Sesame Cauliflower Bites
I’ve been trying to eat more vegetables lately, but to be honest—it’s surprisingly challenging. That’s why I decided to make these Sesame Cauliflower Bites, and they are so delicious!
Each piece of cauliflower is fried until perfectly golden and crunchy, then tossed in a glossy sweet-and-savory sesame sauce. I top them off with toasted sesame seeds for texture and sliced spring onions for that extra aroma.
Honestly, I could eat them straight out of the deep fryer with my favorite dipping sauce—crispy, hot, and addictive. But coating them in the sesame glaze makes this dish even more satisfying, almost like a vegetarian version of sesame chicken. It’s the perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and umami in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Beginner-friendly – simple batter and sauce.
✅ Quick to make – ready in about 20 minutes.
✅ Versatile – enjoy as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
✅ Vegan option – just swap honey with brown sugar or maple syrup.
INGREDIENTS
Cauliflower - 1 medium (750g)
Cooking Oil - 2 cups (or enough to deep fry the cauliflower)
Scallions - 20g
Batter
Flour - 1 cup
Salt - 1 tbsp
Pepper - 1/2 tbsp (or to taste)
Baking Soda - 1 tsp
Paprika - 1 tbsp
Cold Water - 1.5 cup
Sauce
Cooking Oil - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 5 cloves
Scallions (whites) - 8g
Soy Sauce - 2 tbsp
Sesame Oil - 1 tbsp
Honey - 3 tbsp (or brown sugar 3 tbsp)
Water - 1/3 cup
Sesame Seeds - 2 tbsp
Slurry
Cornstarch - 1.5 tbsp
Water - 3 tbsp
Ingredients
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARING THE INGREDIENTS
Scallions: Thinly slice the scallions, keeping the white and green parts separate.
Garlic: Mince 5 garlic cloves
Slurry : Prepare slurry mixing 1.5 tbsp of cornstarch and 3 tbsp of water in a small bow.
PREPARING THE BATTER
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 1 cup plain flour, 1 tablespoon salt, ½ tablespoon pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices. Slowly pour in 1½ cups of water while stirring continuously. Add just enough water to achieve a smooth, slightly thick batter consistency.
PREPARING THE CAULIFLOWER
Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, making sure they’re not too small—this helps prevent them from overcooking during deep frying. Rinse the florets thoroughly under cold water, then pat them dry with a clean tea towel or paper towels.
Add the cauliflower florets to the mixing bowl and toss well until each piece is evenly coated, making sure the batter covers all the nooks and crannies
Heat about 2 cups of oil in a saucepan for deep frying (you can use less oil if you choose a smaller pan—the key is having enough depth). To test if the oil is ready, dip the tip of a wet chopstick into it—if bubbles appear right away, the oil is hot enough. Fry the cauliflower over high heat for about 1 minute, just until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan and do this in batches. Then transfer the fried florets to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
After the first fry, increase the heat and return the cauliflower florets to the oil for a second fry. Cook for about 30 seconds only—this keeps the cauliflower tender inside while making the outer coating extra crispy.
Drain the fried cauliflower on a wire rack or place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over low–medium heat. Add the aromatics—minced garlic and the white parts of the scallions—and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar for a vegan option), and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Add ⅓ cup of water and let the sauce gently simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Next, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook on low heat until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Sprinkle in some sesame seeds, then add the fried cauliflower florets. Toss quickly so they’re evenly coated in the glossy, sweet-and-savory sauce. Remove from the heat immediately.
Finish with sliced green scallions on top, and your sesame cauliflower bites are ready to serve! Enjoy them with rice or wrap them in crisp lettuce leaves, like san choy bow—absolutely delicious.
Hope you enjoy the recipe. Watch the Youtube video for detailed instructions - Delicious Sesame Cauliflower bites! 20-min beginners recipe (vegan)!
