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Southern Fried Cauliflower

Southern Fried Cauliflower

This Southern Fried Cauliflower is a vegan twist on a classic, perfectly crispy and golden brown, served with a spicy aioli dip.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main
Cuisine southern, Vegan
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • large heavy-bottomed pot
  • deep fryer
  • baking sheet
  • deep-frying thermometer

Ingredients
  

Spicy Sriracha Aioli

  • ⅔ cup vegan mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Cauliflower

  • 8 to 9 cups cauliflower florets two-bite size
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 to 6 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Batter

  • 1 cup unsweetened nondairy milk
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup buffalo-style hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • To make the Spicy Sriracha aioli, stir all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Toss the cauliflower on a baking sheet with the 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, salt, and ground pepper. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until tender.
  • Let cool if necessary before handling the florets for battering.
  • Heat the oil for deep-frying in a large heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to a temperature of 325°F to 350°F.

Battering and Frying

  • In a large bowl, combine the nondairy milk with the apple cider vinegar and hot sauce.
  • Mix the cornstarch with a small amount of the milk mixture to make a slurry and add to the bowl.
  • In another large bowl, combine the flour with the salt and all the spices.
  • Only coat the pieces once the oil has reached 325°F. Batter a floret, then coat in the flour mixture, then submerge in the batter again and coat in the flour mixture once again.
  • Fry a few pieces at a time for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Notes

Serve with peas, mashed potatoes, and The Gravy for a classic Southern meal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingsCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 8mg
Keyword fried cauliflower, Southern Fried Cauliflower, spicy aioli, vegan comfort food
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