Description
Bang Bang sauce — the creamy, sweet-spicy mayo-based dressing from Bonefish Grill — meets crispy battered cauliflower. The florets get a light, crunchy coating that shatters on the first bite, and the sauce clings to every craggy surface. This is the appetizer that converts vegetable skeptics.
Ingredients
Units
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup cold sparkling water
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 3 cups)
Instructions
- Make the Bang Bang sauce: whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Set aside.
- Mix the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the sparkling water until you have a smooth batter the consistency of thin pancake batter.
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 375°F.
- Dip the cauliflower florets in the batter, letting excess drip off. Fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy. Do not crowd the pot. Drain on a wire rack.
- Transfer the fried cauliflower to a large bowl. Drizzle about two-thirds of the Bang Bang sauce over the top and toss gently to coat.
- Plate the cauliflower, drizzle with the remaining sauce, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Sparkling water in the batter creates a lighter, crispier coating than still water — the carbonation produces tiny air pockets that fry up extra crunchy.
- Toss the sauce with the cauliflower right before serving. The coating softens quickly, so timing matters.
- For a baked version, toss battered florets in oil and bake at 450°F for 20 minutes, flipping once. Not quite as crispy, but still excellent.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 10