Description
These Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings offer a crispy, flavorful alternative to traditional chicken wings. Coated in a gluten-free batter and air fried to perfection, they’re tossed in a savory, sweet, and spicy sesame sauce that’s infused with garlic, ginger, and a touch of gochujang. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they combine a satisfying crunch with vibrant Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 2/3 cup gluten free all purpose flour (or regular all purpose flour)
- 2/3 cup plain non-dairy milk (almond milk recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup plain gluten free breadcrumbs
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or neutral oil)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Cut Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into medium to small florets, ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Make Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, non-dairy milk, garlic powder, and salt until smooth.
- Toss with Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Then, add the gluten free breadcrumbs and toss again until well coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C), which usually takes just a couple of minutes.
- Add Cauliflower to Basket: Place half of the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You might need to cook in two batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Air Fry: Cook the cauliflower at 370°F for 10-13 minutes, depending on your preferred crispiness, shaking the basket halfway through if possible.
- Sauté Garlic and Ginger: While the cauliflower cooks, heat the oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden, then add the grated ginger and cook for an additional minute.
- Prepare Sauce: To the pot with garlic and ginger, add soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, water or vegetable broth, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang, and sriracha. Whisk everything well to combine.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add this to the sauce mixture and bring to a low boil, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
- Combine and Serve: Once both batches of cauliflower wings are cooked, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Toss them thoroughly with the prepared sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions if desired, then serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey and ensure non-dairy milk and breadcrumbs are vegan.
- Adjust sriracha and gochujang amounts according to your preferred spice level.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- These wings are best served immediately but can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispiness.
- To make gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs as specified.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: air fryer cauliflower wings, sesame cauliflower, gluten free appetizers, vegan wings, spicy cauliflower, Asian cauliflower wings, healthy snacks
