Bang Bang Broccoli [+ Cauliflower| Baked]

5 from 70 votes

Bang Bang Broccoli [+ Cauliflower| Baked]

Make restaurant-quality Bang Bang broccoli (or cauliflower), but healthier, in 30 minutes in an oven or air fryer. It’s super crispy, creamy, spicy, and a moreish appetizer or side!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 339kcal

Author: Toni

Equipment

Ingredients

Sauce

1 cup vegan mayonnaise
⅓ cup of chili paste
3 tablespoons of water
1 tablespoon of agave nectar or maple syrup

Broccoli

1 cup of all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of chili paste
½ cup of cornstarch
1 cup of unsweetened plant-based milk
Juice of half a lemon
½ teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
½ tablespoon of onion powder
¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 cup of breadcrumbs
4 cups of broccoli florets

Instructions

Sauce

Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside.

Broccoli

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or partchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, chili paste, cornstarch, plant-based milk, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika..
In a medium bowl, place the breadcrumbs and set aside.
To the bowl with the flour mixture, add all of the broccoli or work in batches. It is easier to use your hands and mix well – coating all of the florets with the mixture.
In small handfuls, transfer coated broccoli to the breadcrumbs bowl and get the florets completely covered in breadcrumbs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet making sure they are not touching each other. Repeat until all of the broccoli is on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the broccoli to the bowl with the sauce. Carefully and gently mix the broccoli, coating all of them with the sauce.
Return the broccoli to the baking sheet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from oven, top with green onion and sesame seeds. Serve hot.

Notes

The batter needs to be thick enough: If it’s too thin, it won’t properly coat the broccoli/ cauliflower florets. If it’s too thin, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time.

For crispier breaded broccoli: Lightly spray the battered broccoli/ cauliflower with olive oil (or another cooking oil) to encourage the crispiest edges.

Adjust the heat: By increasing the amount of chili paste in the bang bang sauce recipe. You can also boost the spice in the batter with chili powder/ cayenne pepper.

Nutrition