Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower Recipe
A crispy and flavorful Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower recipe featuring tender cauliflower florets coated in a light, airy batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy chili garlic sauce. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, this dish makes a perfect appetizer or snack with an irresistible Asian-inspired twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Batter
- 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
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1/4 inch depth)
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Sauce and Garnish
- 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. Gradually add the ice water, beaten egg, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, stirring until combined. The batter should be thin and smooth, perfect for coating the cauliflower evenly.
- Heat Oil and Coat Cauliflower: In a large skillet over medium heat, pour vegetable oil to a depth of about 1/4 inch and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Meanwhile, toss the cauliflower florets in the batter, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
- Fry the Cauliflower: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add the battered cauliflower to the hot oil. Fry each batch until golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried cauliflower to paper towels to drain excess oil. Season with additional salt if desired while still hot.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together chili garlic sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated ginger until well combined and smooth.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce and Garnish: Once all cauliflower is fried and drained, toss it in the prepared chili garlic sauce until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for flavor and crunch. Serve immediately for best texture and taste.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (about 350°F) to get a crisp exterior without greasy results.
- Frying in batches prevents the temperature from dropping and helps maintain crispiness.
- You can adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce to make the dish more or less spicy according to your preference.
- Use fresh ginger for the best flavor in the sauce.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the crisp texture of the fried cauliflower.
Keywords: chili garlic fried cauliflower, crispy cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, Asian appetizer, fried cauliflower recipe, spicy cauliflower, battered cauliflower
Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/chili-garlic-fried-cauliflower-recipe/
