Vegan General Tso’s Cauliflower
A lighter, vegan-friendly take on the classic General Tso’s, featuring crispy cauliflower florets tossed in a sticky-sweet and spicy sauce.
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets Aim for similar sizes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour)
- 1 cup plant-based milk (soy or oat work well)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended for extra crisp)
- Oil for frying neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or peanut You want 1–2 inches of oil.
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch Dissolved in 1–2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
For Garnish
- Sesame seeds For garnish
- Green onions, chopped For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or pot until it reaches about 350–375°F (175–190°C).
- In a bowl, whisk the flour and plant-based milk until smooth. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting excess drip off, then press into the breadcrumbs to coat well.
Frying
- Fry the coated florets in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden and crispy, about 4–6 minutes per batch.
- Transfer fried florets to a wire rack or paper towels to drain.
Making the Sauce
- In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and grated ginger.
- In a small cup, dissolve the cornstarch in 1–2 tablespoons cold water and add to the saucepan.
- Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring, until it becomes shiny and thickens—about 2–3 minutes.
Tossing and Garnishing
- Toss the fried cauliflower in the hot sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Notes
For a lower-carb option, serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice. Add lime wedges and extra chili flakes for additional flavor.