Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe
These Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings are a delicious and healthy plant-based alternative to traditional chicken wings. Crispy, coated florets of cauliflower are air fried to perfection and tossed in a savory, slightly sweet, spicy sesame sauce made with garlic, ginger, and gochujang. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, offering a flavorful and guilt-free indulgence in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
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 (such as almond milk)
- 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 (Korean chili paste)
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Cut Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into medium to small florets, making sure they are roughly similar in 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 and well combined.
- Toss with Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and toss to make sure each piece is fully coated. Then add the gluten free breadcrumbs and toss again until the cauliflower is evenly coated with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C), which usually takes about 2-3 minutes depending on your air fryer model.
- Add Cauliflower to Basket: Place half of the coated cauliflower in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer capacity, you might need to cook the cauliflower in two batches for the best crispiness.
- Air Fry: Air fry at 370°F for 10 to 13 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden and crispy. Flip or shake the basket halfway through cooking if desired for even browning.
- Sauté Garlic: While the cauliflower cooks, heat the oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then add the fresh grated ginger and sauté for another minute.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: 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 with the garlic and ginger. Whisk well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small dish, whisk the cornstarch together with 1 teaspoon of water to create a slurry. Stir this into the simmering sauce and continue to cook for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Finish and Serve: When both batches of cauliflower wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and toss with the warm sesame sauce until well coated. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use regular all-purpose flour and regular breadcrumbs if gluten is not an issue.
- Adjust the quantity of sriracha to control the heat level to your preference.
- Gochujang is a Korean chili paste available at most Asian grocery stores or online; it adds a unique sweet-spicy flavor.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the cauliflower wings in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) on a wire rack for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For a vegan version, ensure that the honey is replaced with maple syrup or another vegan sweetener.
- Serve with a side of ranch or vegan ranch dressing for dipping if desired.
