Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

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This baked orange cauliflower is a vegetarian version of Chinese Orange Chicken. The homemade orange sauce with crispy bites of cauliflower is so delicious!

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Cauliflower is all the rage in vegetarian cooking, and for good reason.

This crispy orange cauliflower is baked, not fried, and is a crazy delicious dupe for orange chicken.

When I was making my orange tofu recipe, I just knew that crispy chunks of cauliflower needed to happen next!

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It took me four times to perfect my orange sauce recipe, and now I’m using it on everything!

While I love a good classic stir fry sauce, or teriyaki sauce, there is just something so good about a homemade orange sauce.

It brings all the flavor of takeout to your dinner table.

I have now made this sauce with all kinds of stir fry recipes and it is such a fun change!

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How to Make Orange Cauliflower

Step 1: Wash and cut up a head of cauliflower into bite sized pieces.

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together flour, water, and seasonings to make the batter for dipping.

In a separate bowl add the panko bread crumbs.

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Step 3: Dip each piece of cauliflower into the batter, then tap off any excess.

Roll in the panko bread crumbs to coat.

Place each piece of cauliflower onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

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The parchment paper will make sure that the cauliflower gets nice and crispy without sticking.

Try not to let the pieces touch as they might stick together.

Step 4: Bake the cauliflower at 425 degrees for 20 – 30 minutes, flipping at least once halfway through.

This will allow the pieces to get crispy on all sides.

The end result should be super crisp bite sized pieces.

I used this same method to make this Teriyaki Cauliflower as a copycat for vegan Teriyaki Chicken!

Step 5: While the cauliflower is cooking, you will make a batch of the homemade orange sauce on the stove.

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What is orange sauce made of?

Homemade orange sauce is made of orange juice, brown sugar, pure maple syrup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger.

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Step 6: Once the cauliflower is done cooking, add it to the orange sauce and stir until the bites of cauliflower are totally coated.

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Serve this orange cauliflower over white rice for the ultimate takeout style dinner!

Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if you want to.

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I was delighted how much this tasted like orange chicken, and it was even delicious reheated the next day.

The oven gets the cauliflower crispy without frying it, making this a much lighter recipe.

The panko bread crumbs give it that great breaded texture!

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If you love orange sauce takeout, this orange cauliflower recipe is a must try.

White rice is a must, in my opinion, just like you would eat it if you ordered takeout!

If you love stir fry recipes, be sure to checkout these Teriyaki Vegetables too.

Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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Be sure to pin this recipe for later and followBuild Your Bite on Pinterestfor all the latest delicious recipes!

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Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

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Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

This crispy baked orange cauliflower is the vegetarian version of the classic Chinese favorite Orange Chicken.

Ingredients

For the Cauliflower

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 1 cup water
  • ¾ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs

For the Orange Sauce

  • 1 batch of Orange Sauce

for serving

  • 4 servings cooked white rice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  2. Wash and cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces
  3. In a bowl, combine the water, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt
  4. Place the panko bread crumbs in a separate bowl
  5. Dip each piece of cauliflower in the water/flour mixture, tap off excess, then roll in the panko bread crumbs. Add more bread crumbs if necessary.
  6. Place the breaded pieces of cauliflower on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
  7. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes, flipping at least once, until crispy on all sides.
  8. While the cauliflower is cooking, make a batch of orange sauce
  9. Once the cauliflower is finished cooking, add to the orange sauce and stir to coat
  10. Serve orange cauliflower over white rice and top with optional sesame seeds and green onions, if desired
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 453Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 566mgCarbohydrates: 92gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 12g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

What is orange cauliflower used for? ›

It tastes slightly more sugary and creamier than its cousin, but it can be successfully used in any recipe that calls for cauliflower: it's great when mashed, sauteed with potatoes, used as the base for soups, or roasted and served with pearl onions.

What are cauliflower bites made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs (or regular bread crumbs)
  • 1/2 c. finely grated Parmesan.
  • 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning.
  • Freshly ground black pepper.
  • head cauliflower, cut into florets.
  • large eggs, lightly whisked.
  • Marinara, for serving.
Jun 13, 2019

How do they make rainbow cauliflower? ›

The colored varieties are created by mixing cauliflower with other plants. For example, green cauliflower is a cross between cauliflower and broccoli. Beta carotene makes cauliflower orange. (It makes carrots orange too).

What does cheddar cauliflower taste like? ›

These super clean, dense and compact small heads (heavy for their size) offer up the same deliciously earthy and nutty taste sensations; although sometimes referred to as cheddar cauliflower, there is no cheese flavor.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites. As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

What color cauliflower is healthiest? ›

Purple. Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.

Why are my cauliflower bites soggy? ›

Soggy cauliflower wings can result from excess batter or overcrowding on the baking sheet. Be sure to shake off excess batter before baking, and give each floret enough space to allow for proper air circulation. Baking on a wire rack can also help prevent sogginess.

What goes well with cauliflower bites? ›

Ideas for veggies to pair with these cauliflower wings:
  • Braised or sauteed kale or spinach (pictured in my meal)
  • Crudites (raw cucumber, carrot, celery)
  • Roasted peppers and onions.
  • Roasted brussels sprouts or asparagus.
  • Sauteed green beans.
  • Chunky corn salsa.
Feb 5, 2021

Is it OK to eat a head of cauliflower? ›

Eating one entire head of cauliflower will supply you with four times the recommended amount of vitamin C. And since this nutrient is linked to immune support, enjoying some riced cauliflower in your citrus smoothie may give you that extra boost that your body needs during cold and flu season.

Is orange cauliflower good for you? ›

Orange cauliflower is an excellent source of beta-carotene, the orange pigment found within the cauliflower head that can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A supports healthy organ functioning, improves skin complexion, and can boost the immune system.

What are the 4 colors of cauliflower? ›

Many consumers may be familiar only with white cauliflower because this is the most widely available type. However, cauliflower varieties also include orange, green, and purple. Like the different colors of bell peppers, each color has different characteristics, flavors, and health benefits.

What makes orange cauliflower purple? ›

Don't worry. Purple cauliflower is not dyed. Its signature color comes from the same antioxidant found in red cabbage and red wine: anthocyanin. Sun exposure further exaggerates its effect on the cauliflower, resulting in bright purple heads.

Does orange cauliflower stay orange when cooked? ›

In sum, orange cauliflower will hold its color no matter how (or how long) you cook it and green cauliflower will stay green as long as you don't overcook it. Stick with sautéing purple cauliflower to prevent its color from fading or make sure to blanch it until just crisp-tender.

What is the difference between orange cauliflower and white cauliflower? ›

Orange cauliflower was first discovered in Canada in 1970, although it took years of crossbreeding before it was widely available. The color comes from a genetic mutation that allows the plant to hold more beta carotene. It also contains about 25% more vitamin A than white cauliflower.

Does orange cauliflower have a different taste? ›

Colored cauliflower holds the same firmness, crumbly florets, and texture as its white counterpart, with subtle differences in taste. Orange cauliflower is also dubbed “cheddar” cauliflower, though it tastes nothing like cheese. Its flavor is mild, slightly sweet, and creamy.

Can you eat orange cauliflower raw? ›

Cauliflower is nutritious, and my be eaten cooked, raw or pickled. It is also a cruciferous vegetable being studied for its role in reducing cancer risk. Orange cauliflower, slightly sweet and rich in beta‐carotene, is perfect for pies and soups.

How is orange cauliflower different from white? ›

Orange cauliflower actually came about as a genetic mutation that allows it to hold more beta carotene than its white counterpart. Green cauliflower, also known as broccoflower, is a hybrid of broccoli and cauliflower. Green cauliflower contains more beta carotene than white cauliflower, but less than broccoli.

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