I just whipped up these irresistible air fryer cauliflower wings, and I’m smitten. The perfectly crisp coating meets a spicy, tangy sesame garlic glaze that elevates every bite. Vegan and gluten free, they’re ideal for any casual hangout with friends, making them my go-to snack for satisfying flavor cravings.
I’m super excited to share my recipe for Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings. I start with 1 head cauliflower, chopped into bite-sized florets, then I dip them in a mix of 1/2 cup gluten free all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and a bit of salt and pepper.
It’s amazing how this simple blend transforms into a crispy base when air fried. The spicy glaze kicks it up a notch with 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp tamari sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp Sriracha.
I also stir in 2 tsp sesame oil, and sometimes I use 1 tbsp cornstarch for extra crunch. After baking, I finish it off with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
This recipe is not only tasty but offers great nutritional value, making it a hearty option among my healthy air fryer dinner and vegetarian recipes. Enjoy!
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I love how simple this recipe is, even when I’m in a rush I can throw it together and get awesome crispy cauliflower wings without any complicated steps.
2. The sauce is perfect for me — it’s got that sweet and spicy kick that really makes the flavor pop and I never get tired of it.
3. I really appreciate that its vegan and gluten free so I feel good about eating something that’s actually healthy without sacrificing taste.
4. The crispy texture is just amazing, there’s nothing like biting into these wings and experiencing that crunch every time.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower: Packed with fiber and vitamins, its crunch and texture make it a super healthy choice.
- Gluten free all-purpose flour: Helps coat the florets nicely, giving a light, crisp finish when air fried.
- Unsweetened almond milk: Adds a rich creamy touch without extra sugar, keepin it wholesome and smooth.
- Tamari sauce: Brings a deep umami flavor and a salty kick that makes the dish extra tasty.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Offer a nutty crunch with healthy fats, perfect for that final flavor boost.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 head cauliflower (chopped into bite-sized florets)
- 1/2 cup gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp tamari sauce (gluten free soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Sriracha or chili paste (adjust for your heat level)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for extra crispiness, optional)
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
How to Make this
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F if needed.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten free all-purpose flour, unsweetened almond milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp cornstarch if you’re using it.
3. Add your bite-size cauliflower florets and toss until all pieces are well coated.
4. Place the coated cauliflower in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded so they can crisp up nicely.
5. Air fry the cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
6. While the cauliflower is cooking, mix together the minced garlic, tamari sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, Sriracha (or chili paste), and sesame oil in a small bowl.
7. Once the florets are golden and crispy, take them out and transfer them to a larger bowl.
8. Pour the spicy sesame garlic sauce over the hot cauliflower and toss until each floret is coated.
9. If you want extra depth of flavor and a sticky finish, put the cauliflower back in the air fryer for another 5 minutes.
10. Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving. Enjoy your crispy wings!
Equipment Needed
1. Air Fryer – Needed to cook the cauliflower evenly and keep most of its nutrients intact by reducing the oil used in frying
2. Large Mixing Bowl – Use this bowl to whisk together the gluten free flour, almond milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cornstarch
3. Whisk – Essential for mixing the batter so it coats the cauliflower well
4. Cutting Board and Knife – For chopping the cauliflower into bite-size florets, ensuring the pieces are small enough to cook properly
5. Measuring Cups and Spoons – Required for accurately measuring the liquids and dry ingredients which helps keep the nutrition balanced
6. Small Mixing Bowl – To mix the garlic, tamari, maple syrup, rice vinegar, Sriracha, and sesame oil into the spicy sauce
7. Spatula or Tongs – To toss the cauliflower in both the batter and sauce, making sure every piece has the proper coating
8. Serving Bowl – For transferring the finished wings and allowing them to cool slightly before you dig in
FAQ
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Q: How can I get extra crispy cauliflower?
A: Toss the florets in cornstarch and preheat your air fryer. It really helps the wings turn out crunchy. -
Q: Can I use a different milk instead of almond milk?
A: Yup, you can use unsweetened cashew or oat milk if that’s what you’ve got on hand. -
Q: How spicy do these wings get?
A: They are mildly spicy, but you can add more Sriracha if you like extra heat. -
Q: What’s the best way to evenly coat the cauliflower?
A: Make sure you mix the batter well with all the florets so every piece gets a tasty coating. -
Q: What should I serve with these wings?
A: They go great with a fresh salad or a side of rice for a full meal.
Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of gluten free all-purpose flour, you can try chickpea flour or even regular all-purpose if you don’t have a gluten issue.
- If you’re not a fan of almond milk, feel free to swap it out with soy milk or oat milk, whichever you have on hand.
- Rather than using tamari sauce, you can use coconut aminos or regular soy sauce if you arent too strict on gluten free options.
- Instead of maple syrup, a bit of honey works just as well if you’re not keeping the dish vegan.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If the florets are too close together, they won’t get crispy so it’s better to cook them in batches if needed.
2. If you’re using the extra cornstarch for crispiness, mix it in really well with the flour mixture. It helps the cauliflower get that extra crunch, especially if you decide to toss them back in the air fryer after coating with sauce.
3. When you toss your hot cauliflower in the spicy sesame garlic sauce, do it fast so that each piece gets a good coating. The heat from the wings really helps in locking in all that flavor.
4. If you like a stickier finish, try putting the sauced cauliflower back in the air fryer for another few minutes. Just watch them closely so they don’t burn, but this trick will give you some extra depth in flavor.
Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe
My favorite Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Air Fryer – Needed to cook the cauliflower evenly and keep most of its nutrients intact by reducing the oil used in frying
2. Large Mixing Bowl – Use this bowl to whisk together the gluten free flour, almond milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cornstarch
3. Whisk – Essential for mixing the batter so it coats the cauliflower well
4. Cutting Board and Knife – For chopping the cauliflower into bite-size florets, ensuring the pieces are small enough to cook properly
5. Measuring Cups and Spoons – Required for accurately measuring the liquids and dry ingredients which helps keep the nutrition balanced
6. Small Mixing Bowl – To mix the garlic, tamari, maple syrup, rice vinegar, Sriracha, and sesame oil into the spicy sauce
7. Spatula or Tongs – To toss the cauliflower in both the batter and sauce, making sure every piece has the proper coating
8. Serving Bowl – For transferring the finished wings and allowing them to cool slightly before you dig in
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower (chopped into bite-sized florets)
- 1/2 cup gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp tamari sauce (gluten free soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Sriracha or chili paste (adjust for your heat level)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for extra crispiness, optional)
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F if needed.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten free all-purpose flour, unsweetened almond milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp cornstarch if you’re using it.
3. Add your bite-size cauliflower florets and toss until all pieces are well coated.
4. Place the coated cauliflower in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded so they can crisp up nicely.
5. Air fry the cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
6. While the cauliflower is cooking, mix together the minced garlic, tamari sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, Sriracha (or chili paste), and sesame oil in a small bowl.
7. Once the florets are golden and crispy, take them out and transfer them to a larger bowl.
8. Pour the spicy sesame garlic sauce over the hot cauliflower and toss until each floret is coated.
9. If you want extra depth of flavor and a sticky finish, put the cauliflower back in the air fryer for another 5 minutes.
10. Remove from the air fryer and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving. Enjoy your crispy wings!
