Introduction

These Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings are a crispy, flavorful alternative to traditional wings. Perfectly coated and tossed in a savory, slightly spicy sesame sauce, they make a delicious snack or appetizer for any occasion.

A white plate lined with crinkled white parchment paper holds a pile of dark brown, crispy fried cauliflower bites, coated in a sticky sauce and sprinkled with white sesame seeds and chopped green onions. In the center of the cauliflower is a small glass bowl filled with a light brown sauce topped with sesame seeds. To the top left of the plate is a small white dish with more chopped green onions. Two dark brown chopsticks lie diagonally to the right of the plate on a white marbled surface, with a few green onion pieces scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower
2/3 cup gluten free all purpose flour (or regular all purpose flour)
2/3 cup plain non-dairy milk (such as almond milk)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plain gluten free breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon 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
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon water (for cornstarch slurry)

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the cauliflower into medium to small florets and set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, non-dairy milk, garlic powder, and salt to form a smooth batter.
Step 3: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss to coat evenly. Then add the breadcrumbs and mix until the florets are well coated on all sides.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (about 188°C), which should take just a few minutes.
Step 5: Place half of the coated cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in two batches.
Step 6: Air fry the cauliflower at 370°F for 10 to 13 minutes, or until crispy to your liking.
Step 7: While the cauliflower cooks, heat oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden, then stir in the grated ginger.
Step 8: Add the soy sauce (or tamari), honey (or maple syrup), water (or vegetable broth), toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang, and sriracha to the pot. Whisk to combine and cook for 1–2 minutes.
Step 9: In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add this to the sauce and bring it to a low boil, then remove from heat and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 10: Once both batches of cauliflower are cooked, place them in a large bowl and toss with the prepared sesame sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped scallions if desired before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, lightly spray the coated cauliflower with oil before air frying.
Adjust the amount of gochujang and sriracha to control the spiciness of the sauce.
Serve with a side of vegan ranch or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
To make it gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.

Storage

Store leftover cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness, or warm briefly in the oven. Avoid microwaving to keep them from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of small crispy fried cauliflower bites covered in a dark, sticky glaze. Each piece has a rough and crunchy texture with a reddish-brown glossy coating. Scattered on top are small white sesame seeds and bright green chopped scallions, adding color contrast. The bites are placed in a white bowl lined with white parchment paper with a soft crinkled texture. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of non-dairy milk?

Yes, regular cow’s milk can be used if you do not need the recipe to be dairy-free. It works just as well in the batter.

What can I substitute for gochujang?

If you don’t have gochujang, you can substitute with a mix of chili paste and a little miso paste or simply use more sriracha for heat, though it will change the flavor slightly.