Ohhh yes 😍 Fried Cauliflower—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. You can make it lightly battered or just seasoned for a healthier version.
🥦 Crispy Fried Cauliflower
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½–1 tsp paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne (optional, for flavor)
- 1 cup water or milk
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
Instructions – Deep Fry Version
1️⃣ Prepare batter
- In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and optional spices
- Gradually whisk in water or milk until smooth (like pancake batter)
2️⃣ Heat oil
- Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C)
3️⃣ Coat cauliflower
- Dip florets in batter, letting excess drip off
4️⃣ Fry
- Fry florets in batches 3–5 minutes until golden brown and crispy
- Drain on paper towels
5️⃣ Serve
- Sprinkle with a little extra salt
- Serve with dipping sauce: ranch, buffalo, garlic aioli, or sweet chili
Alternative – Oven-Baked Crispy Cauliflower
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
- Toss cauliflower in 2–3 tbsp oil and seasonings
- Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Bake 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy
🔥 Pro Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—florets cook unevenly
- For extra crunch, coat fried cauliflower with panko crumbs after battering
- Serve immediately for best texture
Variations
🌶 Buffalo cauliflower – toss fried or baked florets in buffalo sauce
🧄 Garlic Parmesan – sprinkle with garlic powder & Parmesan
🍯 Sweet & spicy – drizzle with honey and chili flakes
🥜 Asian-style – toss in soy sauce, ginger, and sesame seeds
If you want, I can give you a restaurant-style crispy fried cauliflower recipe that’s crunchy on the outside, tender inside, and has a perfect seasoning blend 😋🥦🔥
Do you want me to do that?
