Description
Crispy, spicy, and sweet air-fried cauliflower bites coated in a creamy Bang Bang sauce. A healthier, faster alternative to fried wings that is ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head of cauliflower (about 2–2.5 lbs), cut into bite-sized florets
- ½ cup (60g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil cooking spray
- ½ cup (120g) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60ml) sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash the cauliflower florets and pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
- Add the dry cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss until lightly and evenly coated. Shake off any excess powder.
- Lightly spray the coated florets with olive oil cooking spray.
- Place florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then shake the basket or flip the florets. Continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- While cauliflower cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, honey, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
- Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl and pour about half to two-thirds of the sauce over it. Toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately, topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve remaining sauce on the side.
Notes
Ensure cauliflower is completely dry before coating to prevent steaming. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for maximum crispiness. Shake or flip florets halfway through cooking. The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Leftover cauliflower can be re-crisped in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cu
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
Keywords: air fryer cauliflower, bang bang sauce, crispy cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, healthy snack, spicy cauliflower, gluten-free recipe