Spicy Korean Cauliflower Wings Recipe
These Spicy Korean Cauliflower Wings are a bold, crispy, and plant-based snack coated in a crunchy batter and tossed in a sweet and spicy Korean gochujang glaze. Perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, they make a flavorful appetizer or party favorite that’s easy to prepare and deliciously healthy.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour and tamari)
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cold water
- Vegetable oil for baking or frying
Korean Sauce
- 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into uniform bite-sized florets. Rinse and thoroughly dry them to ensure the batter sticks well.
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, ginger powder, and salt. Slowly add cold water, stirring until you achieve a smooth, slightly thick batter that will coat the cauliflower evenly.
- Coat and Bake or Fry: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter to coat thoroughly. For baking, place coated florets on a parchment-lined or wire rack-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness. Alternatively, deep-fry the coated florets until golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the Korean Sauce: While baking or frying, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and sesame oil to create the sweet and spicy glaze.
- Toss and Serve: Once the cauliflower wings are golden and crispy, immediately toss them in the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Serve hot with optional garnishes and side dishes.
Notes
- Pat dry your cauliflower thoroughly to ensure crisp batter adherence.
- Use cold water in the batter for a lighter, crispier coating.
- Toss wings in sauce immediately after cooking to keep the glaze sticking well.
- When baking, use a wire rack to elevate cauliflower for better air circulation and crispiness.
- Adjust the level of gochujang to control spice intensity gradually.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Spicy Korean Cauliflower Wings, Korean appetizer, plant-based wings, vegetarian wings, vegan snack, gluten-free Korean wings