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Baked breadcrumbed bbq cauliflower florets on a green plate with a small glass bowl of white dip in the middle with one floret dipped in it.

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5 from 1 review

Crispy Baked Cauliflower Bites

Recipe by Veronika Sykorova

These Crispy Baked Cauliflower Bites are roasted, not fried, so they're lighter than classic cauliflower wings, but their coating is just as crispy. They're tossed in delicious BBQ (or Buffalo) sauce, and you can have them ready in less than an hour! They make a great appetizer or a side. Serve them with jalapeno mayo or ranch dip!

  • Total Time50 minutes
  • Yield4-6 1x
  • DietVegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 small/medium cauliflower, cut into florets (5 cups florets)
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free flour)
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1-1 1/2 cup classic breadcrumbs (or panko)
  • Cooking spray or 2-3 tbsp cooking oil (I use avocado oil cooking spray)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (or more as needed)
  • Jalapeno Mayo for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Prepare three low bowls.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into florets and set them aside on a paper towel to make sure they’re dry.
  3. Into the first low bowl, add all-purpose flour, fine sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sweet paprika, and whisk to mix.
  4. Add eggs to the second bowl and whisk.
  5. Add breadcrumbs to the third bowl.
  6. Dip each cauliflower floret first in the flour mixture, then the eggs, and lastly in the breadcrumbs. Use two forks in each bowl to help you cover each floret with each coating well. 
  7. Lay out the coated florets on your prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
  8. Spray them evenly with cooking spray.
  9. Bake them in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the coating is golden brown.
  10. Toss them with BBQ sauce, covering each piece as well as you can.
  11. Bake for another 5 minutes just to warm up and caramelize the sauce.
  12. Serve warm with jalapeno mayo, ranch, or a similar sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Keep in mind that once you toss the cauliflower in the BBQ sauce, it loses its crispiness quite quickly, especially as it sits in the fridge. I don’t recommend freezing the cauliflower.

Reheating: Reheat the cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a preheated oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes or until warmed through.

Servings: The cauliflower serves 4 people when served as a main with a side, or 6 if served as an appetizer.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://thehealthfulideas.com/crispy-baked-cauliflower-bites/