Description
These crispy baked (or air-fried) cauliflower wings are coated in a sweet and spicy Korean gochujang sauce. They’re perfect as an appetizer, snack, or plant-based alternative to chicken wings!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cauliflower Wings:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 3/4 cup water (or milk for a richer batter)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
For the Spicy Korean Sauce:
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp ketchup (adds sweetness & balance)
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
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Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If air frying, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
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Make the Batter:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Dip cauliflower florets into the batter, shaking off excess, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
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Bake or Air Fry:
- Oven: Arrange cauliflower on the baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Air Fryer: Place in a single layer and air fry for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
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Make the Sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and ketchup.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes until thickened.
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Coat & Serve:
- Toss the crispy cauliflower wings in the sauce until fully coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Make it milder: Reduce gochujang to 2 tbsp and add more honey.
- Make it extra crispy: Double-bake by returning the coated wings to the oven for 5 minutes.
- Serve with: Rice, slaw, or a creamy dipping sauce like ranch or garlic mayo