Description
This Vegan Glazed Orange Cauliflower ‘Chicken’ recipe is a delightful and flavorful twist on a classic dish. Crispy, baked cauliflower florets are coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, creating a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional orange chicken.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower:
- 1 large head cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
- 2 green onions thinly sliced for garnish
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Batter the cauliflower: In one bowl, whisk together flour, plant-based milk, salt, and pepper. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, coat in breadcrumbs, and arrange on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Prepare the sauce: In a saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, orange zest, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, add the cornstarch slurry, and cook until thickened.
- Coat the cauliflower: Toss the baked cauliflower in the sauce until coated.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
- For an air fryer version, cook battered cauliflower at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
