General Tso Cauliflower Wings with Crispy Gluten-Free Coating and Spicy Sweet Sauce Recipe
A delicious and healthier twist on the classic General Tso's chicken, this General Tso Cauliflower features crispy cauliflower 'wings' baked to perfection and tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy homemade sauce. Perfect as a vegetarian appetizer or main dish, this recipe uses gluten-free ingredients, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions while still delivering bold, comforting flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into wing-sized florets
- ½ cup all purpose gluten free flour mix (60 grams)
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (120 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt (1.5 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (0.5 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (0.75 grams)
- 1 cup crispy gluten free breadcrumbs
General Tso Sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (4.5 grams)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger (2 grams)
- ¼ cup light soy sauce* (60 grams)
- ¼ cup raw unrefined brown sugar or coconut sugar (50 grams)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (30 grams)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water (slurry)
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds (1.5 grams), plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (15 grams)
- ½ cup water or broth (120 grams)
- Whole chillis (to boil) or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Chopped scallion (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silicone mat or greased foil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Remove the leaves and core of the cauliflower, then chop into bite-sized florets resembling the size of wings. Set aside.
- Make Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, unsweetened almond milk, sea salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder until smooth. Thin out with additional milk if the batter feels too thick.
- Coat Cauliflower: Toss each cauliflower floret in the batter one at a time, shaking off any excess to avoid sogginess. Then dip each piece into the gluten free breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating, and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for all florets.
- Bake Cauliflower Wings: Bake the coated cauliflower in the preheated oven for 22 minutes until golden and crispy. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to achieve the best texture.
- Prepare General Tso Sauce: While the cauliflower bakes, heat sesame oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant and sizzling. In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, water or broth, cornstarch slurry, and chili (whole or flakes). Pour this mixture into the pan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent clumps and allow the sauce to thicken evenly.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Remove the baked cauliflower wings from the oven. Toss them thoroughly in the prepared General Tso sauce using a spatula to coat each piece evenly.
- Final Bake: Place the sauced cauliflower wings back onto the baking sheet using tongs and bake for an additional 5 minutes. This helps the sauce absorb and caramelize slightly on the wings.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped scallions and extra sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy your crispy, flavorful General Tso Cauliflower!
Notes
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking the cauliflower to achieve maximum crispiness.
- You can adjust the level of spice by using whole chillis or red pepper flakes depending on your heat preference.
- If the batter is too thick, thin it with a splash of almond milk to ensure proper coating.
- Use gluten free flour and breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten free.
- This recipe works well as a vegetarian or vegan dish, confirm all ingredient labels to maintain dietary restrictions.
- For a sweeter sauce, feel free to add more brown sugar to taste.
- Leftover wings are best enjoyed immediately but can be reheated in a hot oven to retain crispiness.
