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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
Recently spent a cottage weekend with my girlfriends and after having fun playing cards into the early evening, I prepared for the first time your Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower recipe. It was perfect for an evening dinner served over rice with a mixed green salad on the side. My girlfriends LOVED it! Will definitely make it again for my hubby. He is a meat man so I’ll simply add in chicken. BTW……I’d give it a 10/10 and your recipe photos are the best! They inspire me to go for presentation marks, signed BIG fan of HBH!
Hey Yvonne,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it looks delish! However , I think one of ingredients was bad it wasn’t the flavor I was expecting. It started to taste bitter ? could it be the sesame oil I used? I can’t figure out what ingredient I used incorrectly? I will make this again for sure ! Thank you!
Hey Noreen,
So sorry to hear this!! It could be the orange zest, you want to make sure you aren’t getting any of the white of the orange peel when zesting. I hope this helps for next time!! xTieghan
OMG! This was so good! And easy! Even my “must have meat” husband loved it! I’m trying to get him to eat more meatless dinners, so more like this please,
Hey Regina,
Awesome!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a hit!! xxT
Would making these work in an air fryer?
Hey Karen,
I’ve not tested it, but I bet that would work well for you! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
I made these in the air fryer instead of baking them. 400 degrees for 14 to 15 minutes. Then I tossed them with the sauce after the sauce and the cauliflower cooled a bit and baked them in the oven at 425 for a few minutes to heat them back up. They turned out AMAZING.
For the baked sesame, orange bajed Cauliflower…….
Do I spray oil on to the cauliflower before baking?
Or do I just put it in the oven as is only with the egg and breadcrumbs?
Hi Karine,
No need to spray the cauliflower with oil, you can follow the recipe as is. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
We are definitely not vegetarians and we loved this. I added some red bell pepper into the mix and it was a yummy addition to an already yummy dish.
Hey Angela,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Absolutely LOVE this recipe, it is my new favorite thing! I recently started a vegetarian diet and will definitely be adding this to my weekly rotation.
I forgot oranges at the store and substituted Simply Orange Pulp Free orange juice. It obviously added a little extra sweetness to the sauce, but I don’t mind it at all. Even my husband who detests cauliflower liked this.
Hi Raegan,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Very good. Next time, I think it could be improved by tossing the cauliflower florets in flour before the egg wash. Also, I decided to add the chopped white parts of the green onions to sauce at the last minute and it was good, but adding it earlier, say to the the ginger/garlic mixture would also deepen the flavor of the sauce.
But – those are just surface edits – this is a great recipe that I’ll make again! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Rose,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Delicious! Thank you! I love cauliflower, and the flavors and textures of this recipe are great. I served with basmati rice and Chinese style mustard greens.
Hey Courtney,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Excellent recipe! My vegetarian daughter loved as did the rest of us. Easy to follow and so flavorful.
Hi Nicole,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
I love this tasty, healthy twist on an old favorite! The fresh OJ and fresh ginger flavors work so well with the cauliflower.
Hey Laura,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
The sauce is amazing. Love it!
Hi Christina,
Awesome!! Love hearing that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Loved! The sauce was the best ever and will use it in future with chicken. Thank you!
Hey Teresa,
Awesome!! Love hearing that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
I made this recipe today tonight and it was fantastic!! I served it of Jasmine rice, sprinkled with green pepper muons and toasted sesame seeds. It was delicious and i will definitely make it again! Thanks so much!!
Hey Carrie,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
This was delicious! I wish I took a picture because it looked impressive.
Hey Nancy,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT