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Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower…a healthier approach to the classic Asian fried chicken. I’ve swapped the chicken for nutrient-packed cauliflower, then oven-baked it until crisp. The cauliflower is tossed in a yummy sesame orange sauce with fresh orange juice and chili flakes. It’s a little sweet and a little spicy with such great flavor. This is best served over steamed rice for a wholesome vegetarian dinner. A fun healthier take on a popular takeout dish.
I’ve really been into finding wholesome ways to create some of our favorite foods. I’ve done popcorn chicken, baked buffalo cauliflower, vegetable filled mac and cheese, and my list of possible recipes to create is still a mile long.
I guess it’s just the time of year. I’m still looking for those warming cozy recipes we all love, but made in a little lighter way. Plus, why not try to nourish our bodies with the flavors we love, just in a wholesome way, you know?
If we can do it, we should! And honestly, I couldn’t love this baked version of orange chicken more. Whether you use chicken or cauliflower, it’s all about the sauce, and it’s delicious. You know we love our sauces around here. And our stir fry recipes.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower florets
- Eggs
- Panko bread crumbs
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
- Garlic (four cloves of garlic)
- Fresh grated ginger
- Chili flakes
- Fresh orange juice
- Tamari/soy sauce (1/3 cup soy sauce)
- Rice vinegar
- Honey
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Green onions and sesame seeds, for serving
- Kosher salt and black pepper (just a pinch of salt needed)
- option to turn up the heat with a tsp sriracha
Kitchen Supplies
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium bowl
- Large skillet (I use a cast iron skillet)
- small saucepan
- Whisk
- airtight container
Details
The beginning of the recipe is very similar to my buffalo cauliflower. Except I’m using Panko bread crumbs for a little crunch.
Start off by breaking the cauliflower up into florets. Then whisk up a few eggs in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower right into the whisked eggs, then simply toss to coat.
Now dredge the cauliflower through the crumbs, then bake! It’s so simple and what I love most is that by baking the cauliflower you’re really able to taste the sweet, spicy, orange sauce instead of just a fried piece of cauliflower.
For the sauce, the key is to use fresh orange juice. This is perfect since we’re currently in winter citrus season. It takes a little more effort because you have to squeeze out all the juice, but the final results are worth it.
I add plenty of garlic to my sauce, then ginger, and chili flakes for a nice little kick.
The thing about orange sauce is that it’s really simple to make. Just orange juice, soy sauce, and a little something to make it sweet. Most recipes use sugar, but I love to use honey for something that’s more natural and even more delicious. It also adds a little flavor too.
Cook the sauce on the stove, then just toss in the cauliflower. See quicker than take out, right?
Steamed rice and toasted sesame seeds are a definite must for serving. The rice really helps to make this more of a complete meal.
I have to say, this is truly a recipe that everyone really loves…even if they don’t enjoy cauliflower. I was shocked when my picky-eater brothers gave this a try. Granted I also had chicken in the same sauce too, but everyone all agreed, this was the best dish of the night.
So, that should tell you right there…this is a recipe worth trying. When the brothers actually choose a vegetable-based dish, something about it must be REALLY GOOD.
For leftovers of this vegan orange cauliflower recipe, simply fill an airtight container and place in the fridge.
Looking for more vegetarian recipes? Here are a few to try:
Crispy Cheese Poblano Avocado Burrito
Pesto Potato Burrata Pizza with Spicy Arugula
Lastly, if you make this Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 346 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/4 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2-1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cup fresh orange juice + 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/3 cup tamari/soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- green onions, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the cauliflower and toss well to coat. In a separate bowl add the Panko. 3. Dredge the cauliflower through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower. Bake for 15 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil until crisp, 2-3 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, whisk together the corn starch and 2 tablespoons water.5. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. Cook 1-2 minutes. Add the orange juice, tamari/soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Bring to a boil, then whisk in the cornstarch and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat. Toss the cauliflower with the sauce. 6. Serve the cauliflower and sauce over steamed rice with sesame seeds and green onions.
This post was originally published on February 7, 2022
My husband likes a little more protein in his dinners. Could you do half chicken and half cauliflower for this sauce? Looks delicious!
I prepared it half and half tonight and it turned out perfectly!
Hey Michelle,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT
Hey Ashley,
Totally!! This would definitely work well for you. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This was really easy and sooo delish! Good flavor, just the right balance of sweet and hot. Didn’t have sesame seeds so used cashew pieces instead! Yum!
Hey Susi,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
For those with diabetes there are some great alternatives to the honey, panko, and corn starch. This recipe however sounds fantastic. It is simple and opens up endless possibilities with so many other veggies on the side and a Asian inspired salad rather than rice etc. I can’t wait to try this.
I hope you love the recipe Hugo!!
Sadly, it was not worth the prep time. When I added the cauliflower to the eggs, the eggs didn’t cling, and so neither did the panko. So in the oven I had clumps of panko coated in eggs alongside of raw cauliflower. The cauliflower cooked through and the sauce was tasty enough. The kitchen mess was formidable.
Hi there,
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
What is the Carbohydrate count for this recipe?
Hi there,
So sorry, I do not have that info. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
The recipe is easy to make and the cauliflower baked nicely, but I was not a fan of the sauce. I left the ginger out as my husband does not care for the flavor but I was disappointed the orange flavor did not come thru as much as I would have liked and the garlic was too heavy. I would try more orange and less garlic next time. My husband rated the recipe as “not a keeper”. He picked it out to try.
Hi Erica,
Sorry to hear the recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for making it. xTieghan
Excellent! Will definitely make again. Was unsure when to add the orange rind (didn’t see in directions). Added it to the sauce at the end. May add a bit less rind next time.
Hey Patty,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Sorry, you are going to add the zest in step 3. xxT
So delicious! Perfect for meat free Monday or any night you are craving orange chicken.
Wanted to drink the sauce, it’s that good. Thank you for such great, innovative recipes!
Hey Trish,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
What veggie would you recommend to accompany this!? I need to try ASAP, yum!
I’d serve with roasted broccoli and garlic or snap peas and carrots. I’m trying this recipe tomorrow. It sound delicious.
Hey Megan,
Since cauliflower is already a veggie I really just like to serve this with rice. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi! This looks delicious. For someone who doesn’t like orange flavor, could you substitute orange with lemon juice?
Hey Tanya,
Hmmm I am not sure that would be all that tasty, maybe you would enjoy one of these:
https://fett-weg.today/crispy-roasted-blackened-cauliflower/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/kung-pao-cauliflower/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/buffalo-cauliflower/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
OMG-this is so good & really easy. I love this & it’s going on repeat, probably tomorrow!!
Hey Dale,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Would you be able to use broccoli instead of cauliflower? Thank you!!
Hey Kari,
Sure, that would work for you! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
My husband and I liked this dish. We did broil again after we sauced and liked it even more. Of course my husband said it didn’t look like your picture LOL! He ate it up.
Hey Lisa,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Is there a recipe for the chicken shown?
Hi Roxy,
There is no chicken here, it’s all cauliflower:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Thankyou for your clear, easy to follow and consistently delicious recipes. I’ve preordered your new cookbook and can’t wait for it to arrive.
I recently purchased a new range that also has a Air Fry feature. Do you think this recipe would work well with Air Fry?
Thanx again for all the yumminess ?
Hey Linda,
Thanks so much for your kind message and support! Sure, I bet these would work well in the air fryer for you! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
What can you use to replace the eggs?
Ground flaxseed mixed with water
Hey there,
Buttermilk might work well in place of the eggs. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan