A healthy, gluten free, vegan spin on a classic takeout favorite - sesame chicken! This oven-baked recipe uses a lightly breaded, tender cauliflower instead of chicken for a crispy on the outside soft on the inside texture, and is coated in a flavorful sweet and savory sesame sauce!
Today’s easy to accomplish goal: Making sure Meatless Monday is NOT boring!! 🙌🏼 Every day is Meatless Monday around our house, and whether you’re a fellow vegan, trying to reduce the amount of animal products you consume, or just looking for an AMAZING recipe – you’re going to love this bowl!
This delightfully crispy, flavorful, takeout-style sesame cauliflower is truly TO DIE FOR! What makes it better than takeout?! Well, it’s just as delicious, way healthier (baked not fried, refined sugar free, and lower in sodium), less expensive, and ready in 35 minutes! Plus it’s gluten free AND vegan!
Your friends and family (and your taste buds!) will have no idea this recipe is a healthier, gluten-fee spin on your fav takeout dish because it’s just that GOOD! They will be begging for more.
Jackie Akerberg
Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa.
Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.
These No Fuss 4 Week Meal Plans consist of 30 minute meals, 3 meals a day with mocktails, desserts and snacks. Made with a certified nutritionist, weekly grocery lists, step by step tutorials and more!
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Better Than Takeout Sesame Cauliflower
jackfruitfulkitchen
A healthy, gluten free, vegan spin on a classic takeout favorite - sesame chicken! This oven-baked recipe uses a lightly breaded, tender cauliflower instead of chicken for a crispy on the outside soft on the inside texture, and is coated in a flavorful sweet and savory sesame sauce!
1headcauliflower, cut into medium-sized florets, stems removed
Batter
3/4Cwater or plain plant-milkmake sure your plant milk is unsweetened and unflavored
1Cbrown rice flourgluten free all purpose works well too
1TBSPliquid aminos or tamari
1tspgarlic powder
1/2CGF breadcrumbs
Sesame Sauce
1/4Cliquid aminos or tamari
1/4Csweetener of choicecoconut sugar, maple syrup, swerve, agave, etc.
3TBSPsesame seeds
1TBSPsesame oil
1TBSPfresh ginger, minced
3clovesgarlic, minced
3TBSPchili garlic sauce
1TBSPtomato paste
2TBSPrice vinegar
1tspchili flakesoptional
1/8tspsalt and pepper
2tsptapioca flour, arrowroot powder, or cornstarchcombined with 2 TBSP water
To Serve
1TBSPsesame seeds
3green onions, sliced
2Cjasmine ricecooked according to package
2bunchesbroccolinisteamed
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with olive oil to coat.
Mix together all ingredients for batter, except breadcrumbs, in a bowl. Batter should be slightly thinner than pancake batter. Add cauliflower florets to bowl and toss to coat.
One by one, remove cauliflower from batter with a fork, letting excess drip off, and transfer to oiled parchment lined baking sheets, being sure not to overcrowd. Sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs. Spray with a very light coat of olive oil. (optional for extra crispiness!)
Bake for 25 minutes until golden and crisp.
Prepare sesame sauce by adding all ingredients except tapioca flour to a small saucepan. Bring to a steady simmer and let thicken. Mix tapioca flour with water and stir into sauce little by little until desired texture is achieved.
Remove cauliflower from oven and let cool for 3-5 min (this step is very important as it prevents the cauliflower from getting soggy!)
Transfer cauliflower to a bowl and toss gently with sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion.
Serve hot with steamed rice and broccolini.
Notes
*This recipe is best eaten right away but can be reheated in the oven (for best results) or the microwave.* The sauce and batter can be prepped ahead of time.
I made this for a family dinner and it was a big hit!!! My husband does not like vegetables and he said if I make this all the time he would start eating more vegetables. Everyone left with the recipe.
5 Responses
I made this for a family dinner and it was a big hit!!! My husband does not like vegetables and he said if I make this all the time he would start eating more vegetables. Everyone left with the recipe.
Such a delicious recipe!! Would definitely make again. Do you know how many calories is per serving?
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Lauren! I have not calculated the calories, but I love to use MyFitnessPal!