Easy Crispy Gojuchang Cauliflower Bites (Vegetarian)

I am obsessed with fried cauliflower! It is one of the most versatile vegetables and it tastes so good when it is nice and crispy. These delicious crispy bites taste amazing with a sweet and spicy gojuchang sauce! I love this Korean twist to a fun vegetable appetizer or snack. This dish pairs great with the creamy sriracha dipping sauce that balances out the tangy flavor.

The most important part when prepping the cauliflower is making sure you break up the pieces into bite sized pieces. It will fry better and be easier to eat. Make sure you thoroughly wash your cauliflower and pat dry. Then set your cauliflower aside to work on the fry batter station.

I like to double break my cauliflower for an extra crispy outside. I prefer the traditional egg wash and flour combo rather than a beer batter. I find it gets crispier and has better structure. For extra crisp, add some cornstarch to your seasoned dry ingredients. You want to dip in the egg, then flour, back into the egg, and lastly in the flour.

For the oil, make sure it is nice and hot. You want to fry for about 8 minutes until they are golden brown. While your cauliflower is frying, we can create the sauce coating. This is the perfect sweet and spicy flavor combination. I love adding honey to this sauce to balance out the chili paste. I do think the gojuchang is pretty mild, but with the added sriracha, it adds that subtle kick. This this out with water and toss your fried cauliflower into the sauce.

I like making a simple mild and creamy sriracha dipping sauce! It is only mayonnaise, sriracha, salt and pepper. You can top your cauliflower with sesame seeds and green onion!

Easy Crispy Gochujang Cauliflower Bites (Vegetarian)

These Easy Crispy Gochujang Cauliflower Bites are a sweet, spicy, and crunchy vegetarian snack or appetizer! The double-battered cauliflower is fried to perfection and coated in a savory gochujang and honey glaze, then paired with a creamy sriracha dipping sauce. Perfect for game days, gatherings, or anytime you’re craving a crispy treat!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Korean, vegetarian

Servings 4

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Deep Skillet or Fryer
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Paper towels

Ingredients

  

For the Cauliflower:

• 1 head cauliflower cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 cups hot fry oil vegetable or canola oil

For the Batter:

• 2 eggs whisked
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp salt

For the Gochujang Sauce:

• ¼ cup gochujang Korean chili paste
• ¼ cup sriracha
• 1 tbsp honey
• ¼ cup water to thin the sauce
• For the Creamy Sriracha Dipping Sauce:
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tsp salt and pepper

Optional Toppings:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Instructions

 

1️⃣ Prep the Cauliflower

• Wash and cut cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry and set aside.

2️⃣ Make the Batter & Coat the Cauliflower

• Set up a batter station with:
• One bowl of whisked eggs
• One bowl of cornstarch, flour, paprika, garlic powder, and salt
• Dip each cauliflower piece into the egg wash, then flour mixture, back into the egg wash, and again in the flour mixture for an extra crispy coating.

3️⃣ Fry the Cauliflower

• Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry cauliflower in batches for 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

4️⃣ Make the Gochujang Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, sriracha, honey, and water. Adjust consistency by adding more water if needed.

5️⃣ Prepare the Creamy Sriracha Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sriracha, salt, and pepper until smooth.

6️⃣ Toss & Serve

• Toss fried cauliflower in gochujang sauce until well coated. Serve immediately with sesame seeds, green onions, and creamy sriracha dipping sauce.

Keyword cauliflower, crispy, Easy, easy vegetarian recipes, gochujang