Description
Savory bbq cauliflower bites bowl delivers a plant-based explosion of smoky, tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy roasted cauliflower nestled with fresh vegetables and zesty sauce promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
Batter and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ¾ cup unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (plus more for drizzling)
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions or cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Organize your workspace and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment, ensuring the oven rack is positioned in the middle for even cooking.
- Create a light, seasoned batter by thoroughly whisking flour, plant milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Carefully coat each cauliflower floret in the prepared batter, allowing excess to drip off, then arrange pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet with slight spacing between them.
- Roast the battered cauliflower in a preheated 425F (220C) oven for approximately 20 minutes, developing a golden exterior and ensuring a tender interior.
- Remove cauliflower from the oven and generously coat each piece with BBQ sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Return sauced cauliflower to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a sticky, crispy exterior.
- Simultaneously prepare accompanying components by cooking grains, slicing avocado, chopping fresh vegetables, and arranging complementary toppings.
- Construct the bowl by layering a foundation of rice or quinoa, then strategically placing BBQ cauliflower bites, crisp cabbage, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and aromatic green onions or cilantro.
- Finish the dish with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce and a bright squeeze of fresh lime juice to enhance the overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Use a high-powered blender or whisk vigorously to ensure the batter is completely smooth without lumps for an even coating on cauliflower.
- Shake off excess batter thoroughly to prevent soggy, heavy cauliflower bites that won’t crisp up properly in the oven.
- Choose a thick, tangy BBQ sauce with good consistency to help the coating stick and create a glossy, caramelized exterior during the second bake.
- Switch to gluten-free flour or alternative like almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same liquid-to-flour ratio for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg