Get ready to transform the humble cauliflower into a mouthwatering sensation that even the pickiest eaters won't be able to resist! These golden, crispy cauliflower nuggets are about to become your new favorite plant-based comfort food. Imagine biting into a perfectly seasoned, crunchy nugget that's not only delicious but also packed with nutrition – this recipe is a game-changer that will make you forget all about traditional chicken nuggets!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup plant-based milk
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This will ensure that your cauliflower nuggets cook evenly and become crispy.
- While the oven is heating, prepare the cauliflower. Rinse the head of cauliflower under cold water and then cut it into bite-sized florets. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly until well combined. This mixture will create the coating for your cauliflower nuggets.
- In a separate bowl, pour in the plant-based milk. This will be used to dip the cauliflower florets before coating them with the dry mixture.
- Take each cauliflower floret and first dip it into the plant-based milk, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, transfer the floret to the bowl with the almond flour mixture, ensuring it is well coated. Press the coating onto the floret gently to help it adhere. Repeat this process for all the florets.
- Once all the florets are coated, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure there is some space between each nugget to allow for proper air circulation and crisping.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy. Halfway through the cooking time, you may want to flip the nuggets to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Once cooked, remove the cauliflower nuggets from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. This will help them firm up a bit more.
- Serve the cauliflower nuggets warm, accompanied by your favorite dipping sauce, such as vegan ranch or hot sauce. Enjoy your delicious and healthy cauliflower nuggets!
Tips
- Size Matters: Cut your cauliflower florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness.
- Coating Technique: Press the almond flour mixture gently but firmly onto each floret to create a thick, crispy exterior that will give you that satisfying crunch.
- Spacing is Key: Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. Leave some space between each nugget to allow hot air to circulate and create an all-over crispy texture.
- Flip for Perfection: Halfway through cooking, flip the nuggets to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
- Dipping Sauce Suggestions: Experiment with different dipping sauces like vegan ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or tangy barbecue sauce to keep things interesting.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These nuggets can be prepared in advance and reheated in the oven to maintain their crispiness.Pro tip: For extra crispiness, you can briefly broil the nuggets for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking, but watch them carefully to prevent burning!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
