Orange Cauliflower

What Is Orange Cauliflower?

Orange cauliflower is a vegan copycat version of the popular Chinese orange chicken.

This Chinese-inspired vegan curry is made from cauliflower florets, baked with a flour crumb coating to mimic chicken pieces.

Then, it’s coated with a homemade sweet and sour orange sauce and usually served with rice.

How To Make Orange Cauliflower

It’s very easy to make this recipe but it takes a bit of preparation because there are many ingredients involved.

But overall, no need to be an expert cook to master this delicious dinner.

Ingredients

To coat the cauliflower florets you need:

• Cauliflower Head – cut into tiny 1.5-inch florets (3cm).
• All-Purpose Flour or white spelt flour.
• Panko Crumbs – This is optional but adds a crispy texture to the baked florets.
• Almond Milk or any plant-based milk you love.
• Salt
• Orange Zest from a fresh, untreated orange.
• Garlic Powder
• Ginger

For the orange sauce you will need the ingredients below:

• Sesame Oil or coconut oil
• Garlic Cloves – crushed
• Ginger
• Orange Juice from a fresh orange
• Soft Brown Sugar
• Soy Sauce
• Rice Vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Water

Baking The Cauliflower

First, clean the cauliflower head and remove its feet and green leaves. Discard and compost these parts.

Next, using a small sharp knife, cut the cauliflower into 1.5-inch florets (3cm). Set them aside in a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 410°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper with cooking oil spray. Set aside.

In another bowl, prepare the coating: sit flour, almond milk, salt, ginger, orange zest, and garlic powder.

Next, place the panko crumb in a separate bowl.

Dip each cauliflower floret using two forks, one at a time, into the milk flour mixture. Wait for a few seconds above the bowl to let the extra run down the bowl.

Then roll them into the panko crumb and place the florets on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the florets have been coated.

Spray cooking oil spray onto the florets and bake them for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

You can shake the tray halfway and spray some extra oil to ensure the breadcrumb crisp well on all sides.

Orange Sauce

Ten minutes before the cauliflower is fully baked, start the sauce. In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat warm oil and cook garlic then add all the remaining ingredients.

Whisk and cook on low medium heat until the sauce is bubbly and thick.

Remove the cauliflower florets from the oven and set aside for 5 minutes to cool down lightly.

Then, place in a large mixing bowl.

Pour the orange sauce on top and toss to coat evenly.

Serving

Serve the orange cauliflower with:

• Jasmine Rice or try my Coconut Jasmine Rice for an extra boost of flavor
• Rice Noodles
• Sesame Seeds
• Green Onions
• Red Chili Pepper Flakes

Storage Instructions

You can store this orange cauliflower recipe in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days in a sealed container.

Another option is to freeze leftovers in an airtight box where they last for one month.

Thaw in the fridge and rewarm in a microwave-safe bowl or over the stove over medium heat.

Allergy Swaps

If you have food allergies, try some of the options below to adapt the recipe.

• Gluten-Free – Use all-purpose gluten-free flour to coat the florets. Next, pick wheat-free soy sauce like coconut aminos or tamari sauce. Finally, use gluten-free panko crumbs or skip the crumbs.
• Oil-Free – You can cook all the orange sauce ingredients together, minus the oil, with great success.
• Nut-Free – Replace the almond milk with any plant-based milk you love, like coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
• Corn-Free – Replace the cornstarch with tapioca starch or arrowroot flour. Both are also gluten-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are my answers to your most common questions about this recipe.

Can I Air Fry Cauliflower?

You can place the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 395°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes.

Shake the basket halfway and set aside the air-fried cauliflower on a plate covered with foil to keep it warm.

Then, repeat these steps to air-fry the remaining florets.

How Can I Add Protein To The Recipe?

You can boost the protein content of the dish by serving the recipe with edamame beans or cooked quinoa. Read how to cook quinoa in a rice cooker.

Or, you can coat half the cauliflower with some firm tofu cubes. Read my orange tofu recipe if needed.

Can I Use Another Vegetable For This Recipe?

This recipe should work with broccoli florets as well or any firm vegetables that won’t release much water.