Bang Bang Cauliflower (Vegan)

This vegan bang bang cauliflower delivers crisp, golden florets coated in a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce inspired by the classic restaurant favorite. It’s a lighter, oven-baked take that focuses on crunch, balance, and bold flavor—without deep frying.

This vegan bang bang cauliflower is crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and coated in a creamy, sweet-spicy bang bang sauce that hits all the right notes. It’s baked instead of fried, and also air fryer-friendly. It delivers a satisfying crunch, making it a low-effort shareable appetizer or an add-on dinner component.

The cauliflower is breaded lightly, baked until golden, and finished with the sauce at just the right moment so it stays crisp instead of soggy. Serve it straight from the baking sheet or air fryer, pile it into tacos, or add it to bowls when you want bold flavor and texture in bite-sized form.

What Is Bang Bang Cauliflower?

Bang bang cauliflower is a plant-based spin on classic bang bang shrimp, swapping seafood for crispy cauliflower florets coated in a sweet-spicy, creamy sauce. The sauce traditionally combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and lime for that familiar balance of heat, tang, and richness.

In this version, the cauliflower is baked (or air fried) until crisp first, then finished with the sauce at the end. JUST Egg helps the panko coating adhere, while vegan mayo adds the creamy element that pulls everything together. The result is cauliflower that stays crunchy, saucy, and satisfying in each bite.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is built to stay crisp without deep frying. The coating is designed to bake or air fry evenly, creating a light crunch that holds up under a rich, tangy sauce.

The cauliflower rests for a couple of minutes before being sauced, which lets steam escape. That timing matters—it keeps the coating intact instead of soggy once the bang bang sauce is drizzled on. Both the oven and air fryer methods were tested and produce the same result: crisp on the outside, tender inside, and sturdy enough to handle saucing and reheating without falling apart.

Key Ingredients (And Why They Matter)

This recipe has a short ingredient list, adding to its ease. The goal? Crispness, adhesion, and a sauce that coats and clings without weighing everything down. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cauliflower: Cauliflower florets create the structure here. Choose a fresh head with tightly packed florets, no brown spots, and vibrant green leaves. Cutting the cauliflower into evenly sized, bite-sized pieces helps it cook at the same rate and crisp up consistently.
• White rice flour: Rice flour lightly dusts the cauliflower before it hits the wet coating. It absorbs surface moisture and creates a dry base, which helps the final coating bake up crisp and crunchy.
• JUST Egg: JUST Egg is a vegan egg replacer that acts as a binder to help the panko adhere evenly.
• Panko breadcrumbs: Panko adds texture without density. The larger crumbs create air pockets, which is what gives the cauliflower its light, crunchy exterior instead of a heavy crust.
• Vegan mayonnaise: Vegan mayo forms the creamy base of the bang bang sauce. It softens the heat from the chili sauce and gives the sauce enough body to cling without making it soggy.
• Sweet chili sauce + sriracha + lime: Sweet chili sauce provides sweetness and gentle heat, sriracha adds punch, and lime sharpens everything at the end. Together, they create the classic bang bang flavor that’s bold but balanced.

How to Make Bang Bang Cauliflower (Oven Method)

This oven method delivers even golden browning, a crisp coating, and cauliflower that stays tender inside. Here’s what you’ll do:

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Step 2: Set up your breading station next to the baking sheet. Place the rinsed cauliflower florets in a large bowl, pour the JUST Egg into a second bowl, and add the panko to a third bowl. Keeping everything in order creates an assembly-line process that keeps it simple.
• Step 3: Sprinkle the rice flour directly over the cauliflower and toss with your hands until the florets are lightly and evenly coated. Working in small batches, transfer some of the cauliflower to the JUST Egg and coat well, then move to the panko, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere.
• Step 4: Arrange the breaded florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces. Spray generously with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper.
• Step 5: Bake for 15 minutes, or until the tops begin to turn golden. Flip the florets, spray again, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until crisp and evenly browned.
• Step 6: While the cauliflower bakes, make the bang bang sauce. Whisk together the vegan mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl. Taste and adjust as needed, then set aside until ready to serve.
• Step 7: Once baked, let the cauliflower rest for a couple of minutes before adding the bang bang sauce. This short pause lets steam escape and helps the coating stay crisp when sauced.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower (Optional Method)

This recipe can also be air fried instead of baked. The air fryer uses the same coating and timing principles as the oven method and is a good option when you want slightly faster results. Follow the same breading and coating steps as the oven method, then air fry instead of baking. Here’s what you’ll do:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Arrange the breaded cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. You’ll likely need to work in two batches. Spray generously with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Air fry for 6–8 minutes, until the tops begin to turn golden. Lightly spray again, gently shake or flip the florets, and return them to the air fryer for another 2–3 minutes, or until crisp and evenly browned.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a plate and let it rest for 2–3 minutes before adding the bang bang sauce. As with the oven method, this short pause lets steam escape so the coating stays crisp once sauced.

How To Keep It Crispy

Crispness comes down to timing and airflow more than extra ingredients. These small details make the difference:

• Give the florets space. Whether baking or air frying, arrange the cauliflower in a single layer with room between pieces. Crowding traps steam and softens the coating before it has a chance to crisp.
• Sauce after a short rest. Let the cauliflower cool for 2–3 minutes before adding the bang bang sauce. This brief pause allows steam to escape so the coating stays intact instead of turning soggy.
• Reheat with dry heat. Leftovers re-crisp best in a 375°F oven or a 400°F air fryer. Avoid the microwave, which softens the coating and dulls the texture.
• Keep the sauce separate for leftovers. If you’re planning to store leftovers, don’t sauce the cauliflower ahead of time. Store the sauce separately and add it after reheating to keep the coating crisp.

Serving Ideas

This dish works best when it stays crisp and front-and-center. Here are some ways to serve it, pair it, and make it shine:

• Straight from the pan: Serve it hot and crisp with extra bang bang sauce on the side for snacking, game day, or casual entertaining.
• Over rice or grains: Spoon the cauliflower over steamed rice or grain bowls for a simple, satisfying plate. The neutral base balances the sweet-spicy sauce without clashing flavors.
• As part of an appetizer spread: Pair it with spring rolls, edamame, or crispy tofu bites. Keep the focus on crunch and contrast, with extra bang bang sauce on the side for dipping.

FAQs

More Cauliflower Recipes To Try Next

• General Tso’s Cauliflower
• Gochujang Cauliflower
• Buffalo Cauliflower in the Air Fryer (Crispy & Easy!)
• The Best Gobi Manchurian (Crispy & Vegan)

If you tried this bang bang cauliflower, I’d love your feedback! Please leave a comment and rating below. It helps others find this recipe, and makes my day.

This recipe was originally published in 2016 and retested and updated in 2026, replacing Ener-G with JUST Egg and adding an air-fryer cooking option.