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A close-up shows several glossy Sticky Honey Garlic Cauliflower Wings piled on a rustic plate, garnished with fresh chives.

Sticky Honey Garlic Cauliflower Wings

These crispy, tender cauliflower florets are coated in a vibrant, sweet, and savory honey-garlic sauce, making them an irresistible vegetarian alternative to classic wings. Perfect as an appetizer or a delightful side dish!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Fusion
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cauliflower
  • 1 large head cauliflower about 1.5-2 lbs, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk or regular milk
  • 2 tbsp water
For the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp sriracha or to taste, for a little kick
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp water for cornstarch slurry
For Garnish
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives or green onions sliced

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl (x2)
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Tongs
  • Parchment Paper (if baking)

Method
 

Prepare the Cauliflower
  1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together plant-based milk and 2 tbsp water.
  4. Dip each cauliflower floret first into the wet mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the dry flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Place coated florets on a separate plate.
Air Fry/Bake the Cauliflower
  1. Working in batches, arrange coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
  2. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. If baking, bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender-crisp. Remove from air fryer/oven and set aside.
Make the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
  1. While cauliflower cooks, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sriracha, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small saucepan. Whisk until sugar dissolves.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 1 tbsp water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Combine and Serve
  1. In a large clean mixing bowl, add the cooked, crispy cauliflower florets. Pour the sticky honey garlic sauce over the cauliflower.
  2. Toss gently with tongs until all the cauliflower is evenly coated. Transfer the Sticky Honey Garlic Cauliflower Wings to a serving platter. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced chives or green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra crispy coating, you can double-dip the cauliflower: wet, dry, wet, dry. Adjust sriracha to your preferred spice level. For no heat, omit it. These wings are best served immediately to retain crispiness. If you have leftovers, reheat them briefly in an air fryer or oven for a few minutes to crisp them up again, but they may soften slightly. To make ahead, prepare and cook the cauliflower, then store separately from the sauce. Reheat cauliflower and warm sauce before tossing together.