Air fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower

Air fryer Teriyaki cauliflower is a delicious vegan appetizer or main. Cauliflower florets are first breaded and air fried. Then a delicious teriyaki sauce is applied and it is served with a dip. Just perfect.

Cauliflower wings or bites turn out so tasty in the air fryer. You can try Frozen cauliflower, Buffalo cauliflower bites, whole cauliflower, cauliflower steaks, Aloo gobi, gobi manchurian, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower and air fryer carrots and cauliflower as well.

Teriyaki cauliflower can also be paired with a nice salad and fried rice or noodles for a delicious meal.

Ingredients

Cauliflower: 1 medium cauliflower head cut into small florets is used here. If you use larger florets then your air frying time may increase.

Breading

Breadcrumbs: 1 cup breadcrumbs are used here. I made breadcrumbs from scratch in air fryer.

All-purpose flour: I have used 1 cup all-purpose flour for the coating. You can use chickpea flour or rice flour in its place too.

Spices: Garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chilli flakes are used to as seasonings.

Salt: To taste is used.

Soy milk: 1 cup soy milk is used in the recipe. If you eat dairy, use regular milk.

Oil: A little bit of oil, about a tsp. is used for brushing the breaded cauliflower.

Teriyaki sauce: I used some store bought smoky teriyaki sauce. You can make it from scratch as well.

Variations and Substitutions

You can use other sauces like Buffalo or hot sauce in place of teriyaki sauce.

For a gluten-free recipe, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. Also use millet flour or chickpea flour in place of all-purpose flour.

Change the seasoning as per your like by adding any spices or herbs that you like to the breading.

For a cheesy taste, you can use nutritional yeast or cheese in the breading.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve these delightful teriyaki cauliflower bites as an appetizer with  a dip.

These also go really well with noodles/fried rice and a salad for an Asian meal.

Instructions

Take a medium cauliflower head. Remove the leaves and stalks. Then cut the florets into bite sizes.

Dry them well and keep aside. Now mix the spices and salt together.

For cauliflower wings, we need to prepare a breading station by using 2 bowls. Add soy milk to all-purpose flour in a bowl with the spices and salt. Use a whisk to mix and form a slurry that is smooth.

Take breadcrumbs in a second shallow plate. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Dip cauliflower florets in the bowl with slurry. Ensure that the entire floret is well coated. Drain off any excess coating.

Next place them in breadcrumbs so that they are well coated with breadcrumbs. The thick slurry helps the breadcrumbs to adhere well. Your prep work is done. Now you are ready to air fry the breaded cauliflower.

In case you wish to, you can deep fry these florets at medium heat in oil till they are golden brown. Serve hot.

Air fryer Instructions

Preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes. Preheat when you are breading the cauliflower florets. That way you can place them in the air fryer basket right away. We don’t want them lying around and getting soggy.

Brush air fryer basket with oil. Place breaded cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket.

Air fry for about 8 minutes at 360F or 180C. Take out the basket and lightly brush the half air fried florets with oil and place them back in the air fryer.

Air fry at 180C or 360F for about 6-8 minutes more. Your breaded cauliflower will be nice and golden brown while being well cooked inside.

Brush them well with thick Teriyaki sauce. I have used a smoky storebought sauce. Sprinkle roasted sesame on top and serve hot.

Your teriyaki cauliflower in air fryer is ready to serve. You could also air fry for a couple of minutes more for a more glaze-like finish. But, I did not feel that was required.

Expert Tips

1. Cauliflower florets must be completely dry so that the breading does not get runny. Also cut them in uniform bite sizes to cook evenly.

2. Keep the cauliflower florets well spaced out in air fryer basket when you are air frying them.

3. I always preheat air fryer when I start breading foods. That way we don't keep the food breaded for too long and prevent them from getting soggy.

4. This is a vegan recipe. It can be easily made vegetarian by using dairy.

5. This recipe works well with broccoli as well.

6. For storing any leftovers, it is advisable to store them in an airtight container in the fridge for upto 3 days. Then reheat in the air fryer to heat and crisp up before serving.

7. Seasonings can be totally used as per your taste. Pre mixes can also be used.

8. I prefer to use fresh cauliflower for this recipe. In case you are using frozen cauliflower, then thaw it thoroughly and dry it before using.

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