Description
Baked Cauliflower Bites are a delicious and healthy snack or appetizer featuring crispy, golden cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful batter and breadcrumbs, then baked to perfection. They are perfect for a guilt-free treat and can be customized with various dipping sauces such as buffalo sauce or honey garlic glaze for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Bites
- 1 medium head cauliflower (cut into bite-sized florets)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until you get a smooth batter with no lumps.
- Coat Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets into the batter bowl and toss them well to coat evenly. Allow any excess batter to drip off to avoid sogginess.
- Bread the Florets: Press each coated cauliflower floret into the breadcrumbs so they are fully covered for maximum crispiness once baked.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Lay the breadcrumb-coated florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have room so they bake evenly and crisp up nicely.
- Apply Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the florets with olive oil spray to help with browning and crisp texture.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cauliflower bites for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Bake until they are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender inside.
- Serve: Serve the baked cauliflower bites immediately with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch, buffalo sauce, or honey garlic glaze for a tasty treat.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toss the baked bites in buffalo sauce or honey garlic glaze after baking.
- Make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs depending on your taste preference.
- You can also try adding other spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
