Crispy Cauliflower Bites are a yummy appetizer with a flavorful crunch in every single bite! This app is so easy to make and comes packed with bold, savory flavors that are guaranteed to satisfy.
Best of all, this recipe is budget-friendly and better for you than a lot of similar dishes! Dip, share, and savor every single crunchy bite of this battered cauliflower appetizer.
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🩵 About This Recipe
Cauliflower doesn't have to be boring! This fantastic appetizer recipe takes simple cauliflower florets and turns them into a crispy, golden brown masterpiece.
Pair your battered cauliflower appetizer with a homemade yogurt sauce or opt for your favorite store bought sauce. However you enjoy this deep-fried cauliflower dish, you'll love the satisfying and crispy exterior!
And for even more cauliflower dishes, try my Air Fryer Cauliflower for a quick weeknight side dish, or this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower on game day or as a party snack.
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- cauliflower - I recommend using fresh cauliflower for this recipe.
- cornmeal - this is the not-so-secret ingredient that gives your cauliflower appetizer the perfect crunch!
- flour - helps to coat the cauliflower evenly.
- seasonings - a simple combo of garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper infuses your cauliflower bites with lots of flavor.
- eggs - helps the breading stick to the cauliflower for a well-coated, crunchy exterior.
- vegetable oil - ensures a golden, crispy texture.
- yogurt sauce - you'll need yogurt, dill, garlic, and a bit of salt for the simple homemade sauce.
🔪 Let's Make Crispy Cauliflower Bites!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Chop Cauliflower
Cut the cauliflower into bite sized pieces.
Make Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt with dill and garlic. Taste, add salt if needed, and refrigerate while you prepare the cauliflower.
Dredge
Coat a piece of cauliflower in a combination of the flour and spices.
Coat in Egg
After dredging in flour, coat entirely in egg.
Bread
Once coated in egg, evenly coat in cornmeal. Repeat this process for each piece of cauliflower.
Deep Fry
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet. Once hot, fry the crispy cauliflower bites for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Serve immediately with yogurt sauce.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Save time by purchasing pre-cut and pre-washed florets.
- You can lighten up this dish by preparing your cauliflower in the air fryer or in the oven instead of deep frying. See recipe notes for more detailed instructions.
- Use a thermometer of some kind to check the oil temperature before frying. If it isn't hot enough, it will just make your cauliflower soggy.
- Another way to test the oil's heat is to gently insert the handle of a wooden spoon. If small bubbles form around it, you should be good to go.
❔ FAQs
The most likely reason is that the oil wasn't hot enough, which allows the oil to soak into the cauliflower rather than frying it.
Aside from the homemade yogurt dip in this recipe, you can pair cauliflower bites with ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, cheese sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and so much more!
Though the base ingredient is cauliflower, this recipe still does include a fairly carb-heavy breading and is prepared via deep-frying. It's a lighter option than similar dishes made with ingredients like chicken, but it's not healthy either!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Switch up the seasonings to add different flavors. Cayenne pepper is a great way to kick up the heat, or you could even add spices like turmeric or cumin.
- Give your crispy cauliflower bites a nice cheesy flavor by mixing Parmesan cheese in with the cornmeal.
- This cooking method will also work for other vegetables like broccoli.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
After deep frying, lay the cauliflower bites on a plate lined with some paper towels. This will help absorb any excess oils and prevent the cauli bites from getting soggy!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Allow leftovers to cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat your battered cauliflower appetizer in the oven or air fryer - the microwave will just make them soft and soggy.
You can also freeze them for up to 2 months directly after frying, and later reheat them directly from frozen.
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
If you want to prepare ahead of time, wash and cut the cauliflower and store in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also combine the flour with the spices and make the yogurt sauce ahead of time if desired.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this crispy cauliflower bites recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Aside from serving with your favorite dipping sauce, you can also wrap up these cauliflower bites with some lettuce and additional sauce for a quick and delicious wrap! Some other great options are to use them as a topping for a salad, like this Kale Caesar Salad, or on top of a Quinoa Cucumber Tomato Salad.
😋 More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
- Crispy Baked Eggplant - A healthier alternative to loaded potato skins.
- Baked Brie with Honey - This elegant appetizer is perfect for impressing guests!
- Loaded Tater Tots - Indulgent and savory, these crispy tots are loaded up with your favorite toppings.
- Zucchini Parmesan Crisps - You'll love these golden brown and super crispy zucchini bites from Butter Your Biscuit!
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Crispy Battered Cauliflower Appetizer
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📋 Recipe Card
Crispy Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 bunch fresh dill, chopped
- salt to taste
For the cauliflower bites:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- vegetable oil (the amount needed depends on the size of your pan)
Instructions
Make the sauce:
- In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, dill, garlic, and salt to taste. Mix well and refrigerate while you prepare the cauliflower bites.2 cups plain yogurt, 2 cloves garlic, grated, 1 bunch fresh dill, chopped, salt to taste
Prepare the cauliflower:
- Break the cauliflower into florets. Heat a pot of water until it boils.1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- Add the cauliflower and cook until slightly tender. Be careful not overcook the cauliflower.
- Place the cornmeal in one dish. In a second dish, combine the flour with the spices. In a third dish, beat the eggs.1 cup cornmeal, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, 3 eggs
- Roll each cauliflower floret first in the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the cornmeal.
- Fill a deep skillet with about 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil-enough to submerge at least half of the cauliflower pieces but not so much that it spills over when adding the florets. Heat to about 350 degrees F. Fry on each side for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.vegetable oil (the amount needed depends on the size of your pan)
- Arrange on a plate and serve immediately. Sprinkle with fresh dill and serve with the yogurt sauce.
Notes
- To save time, you can buy pre-washed and pre-cut florets.
- For a lighter version, instead of frying, air-fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through. Or oven bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For an extra kick, add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- For more of a cheesy flavor, mix grated Parmesan into the cornmeal.
- To make this gluten-free, you can use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.
- Freeze after frying on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with other dips such as ranch, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard.
- Add the cauliflower bites to a tortilla with lettuce and extra sauce for a quick meal.
- Toss the florets on top of a fresh green salad for a crunchy topping.
- Serve them over rice or quinoa for a filling meal.
- Toss the cauliflower bites in buffalo sauce and serve with celery and blue cheese dressing.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Joyce says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I have been looking for something different for cauliflower!
Kristin King says
You are welcome! Enjoy!