Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe
These Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings are a delicious, crispy, and healthier alternative to traditional chicken wings. Lightly battered cauliflower florets are air fried to perfection and tossed in a savory, slightly spicy sesame sauce that combines garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and gochujang. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish, these wings are gluten-free and dairy-free, making them suitable for a variety of diets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 2/3 cup gluten free all purpose flour (or regular AP 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
- 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
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Cut Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into medium to small florets to ensure even cooking and easy coating.
- Make Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, non-dairy milk, garlic powder, and salt until smooth to form the batter.
- Toss with Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and toss until they are fully coated. Then, add breadcrumbs and mix again to ensure a crispy outer layer.
- 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 in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in two batches.
- Air Fry: Cook the cauliflower at 370°F for 10 to 13 minutes, adjusting time to your preferred crispiness.
- Sauté Garlic: While the cauliflower cooks, heat oil in a small pot and sauté the minced garlic until lightly golden, then add grated ginger.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the soy sauce, honey, water or vegetable broth, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang, and sriracha. Whisk well to combine all flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add this to the sauce and bring it to a low boil, then remove from heat once slightly thickened.
- Serve: Once all batches of cauliflower are done cooking, toss them in a large mixing bowl with the warm sauce. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions if desired, then enjoy your crispy air fryer sesame cauliflower wings!
Notes
- For spicier wings, increase sriracha or gochujang to taste.
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey to make the recipe vegan.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket; this ensures even crisping.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: air fryer cauliflower wings, sesame cauliflower, gluten free appetizer, plant-based wings, crispy cauliflower, vegan wings alternative
