This air fryer bang bang cauliflower is the vegetarian take on the popular Bonefish Grill’s bang bang shrimp appetizer. Here panko breadcrumbs coated cauliflower florets are air-fried until crisp and tossed into sweet, spicy and creamy bang bang sauce.
1headCauliflower (gobi)(about 3 cups of bite-sized florets)
¾cupAll purpose flour (Maida)
1tablespoonCorn flour (corn starch)
1teaspoonGarlic powder
½teaspoonOnion powder
Salt & Pepperto taste
1cupButtermilk
1cupPanko breadcrumbs
Spring onion greensfor garnishing
Toasted sesame seedsfor garnishing
Instructions
To make the sauce, measure and add sauce ingredients one by one in a bowl. Whisk it until silky, and smooth. Keep it aside until needed.
First make the batter, take all purpose flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix it using a spoon.
Add buttermilk and make a smooth, lump-free thick batter.
Keep 3 bowls (for the batter, panko bread crumbs, cauliflower florets), a plate (to keep breaded florets) and 2 forks (one for batter and one for breadcrumbs) ready.
Now dip one floret into the batter and drain excess batter by lifting it using a fork.
Then coat all the sides with breadcrumbs and place on a plate or directly into the air-fryer basket.
Repeat the same until it fits into the basket in a single layer. Spray it with cooking oil spray. You may have to do it in batches.
Air fry them at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. It should be golden brown and crispy around the edges and soft from the inside.Baking instructions: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange the breaded florets on a parchment-lined baking tray in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes, flip and bake another 5 minutes.
Now transfer them into a large bowl and repeat the same for the rest.
Drizzle the bang bang sauce on top. Toss it until the florets are coated with the sauce.
Serve immediately on a plate, garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Video
Notes
The batter consistency has to be thick and coating-type (not runny or watery). If it’s too thin then add some more flour. If it’s too thick then add some more water or buttermilk.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket otherwise they won’t crisp up. Serve this right away after tossing it into the sauce to get the best texture experience. As it sits longer, it loses the crispness.
Want to keep the florets crispy for longer? After air frying, don’t toss them into the sauce. Just serve a sauce on the side. Let the individual dip their florets into the sauce.