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Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 129 reviews

This Chili Garlic Fried Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on a classic vegetable dish, perfect as a spicy appetizer or side. Cauliflower florets are battered and deep-fried to a golden crisp, then tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy chili garlic sauce infused with sesame oil and fresh ginger, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for an extra burst of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup ice water
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Kosher salt, to taste

For Frying

  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 inch deep in skillet)
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

Sauce & Garnish

  • 1/3 cup chili garlic sauce
  • 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Gradually add the ice water, beaten egg, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, stirring until combined. The batter should be thin and smooth to coat the cauliflower evenly.
  2. Heat the oil and fry the cauliflower: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil until shimmering and hot but not smoking. Toss the cauliflower florets in the batter until fully coated. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add the battered cauliflower to the hot oil and fry until golden and crisp on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the fried cauliflower with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with additional kosher salt if desired.
  3. Prepare the sauce and toss: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chili garlic sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated ginger until well combined. Toss the hot fried cauliflower pieces in the sauce until evenly coated.
  4. Garnish and serve: Transfer the sauced cauliflower to a serving plate, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions, and serve immediately while crispy and flavorful.

Notes

  • Use ice water in the batter to keep it cold and help create a crisp coating.
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet when frying to maintain oil temperature and crispness.
  • If preferred, the fried cauliflower can be kept warm in a low oven while frying remaining batches.
  • Adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce to control the spice level.
  • This dish is best served immediately for maximum crispiness.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Keywords: fried cauliflower, chili garlic cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, crispy cauliflower, Asian cauliflower recipe, spicy fried cauliflower

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/chili-garlic-fried-cauliflower-recipe/