Spicy Cauliflower Wings (Vegan)

Even you cauliflower haters out there will love these crunchy cauliflower wings!

These crispy wings are dipped in batter, coated in breadcrumbs, baked until golden brown and then glazed in a homemade hot sauce.

They are the perfect lockdown treat for a summer barbecue or a movie night in.

They are easy to make and don't use any expensive or fancy ingredients.

CAULIFLOWER

The first step to making these cauliflower wings is to wash your cauliflower and then chop it into bite-sized florets.

Next, pre-heat your oven to 200°c / 180°c (fan).

To make the batter for the cauliflower wings whisk together 3/4 cup of plain flour and 3/4 cup of unsweetened plant milk (I used oat).

Season the batter with 1/2 tsp of salt and some cracked black pepper.

The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower pieces well.

Sprinkle some breadcrumbs on a small plate and use one hand to coat the cauliflower florets in the wet batter. Use your other hand to cover the battered cauliflower in breadcrumbs.

This will be less messy if you make sure to keep one hand just for the wet batter and the other for the breadcrumb coating.

Put a little oil on the wings to help them brown in the oven - I keep a spray bottle of sunflower oil in the cupboard which has proved to be handy when making these wings!

Bake the cauliflower for 30 mins.

SAUCE

To make the hot sauce begin by grating one clove of garlic.

Then place a small saucepan over medium-low heat and add 2 tsp of neutral oil (I used sunflower) and fry the garlic along with 3/4 tsp of chilli flakes until the garlic is slightly brown.

Next add 1/4 cup of tomato ketchup to the pan along with 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp dark soy sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Mix together.

In a small bowl make a cornflour slurry consisting of 2 tsp cornflour and 2 tsp of water and add that to the pan to thicken the sauce.

Once thickened, remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool.

Once the cauliflower wings are cooked use a pastry brush to coat the florets in the hot sauce.

Bake the wings for another 10 mins.

Serve with some freshly chopped spring onions and your favourite dip!

I made a garlic mayo dip to accompany my wings (mix 1 1/2 tbsp vegan mayo, 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp dried mixed herbs).

INGREDIENTS:

CAULIFLOWER WINGS

• 1 cauliflower (washed and cut into bite-sized florets)

• 3/4 cup plain flour

• 3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk (I used oat)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Black pepper

• Dry breadcrumbs

• Neutral oil (I used sunflower)

• 1 clove garlic (grated)

• 3/4 tsp chilli flakes

• 1/4 cup tomato ketchup

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tsp dark soy sauce

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tsp water

• 2 tsp cornflour

• 2 spring onions (sliced)

GARLIC MAYO

• 1 1/2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp dried mixed herbs

CAULIFLOWER WINGS METHOD:

1) Begin by lining two baking trays with greaseproof baking paper and preheating the oven to 200°c / 180°c (fan).

2) To make the batter combine the plain flour, plant milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth.

3) Then sprinkle a handful of breadcrumbs in a small bowl or plate.

4) Coat the florets in the batter first and then in the breadcrumbs (you will need to keep topping up the breadcrumbs) - to avoid getting messy hands, make sure you use one hand for the wet batter and another for the breadcrumbs. Place the breadcrumb coated florets on the prepared baking tray.

5) Once all of the florets are battered and breadcrumbed, drizzle a little oil over the wings to help them brown in the oven and bake for 30 mins.

6) While the cauliflower is cooking, start making the hot sauce. Heat a small saucepan over medium-low heat and add 2 tsp oil along with the grated garlic and chilli flakes. Let cook until the garlic begins to brown.

7) Next add the tomato ketchup to the pan along with the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Mix together.

8) To thicken the sauce, make a cornflour slurry by mixing 2 tsp water with 2 tsp of cornflour in a small bowl and add that to the sauce. Keep stirring.

9) Once thickened remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool.

10) After the cauliflower has cooked for 30 mins, remove from the oven and use a pastry brush to glaze the wings in the homemade hot sauce. Bake for another 10 mins.

11) Once cooked, top the cauliflower wings with some spring onions and serve with your favourite dip (I made a garlic mayo dip). Eat immediately.

GARLIC MAYO METHOD:

1) In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, garlic powder and dried mixed herbs and stir until combined. Done!