Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites

Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites with a sweet and spicy sauce are the best finger-food appetizer or side dish for everyone, from vegans to meat-lovers! Gluten-Free option available.

Cauliflower bites are always a big hit at my house. Whether I serve them on game day as a vegetarian appetizer (that everyone loves) or on a bowl of quinoa for a simple, but satisfying vegetarian meal, I really can't go wrong. These bites are coated in crunchy, garlicky, and savory everything bagel seasoning, which is a total crowd-pleaser. And the dipping sauce can't be missed!

Tricks to The Crispiest Cauliflower Wings

To make sure your wings get as crispy as possible, follow these simple tips:

• Make sure each wing has plenty of space on the baking sheet. The airflow helps things crisp up.
• Make sure you’re using fresh, not soggy or stale, breadcrumbs.
• Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Let the wings cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving them.

Ingredients for Everything Cauliflower Bites

To make these savory and sweet cauliflower bites, you'll start by making the cauliflower. Then make the sauce. Here's what you need for the cauliflower bites:

• Cauliflower. Choose a large head to make big florets.
• Corn flakes. If necessary, choose gluten-free cornflakes for the crunchiest cauliflower bites.
• Breadcrumbs. You can buy store-bought breadcrumbs or panko. Or see the notes below the recipe to easily make your own Seasoned Toasted Panko Bread Crumbs).
• Flour. You can use gluten-free all-purpose flour if you like.
• Everything bagel seasoning. Again, it's easy to make your own. See the notes section below the recipe for how to.
• Almond milk. You can use any plant-based milk you like. I use this no-soak homemade almond milk.
• Buffalo sauce. If you have time, I recommend making your own buffalo sauce.
• Seasonings. The cauliflower wings get extra flavor from garlic powder and smoked paprika.

Sweet and Spicy Sauce

To round out these crunchy Everything Bagel Bites, serve them with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce that everyone loves. It's made with:

• Buffalo sauce. Which can be store-bought or homemade.
• Brown sugar
• BBQ sauce. Also, you can make your own barbecue sauce if you have time.
• Maple syrup. You can also use honey if you're not vegan.
• Vegetable stock. I like to use organic low-sodium stock. Making your own is even better!

How to Store Leftovers

These bites are best the day they're made, since they're so crispy. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat them in the oven or in an air fryer to crisp them back up when you're ready to serve.

How to Serve Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites

To serve these sweet + spicy bites, I recommend enjoying them fresh out of the oven. You can serve them as a vegetarian appetizer with forks and napkins. They’re delicious with a side of ranch dressing.

Or turn the bites into a savory and saucy salad topper! You can also incorporate the cauliflower into pasta, on tacos, top homemade pizza or make a vegetarian grain bowl with cauliflower and beans.

How Long to Bake Cauliflower Bites

The baking time will vary depending on your oven. Check the wings after 20 minutes, to make sure they’re nice and crunchy but not burning. If necessary, pop the wings under the broiler for 5 to 10 minutes for an extra crispy crust.

Can I Make Gluten-Free Cauliflower Bites?

Certainly! To make these everything bagel bites gluten-free, simply use gluten-free corn flakes or rice flakes. Then substitute the flour with gluten-free flour or rice flour.

More Vegetarian Cauliflower Recipes

• Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
• Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Bites
• Vegan Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
• Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta w/ Roasted Cauliflower

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you make these Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites, be sure to tag me on Instagram @orchidsandsweettea!

Sweet + Spicy Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites

May 23, 2022 •

By Shanika

5 from 6 votes

Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites with a sweet and spicy sauce are the best finger-food appetizer or side dish for everyone, from vegans to meat-lovers! Gluten-Free option available. 

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

CAULIFLOWER BITES:

• 1 head of Cauliflower, chopped in medium chunks
• 2 cups corn flakes, crushed into very small pieces
• 1 cup bread crumbs (You can make your own Seasoned Toasted Panko Bread Crumbs)
• ½ cup organic all-purpose flour
• 2-3 Tbsps Everything Bagel seasoning (See Notes!)
• 1 cup Almond milk (You can use your favorite plant-based milk)
• ¼ cup Buffalo sauce (Store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

SWEET + SPICY SAUCE:

• ½ cup Buffalo sauce (Store-bought or homemade)
• ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce (Store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vegetable stock, organic

TOPPINGS:

• Everything Bagel seasoning (See Notes!)

Instructions

TO MAKE THE CAULIFLOWER BITES:

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. NOTE: Doing this step is a MUST to prevent sticking.
• In a medium bowl, add the milk, flour, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, and whisk together until fully combined. Set aside.
• In ziplock bag, add the crushed corn flakes, breadcrumbs, and Everything Bagel seasoning together and shake them together until well combined and blended.
• Now, dip each cauliflower into batter (shaking off any excess) and then add it into the coating mixture within the ziplock bag, shaking everything together until cauliflower bite is well coated. Then lay each cauliflower side by side on the baking sheet (about an inch apart). Repeat until all cauliflower are coated.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and “crunchy” looking. NOTE: If not crispy enough, turn on broil and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

TO MAKE THE SWEET + SPICY SAUCE:

• Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk together until it begins to boil. Reduce heat to low-medium and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Once thickened enough to desired consistency, remove from heat and let cool.
• Once cauliflowers are crisp, remove from oven and toss them in the sauce until fully coated. Add coated cauliflower back to baking sheet and place them back in the oven (turning oven on broil) for about 5-6 minutes. Sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning for garnish.
• To serve, add cauliflower bites to a salad, tacos, atop pasta, as a topping on pizza, with quinoa or rice, or by themselves with Vegan Ranch dipping sauce.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Best if consumed within the same day. Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven when ready to serve.
• SWEETENER: Instead of brown sugar, you can always use maple syrup or agave as a sweetener.
• HOMEMADE EVERYTHING BAGEL SEASONING: To make your own seasoning blend, be sure to check out my Vegan Everything Bagel Brioche Bread recipe.
• EVERYTHING BAGEL SEASONING (STORAGE): This original recipe makes about ¼ cup, however, you can always make a larger batch of this and store it in an airtight container in a dry, cool place for up to 6 months.
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To ensure that these bites are GF-friendly, ensure that you use GF breadcrumbs as well as GF-friendly BBQ sauce, Buffalo sauce, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2942mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 7mg

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