Dairy-Free Spicy Garlic Cauliflower Bites

Elevate your appetizer game with these tantalizing Dairy-Free Spicy Garlic Cauliflower Bites—a crispy, flavorful, and plant-based twist on classic comfort food. Coated in a perfectly spiced batter of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, then rolled in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, these oven-baked bites deliver incredible texture without the need for deep frying. Tossed in a bold and zesty sauce made from hot sauce, maple syrup, and fresh minced garlic, they pack just the right amount of heat balanced with a touch of natural sweetness. Quick to prepare in under 45 minutes and entirely vegan, these cauliflower bites are perfect as a crowd-pleasing snack, guilt-free appetizer, or game day treat. Garnish with parsley or green onions for a pop of color and serve immediately for maximum flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup cornstarch
• 0.5 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 0 olive oil spray
• 0.25 cup hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Cut the cauliflower head into bite-sized florets and set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Slowly whisk in the almond milk and water until a smooth batter forms.

Step 4

Place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl or plate.

Step 5

Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, then roll it in the panko breadcrumbs to coat completely. Place the coated florets on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Lightly spray the cauliflower florets with olive oil spray to enhance crispness.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Step 8

While the cauliflower is baking, prepare the spicy garlic sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the hot sauce, maple syrup, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Stir occasionally and heat until warmed through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 9

Once the cauliflower is finished baking, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the spicy garlic sauce over the cauliflower bites and toss to coat evenly.

Step 10

Serve immediately as a snack or appetizer. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for extra flavor and color.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1107.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	885.0

Total Fat 7.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5427.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 184.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.8g	0%
Total Sugars 44.3g
Protein 30.7g	0%

Vitamin D 43.9IU	0%
Calcium 408.8mg	0%
Iron 10.2mg	0%
Potassium 2107.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 7.2%

Protein: 13.3%

Carbs: 79.5%