Baked Orange Cauliflower Recipe

Introduction

Baked Orange Cauliflower is a delightful twist on a classic favorite, offering a crunchy, flavorful bite coated in a tangy and sweet orange sauce. This vegetarian dish is perfect as a snack, appetizer, or a light meal that’s both satisfying and vibrant.

Ingredients

• 1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (Kikkoman brand preferred for even baking)
• 2 large eggs, whisked

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp vinegar
• 1/8 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 tsp sriracha (optional: replace half with ketchup if you prefer less spice)
• 1 tsp ketchup
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch mixture)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl. Place about 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs into a Ziploc bag. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Dip each cauliflower floret into the egg mixture, allowing excess egg to drip off, then set on a board or plate to drip further. Avoid over-wetting the florets to help the breadcrumbs stick better.
3. Step 3: Place an egg-coated floret into the breadcrumb bag, seal, and shake gently until fully coated. Transfer to the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining cauliflower, adding more breadcrumbs as needed.
4. Step 4: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the coating is a dark golden brown and crispy.
5. Step 5: While baking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine water, orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sriracha, and ketchup. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tbsp water, then stir into the sauce. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens and boils again.
7. Step 7: Drizzle the hot sauce over the baked cauliflower florets. Garnish with fresh chopped scallions if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, substitute half of the sriracha with ketchup to maintain the orange color without extra heat.
• Try adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for extra texture and flavor.
• Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store any leftover baked cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to maintain crispiness, or microwave briefly but note it may lose some crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh orange juice instead of bottled?

Yes, fresh orange juice works wonderfully and can enhance the flavor of the sauce with a brighter, fresher taste.

Is this recipe vegan-friendly?

Not as written due to the eggs used for coating. To make it vegan, you can substitute the eggs with a flax egg or aquafaba for dipping before breading.

Baked Orange Cauliflower Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 97 reviews

This Baked Orange Cauliflower recipe offers a delicious, healthier twist on classic orange chicken, featuring crispy baked cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful, tangy orange sauce. Perfect for a vegetarian meal that delivers a satisfying crunch and zesty flavor without frying.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cauliflower Coating

• 1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, Kikkoman brand preferred for even baking
• 2 large eggs, whisked

Orange Sauce

• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp vinegar
• 1/8 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 tsp sriracha (optional, can replace half with ketchup for less spice)
• 1 tsp ketchup
• 2 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Whisk the eggs in a small mixing bowl. Place about 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs in a Ziploc bag. Line an extra-large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Dip Cauliflower in Egg: Dip each cauliflower floret into the whisked egg mixture. Shake lightly to remove excess egg to prevent sogginess of breadcrumbs. Set the dipped florets on a cutting board or plate to allow extra egg to drip off.
3. Coat Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs: Place the egg-dipped cauliflower into the bag with breadcrumbs, seal it, and shake gently until fully coated. Remove and arrange coated florets on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining cauliflower, adding more breadcrumbs to the bag as needed, doing no more than 3-4 pieces at once for better coating.
4. Bake Cauliflower: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the breading is a deep golden brown and crunchy.
5. Prepare the Orange Sauce: While baking, combine water, orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sriracha, and ketchup in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
6. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tbsp water completely. Add this slurry to the boiling sauce and continue to stir. Allow sauce to return to a boil and thicken.
7. Serve: Drizzle the thickened orange sauce over the baked cauliflower. Optionally garnish with fresh chopped scallions and serve warm.

Notes

• Use Kikkoman brand panko breadcrumbs for best even baking and crispiness.
• Shake off excess egg from cauliflower to ensure crisp coating.
• You can adjust spice level in the sauce by reducing sriracha and adding more ketchup for color and mild flavor.
• Do not overcrowd the breadcrumb bag when coating cauliflower to get an even coating.
• Nutrition values are estimated; consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Keywords: baked orange cauliflower, vegetarian orange chicken alternative, crispy baked cauliflower, orange sauce recipe, healthy cauliflower recipes