Sweet and Sour Cauliflower

Sweet and Sour Cauliflower, simply cannot be this damn good! A healthier twist on a Sweet and Sour dish using cauliflower instead of chicken or other protein. The crispy breading outside tender cauliflower, baked golden brown and tossed in a sweet and sour sauce is dynamite. Perfect for the vegetarians for a dinner option, or as an appetizer

I might also note, that this Sweet N Sour Cauliflower recipe comes to me with excellent authority.    It was given to me by my great friend Lisa. Enviously, Lisa went to culinary school and had a fantastic palate for great food. When she asked if I had ever tried it, she could not forward the recipe quickly enough, telling me how much I would love it.   What an endorsement!

Ok, some say it cannot always be about flavor. I mean, after all, there are benefits from eating a lot of vegetables, like fiber especially cauliflower. For example, if you have never tried cauliflower mash instead of the heavier and dare I say fatter version of traditional mash, you will be pleasantly surprised at how good it can be. But for all of those others that want to know

Sweet and Sour Cauliflower Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower

1 tsp olive oil

1 cup flour

1 cup water

The Sweet and Sour Cauliflower sauce:

½ maple syrup or substitute agave

½ cup soy sauce

3 Tablespoon rice vinegar

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

1-2 garlic cloves

½ inch fresh ginger

1-2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce

1 Tablespoon cornstarch + ¼ cup of water

Two green onions, chopped thinly

Sesame seeds

How to make Sweet and Sour Cauliflower

There are many recipes out there for Sweet and Sour Cauliflower. Some instruct to deep fry the cauliflower, but this recipe has you baking the cauliflower, a healthier alternative that I prefer.   With that in mind, let’s get started.

With the oven preheating to 450 degrees, prep your baking sheets with parchment paper or grease with olive oil.

Take the head of cauliflower and cut it into small pieces equal to the size you would cut it into for a veggie platter option.

Now, in a large bowl, you will be making the batter for the cauliflower by combining the water and flour. You want to mix this well. It is up to you but mix it well to ensure no lumps in the batter. I will share a tip with you: I often substitute the water for soda water to keep the batter airy if I have it on hand.

Take the cut-up pieces of the cauliflower and dunk each piece into the batter mixture, being patient enough to let the excess drip off before you pace on the greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. It gets a bit messy, but it is worth it!

Once you have all of the pieces well coated, you will bake them for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway until you get a nice brown crispy outside. Depending on your oven, this can take 5 to 7 minutes more.

How To Make The Sweet And Sour Cauliflower Sauce

While the cauliflower is baking nicely in your oven, start mixing up the sauce. Combine all soy sauce, maple syrup, and whisk in a deep pan over medium heat.   Then add the rice vinegar and sesame oil to the mixture, and mix well.   Lastly, add the chopped garlic, ginger, and chili garlic sauce.

In a small bowl, make a slurry to thicken the sauce. You are going to combine the water with the cornstarch. Once it is well combined, add it to the saucepan and mix. 

You will want to turn up the heat a bit so that the slurry can thicken the sauce and become sticky.

Time to assemble the Sweet And Sour Cauliflower Sauce

Once you have removed the cauliflower, add to a large mixing bowl, pour on the sauce, and toss until well coated. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, topping with sesame seeds and green onions.  

I also serve this Sweet And Sour Cauliflower dish with the breaded cauliflower uncoated, with a small sauce bowl to allow the guests to dip it as shown. This helps ensure that the breading does not get soggy and the eater can control the amount of sauce on the individual pieces.

If you are looking for other amazing vegetable dishes that are reimagined, check out my recipe for roasted beets or the Sweet Yet Savory Caramelized Carrots that are smashing!

Nutritional Disclaimer

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