating base.
- Prepare Wet and Dry Coatings: Pour the almond milk (or regular milk) into a separate shallow bowl. In a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese if using, to add a cheesy and crunchy texture.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret first into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coverage. Then dip into the milk to moisten, followed by coating thoroughly with the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to make sure breadcrumbs adhere well.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded cauliflower florets onto the prepared baking sheet evenly spaced for even baking and crisping.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle the florets with olive oil to promote a golden crispy finish during baking.
- Bake the Cauliflower: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, turning the florets halfway through the cooking time to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
- Serve: Remove the crispy cauliflower bites from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm with ranch dressing or your choice of dipping sauce for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with chickpea flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If you prefer a vegan option, use plant-based milk and omit the Parmesan cheese or replace with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Make sure to flip the florets halfway to ensure even crispiness.
- These bites can be served as a snack, appetizer, or a side dish to a main meal.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best crisp texture.
