These Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Bites are Sweet, spicy, baked cauliflower bites topped with an amazing Asian-inspired sticky sauce! Serve them as finger food appetizers or as the main course over rice for a delicious veggie dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 whole egg whites
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil or vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sweet chili sauce or sriracha
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
- Add egg whites to a large ziploc bag; add cauliflower florets, close the bag, and shake it around until everything is well combined.
- In a separate ziploc bag combine panko crumbs, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; add cauliflower florets to the bag, close it, and shake it around until everything is well combined.
- Transfer cauliflower florets to previously prepared baking sheet; bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.
- In the meantime, prepare the sauce.
- In a nonstick skillet set over medium heat, combine sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, chili sauce and garlic; bring to a simmer.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a small mixing bowl combine cornstarch and water and stir until cornstarch is dissolved.
- Add cornstarch mixture to soy sauce mixture and stir to combine; remove from heat.
- Remove cauliflower florets from oven and either add them to the sauce OR pour sauce over the florets. Mix until well combined.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve as appetizer or serve over rice.
