Bang Bang Cauliflower

This easy bang bang cauliflower recipe combines panko breaded florets with a creamy, tangy sauce with a flavorful kick of spicy-sweet! These little bite-sized morsels switch up the cauliflower game in the best way possible.

  • Total 50 minutes
  • Serves 5 servings
  • Appetizer
  • American, Asian
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Overhead photo of a plate of Bang Bang Cauliflower

This easy bang bang cauliflower recipe combines panko breaded florets with a creamy, tangy sauce with a flavorful kick of spicy-sweet! These little bite-sized morsels switch up the cauliflower game in the best way possible.

Chopsticks grabbing a piece of Bang Bang Cauliflower off a plate more

Why this recipe works

Dipped, dredged, baked, and tossed, this bang bang cauliflower comes together easily and packs a spicy punch. While it may sound similar to spicy roasted cauliflower, it’s quite different when you take a look at the ingredients list.

Bang bang cauliflower is rolled in crunchy panko breadcrumbs for extra texture then it’s transferred to a bowl to be smothered in a blanket of lip-smacking bang bang sauce made with mayo, Asian sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. It’s spicy, creamy, and a touch sweet.

Plate of Bang Bang Cauliflower

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredients for Bang Bang Cauliflower

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CAULIFLOWER – Cut 1 head of cauliflower into florets. Make sure they’re poppable, bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.

BANG BANG SAUCE – A simple mixture of mayonnaise, Asian sweet chili sauce, and sriracha create this spicy creamy sauce. Though it may change the flavor, you can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative. Otherwise, you can substitute with low-fat mayo. The sriracha can be substituted with your favorite hot sauce if desired.

How to Make Bang Bang Cauliflower

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  3. Cut cauliflower into florets.cutting cauliflower into florets
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, buttermilk, and hot sauce.pouring buttermilk into flour in a bowladding hot sauce to flour and buttermilk mixture
  5. In another medium bowl, stir together bread crumbs, pepper, and salt.panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper
  6. Dip floret into buttermilk mixture then roll in breadcrumb mixture.dipping cauliflower into buttermilk mixturecauliflower florets dipped in buttermilk hot sauce mixturerolling dredged cauliflower in panko bread crumbs
  7. Place on wire rack and repeat for remaining florets.panko breadcrumb coated cauliflower florets on a wire rack
  8. Spray breaded florets with olive oil spray. Bake for 30-35 minutes.spraying bang bang cauliflower with olive oil spraybaking breaded cauliflower florets
  9. While florets are baking, make the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Asian sweet chili sauce and sriracha.adding asian sweet chili sauce to mayo and sriracha mixturemayo, sriracha, and asian sweet chili sauce in bowl with a whiskbaked breaded cauliflower
  10. One by one, using gloved hands, gently roll breaded baked florets in the sauce until coated.tossing cauliflower florets in bang bang sauce

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do you store leftover bang bang cauliflower?

Bang bang cauliflower is best enjoyed right away as it tends to get mushy the longer it sits. However, you can still store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Chopsticks holding a piece of Bang Bang Cauliflower

Serving Suggestions

Bang bang cauliflower makes a really good appetizer, but you can also serve it over rice for a full meal. Garnish with optional sesame seeds and chives. Enjoy immediately.

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