Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (2024)

Published: by Richa 227 Comments

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This Sticky Sesame Cauliflower is a crowd pleaser! Cauliflower is battered and baked , then coated in sticky spicy sesame sauce and baked again. Serve as is or with rice or in lettuce cups. Vegan Gluten-free Nut-free Refined sugar free Recipe Jump to Recipe

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (1)

When you need some sticky sweet tangy delicious sauced something, cauliflower fits right in. Cauliflower florets are tossed in a rice flour and starch batter and baked to crisp. The sticky sesame sauce uses sesame oil, garlic, ginger, soy/tamari, vinegar, maple syrup and some sriracha for heat for a addictive flavor profile. Brush this sticky sauce on the baked cauliflower and serve, or bake again for more sticky crispy cauliflower!

Serve it over rice, by itself or in lettuce wraps! I use sesame oil in the batter and the sauce for extra sesame flavor profile. For additional protein, add in some firm tofu, seitan or soycurls with the cauliflower. Lets make this!

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (2)

Ingredients for Sticky Sesame Cauliflower and substitution options

  • The Sticky Sesame Sauce has sesame oil, garlic, ginger, tamari/soy sauce, maple syrup for sweet, rice vinegar, Sriracha, and starch to thicken.
  • You can use coconut aminos to make this soy-free
  • Maple syrup can be subbed with sugar or other sweetener
  • Omit the Sriracha for lower heat.
  • The batter for the crispy cauliflower has –
  • rice flour, that makes the batter crisp and non doughy on baking. You can use a mix of half all purpose flour and half starch as a substitute.
  • corn or tapioca starch to add lighter and crisp texture
  • sesame oil for more sesame profile
  • black pepper, salt and garlic for flavor
  • garnished of lightly toasted white sesame and black sesame seeds and scallions.

How to make Sticky Sesame Cauliflower

Chop the cauliflower into similar size florets. Mix the dry ingredients for the batter in a large bowl. Add water and mix to make a smooth batter.

Add florets to the batter and toss well to coat.

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (3)

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (4) Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (5)

Transfer to the parchment lined baking sheet or dish and bake for 30 minutes.

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (6) Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (7)

Meanwhile, assemble the sauce ingredients. Saute the ginger and garlic in sesame oil for a minute, then add the soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha and maple syrup and bring to a boil.

Add cornstarch slurry and cook to thicken.

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Brush the sticky thick sauce on the cauliflower florets or add the florets to the sauce and mix gently. Then bake again.

Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions and serve over rice.

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (12)

Tips to make Crispy Sticky Sesame Cauliflower

  • For a nicely crispy result, bake the cauliflower on a baking sheet.
  • Bake the sauce coated cauliflower for longer.
  • Use smaller size cauliflower florets

If you plan to serve the sauced cauliflower without baking, you can add another tsp starch for extra thick sauce that will glaze the cauliflower.

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (13)

More Cauliflower Recipes

  • Taco Spice roasted Cauliflower
  • Spicy Pepper Cauliflower Bites
  • Mango Sriracha Cauliflower
  • Aloo Gobi – Baked
  • Nashville Cauliflower Bites
  • Kung Pao Cauliflower

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (14)

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Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (15)

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4.97 from 92 votes

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten free Vegan)

This Sticky Sesame Cauliflower is a crowd pleaser! Cauliflower is battered and baked , then coated in sticky spicy sesame sauce and baked again. Serve as is or with rice or in lettuce cups. Vegan Gluten-free Nut-free Refined sugar free Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Vegan

Keyword: crispy sesame cauliflower, sesame cauliflower, sticky sesame cauliflower recipe, sticky sesame sauce

Servings: 4

Calories: 229kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

Sesame Soy Sauce:

  • 2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 2 tsp fresh grated ginger
  • 2 cloves of garlic , minced
  • ¼ cup (59.15 ml) gluten-free tamari or soy sauce
  • cup (78.86 ml) maple syrup
  • 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sriracha
  • 2 tsp cornstarch or 1.5 tsp tapioca starch
  • ¼ cup (59.15 ml) cold water

Cauliflower:

  • ½ cup rice flour
  • 3 tbsp tapioca or corn starch.
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • dash of black pepper and cayenne
  • ½ cup (118.29 ml) water
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 (265 g) small head of cauliflower , chopped into equal size florets
  • Garnish: sesame seeds and scallions

Instructions

  • Sticky Sesame Sauce: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Cook the garlic ginger for a minute. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple and bring to boil. Mix cornstarch in the water and add this cornstarch slurry and bring to a boil to thicken, Take off heat.

  • Cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 425 deg F ( 220 C). Line a baking sheet or dish with parchment. In a large bowl add the dry ingredients for the batter and whisk well. Add the wet ingredients and min until smooth.

  • Add the cauliflower and mix to coat. This batter keeps thickening as it sits, so mix and toss quickly.

  • Transfer to the the lined baking sheet. and bake for 30 mins. Make the sticky sauce in the meanwhile if you havent yet.

  • Once baked, you can do one of the following:

    1. Brush the sauce over the cauliflower florets and bake for additional 10 to 15 mins (time depends on how crisp and sticky you want the sauce)

    2. Wait for a few mins then transfer the florets to the sauce. Mix gently to coat. Serve immediately or transfer to the baking sheet to bake for 10 to 15 mins.

  • Sprinkle black and white sesame seeds and chopped scallions and serve as is, or over rice or in lettuce wraps!

Video

Notes

Sub some of the cauliflower with firm tofu, rehydrated soy curls, or seitan for added protein.

Nutrition is for 1 serve, does not include rice

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe (Gluten free Vegan)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 229Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 652mg28%

Potassium 310mg9%

Carbohydrates 43g14%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin C 37.5mg45%

Calcium 43mg4%

Iron 0.8mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Did you make this recipe?Please do leave a comment and rating below.. Tag me on Instagram @veganricha

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  1. Cindy R

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (20)
    This was super tasty! Definitely a keeper. Do you think I could substitute tofu for the cauliflower?

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Yes tofu will work.

      Reply

  2. Fifi

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (21)
    Utterly delicious, served with Asian Slaw, will be making again and again.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Yay!! Thank you for commenting.

      Reply

  3. Kayla

    Can agave be subbed?

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Yes

      Reply

  4. Becca

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (22)
    Mmmm! I made this for our Super Bowl party and they were a hit. I subbed oat flour for rice flour because I didn’t have it on hand-it still worked out. My hubby practically licked the bowl clean after all the cauliflower was gone.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Hahahaha thats’s great!

      Reply

  5. Jam

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (23)
    This is great! Made it twice now. First time with cauliflower and tofu. Second time cauliflower and broccoli! First time baked after sauce was on, second time did not. Both were fantastic! This is on the regular menu now. Great way to get in some veggies

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Awesome!

      Reply

  6. Nancy

    How do you get the batter to stick to the cauliflower? It tasted fine but I could have roasted the cauliflower without the batter because it was all in a sheet under the vegetables. I would appreciate any suggestions.

    Reply

    • Richa

      Make a thicker batter the nut doesn’t slip off, see video. That’s why I use rice flour. Did you change anything? If using all purpose flour you’ll need a tad bit more to get a thick batter

      Reply

  7. Mary

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (24)
    Turned out great! Easier and better tasting than other similar recipes I’ve tried in the past.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Good to know!

      Reply

  8. Katrina

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (25)
    This recipe came out sooooooo good, I actually made the comment to my boyfriend that I could serve it in a restaurant lol. I’m making it a new part of my regular go-to meals for sure, it really hit the spot!!

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Happy to hear!

      Reply

  9. Jean Simmons

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (26)
    Made this last night – super tasty. I added cubes of tofu to the cauli mix to up the protein which worked well. Will definitely make again.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Awesome!

      Reply

  10. Pam

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (27)
    Made this tonight! So glad I did. It was a 15 out of 10! Thank you for another wonderful recipe!

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Thank you for making my recipes!

      Reply

  11. Julia

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (28)
    Absolutely amazing! Just made this and it absolutely rivals the expensive version at a local boutique restaurant that I’m sure is full of fat, sugar and everything else.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Awesome!

      Reply

  12. Cindy

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (29)
    This is the first recipe of yours I have made. Incredible! I will definitely be adding this to our favorite recipe list! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Welcome Cindy!! Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  13. Lulu

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (30)
    Hi from France!
    I discovered your website belatedly, but now, after I bought your first book, I keep going back and doing recipes daily. Your Instagram page is such an inspiration. I went to an Asian shop to buy the spices and herbs I did not own (not too many, but still).
    This one is for today, for a family of 5 including two teens, so I more than doubled.
    Thank you so much for your flavourful ideas, I think you are our favorite chef so far!

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Thank you so much for your kind words!

      Reply

  14. Liz

    Looks delicious!! Can you substitute a different type of flour if you don’t have rice flour?

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Yes, you can use all purpose flour, but will need a little bit more to get the batter thick enough.

      Reply

  15. Kater

    Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (31)
    Amazing; it was a hit, worth the long baking time.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      thank you!

      Reply

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Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Vegan Richa (2024)

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