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Crunchy Baked Hot Honey Cauliflower Recipe

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3.9 from 6 reviews

This Crunchy Baked Hot Honey Cauliflower recipe features crispy, baked cauliflower florets coated in a spicy cornflake and parmesan crust. Paired with a warm, sweet and spicy hot honey sauce and a cooling creamy wing sauce, it's a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional fried wings, perfect for a flavorful appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

Coating Mixture

  • 6 cups cornflakes (gluten free, if needed)
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Cauliflower & Egg Wash

  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 4-5 cups cauliflower florets
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Hot Honey Sauce

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 1-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Creamy Wing Sauce

  • 1/2 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil mayo
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Milk or water, to thin if needed

To Serve

  • Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or grated parmesan

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Prepare Coating Mixture: In a food processor, blend the cornflakes, parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until you achieve fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place the cornflakes in a ziplock bag and crush them manually. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl for easy dredging.
  3. Coat Cauliflower Florets: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and hot sauce together. Add the cauliflower florets and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly with the egg mixture. Then, dredge each floret through the cornflake crumb mixture, ensuring every piece is fully coated. Arrange the coated florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Drizzle and Bake Cauliflower: Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the coated cauliflower to promote crispiness during baking. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. After this, carefully flip each floret to the other side and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cauliflower is golden brown and crisp all around.
  5. Make Hot Honey Sauce: While the cauliflower is baking, warm together the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt in a small sauce pot over low heat. Stir occasionally until the sauce is heated through and flavors are well combined.
  6. Prepare Creamy Wing Sauce: In a glass jar or bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil mayo, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, chopped fresh chives, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir or shake well to combine. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a small amount of milk or water until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Once the cauliflower is baked and crispy, drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over it. Sprinkle fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley and the crumbled blue cheese or parmesan on top. Serve immediately with the creamy wing sauce on the side for dipping. If the hot honey sauce thickens as it cools, briefly warm it in the microwave for 5 seconds before serving. Enjoy your crunchy hot honey cauliflower!

Notes

  • Use gluten-free cornflakes to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce depending on your spice preference.
  • Flipping the cauliflower halfway through baking ensures even crispness on all sides.
  • If your honey sauce thickens too much after cooling, gently warm it before drizzling.
  • For an extra crispy coating, make sure the cauliflower florets are dry before dipping in the egg wash.

Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/crunchy-baked-hot-honey-cauliflower-recipe/