Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower Recipe
This Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower recipe is a deliciously crispy and spicy vegetarian appetizer that combines tender cauliflower florets coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a flavorful chili garlic sauce. Perfect as a snack or side dish, it offers a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors with a satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Batter Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup ice water
- 1 egg, beaten
- Kosher salt, to taste
Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1-2 cups)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chili garlic sauce
- 2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 tsp. grated ginger
- 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Add ice water, beaten egg, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt, then stir until well combined. The batter should be thin enough to coat the cauliflower evenly.
- Heat the oil and fry the cauliflower: In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil and heat until shimmering and hot but not smoking. Toss cauliflower florets in the batter until fully coated. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully place the cauliflower pieces in the hot oil. Fry until all sides are golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the fried cauliflower and drain on paper towels. Season with additional salt if needed.
- Make the chili garlic sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together chili garlic sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated ginger until smooth and well combined.
- Toss cauliflower in sauce and garnish: Add the crispy fried cauliflower to the sauce and toss well to coat each piece evenly. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for garnish. Serve immediately for the best crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Use ice cold water in the batter to ensure a light and crispy coating.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying; work in batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- You can adjust chili garlic sauce quantity for milder or spicier flavor as preferred.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil temperature around 350°F for optimal frying.
- Leftover fried cauliflower can be reheated in a hot oven or air fryer to regain crispiness.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan by substituting the egg with a flax egg or other vegan binder.
Keywords: chili garlic fried cauliflower, crispy fried cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, spicy cauliflower recipe, Asian vegetarian snack
