Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings
Crispy, golden cauliflower wings coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory sesame-ginger glaze, all made healthy in the air fryer. A perfect vegan and gluten-free appetizer or main dish.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower
2/3 cup gluten free all purpose flour (or regular AP flour)
2/3 cup plain non-dairy milk (like almond or oat)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plain gluten free breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon neutral oil
5 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1/4 cup maple syrup or other plant-based sweetener
2 tablespoons water or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons Korean chili paste
1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (like sriracha)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon water
Toasted sesame seeds & chopped scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Cut cauliflower into medium/small, bite-sized florets.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, milk, garlic powder, and salt into a batter. Toss cauliflower in batter to coat.
- Toss battered cauliflower in breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F (188°C).
- Air fry coated cauliflower in a single layer for 10-13 minutes until golden and crispy, working in batches.
- For sauce: In a saucepan, sauté garlic in oil until fragrant. Add ginger and sauté 1 min.
- Add soy sauce, maple syrup, 2 tbsp water, sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili paste, and hot sauce. Whisk.
- Mix cornstarch with 1 tsp water to make a slurry. Whisk into sauce. Bring to low boil, then remove from heat to thicken.
- Toss crispy cauliflower with the sauce in a large bowl. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For crispier results, use panko-style gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Ensure cauliflower florets are not too large for even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in a single layer for best results.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and chili paste to control the spice level.
- Sauce can be made ahead and reheated with a splash of water if it thickens too much.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 305 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 11 g