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Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower…a healthier approach to the classic Asian fried chicken. I’ve swapped the chicken for nutrient-packed cauliflower, then oven-baked it until crisp. The cauliflower is tossed in a yummy sesame orange sauce with fresh orange juice and chili flakes. It’s a little sweet and a little spicy with such great flavor. This is best served over steamed rice for a wholesome vegetarian dinner. A fun healthier take on a popular takeout dish.
I’ve really been into finding wholesome ways to create some of our favorite foods. I’ve done popcorn chicken, baked buffalo cauliflower, vegetable filled mac and cheese, and my list of possible recipes to create is still a mile long.
I guess it’s just the time of year. I’m still looking for those warming cozy recipes we all love, but made in a little lighter way. Plus, why not try to nourish our bodies with the flavors we love, just in a wholesome way, you know?
If we can do it, we should! And honestly, I couldn’t love this baked version of orange chicken more. Whether you use chicken or cauliflower, it’s all about the sauce, and it’s delicious. You know we love our sauces around here.
Details
The beginning of the recipe is very similar to my buffalo cauliflower. Except I’m using Panko bread crumbs for a little crunch.
Start off by breaking the cauliflower up into florets. Then whisk up a few eggs in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower right into the whisked eggs, then simply toss to coat.
Now dredge the cauliflower through the crumbs, then bake! It’s so simple and what I love most is that by baking the cauliflower you’re really able to taste the sweet, spicy, orange sauce instead of just a fried piece of cauliflower.
For the sauce, the key is to use fresh orange juice. This is perfect since we’re currently in winter citrus season. It takes a little more effort because you have to squeeze out all the juice, but the final results are worth it.
I add plenty of garlic to my sauce, then ginger, and chili flakes for a nice little kick.
The thing about orange sauce is that it’s really simple to make. Just orange juice, soy sauce, and a little something to make it sweet. Most recipes use sugar, but I love to use honey for something that’s more natural and even more delicious. It also adds a little flavor too.
Cook the sauce on the stove, then just toss in the cauliflower. See quicker than take out, right?
Steamed rice and toasted sesame seeds are a definite must for serving. The rice really helps to make this more of a complete meal.
I have to say, this is truly a recipe that everyone really loves…even if they don’t enjoy cauliflower. I was shocked when my picky-eater brothers gave this a try. Granted I also had chicken in the same sauce too, but everyone all agreed, this was the best dish of the night.
So, that should tell you right there…this is a recipe worth trying. When the brothers actually choose a vegetable-based dish, something about it must be REALLY GOOD.
Looking for more vegetarian recipes? Here are a few to try:
Crispy Cheese Poblano Avocado Burrito
Pesto Potato Burrata Pizza with Spicy Arugula
Lastly, if you make this Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 346 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/4 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2-1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cup fresh orange juice + 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/3 cup tamari/soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- green onions, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the cauliflower and toss well to coat. In a separate bowl add the Panko. 3. Dredge the cauliflower through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower. Bake for 15 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil until crisp, 2-3 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, whisk together the corn starch and 2 tablespoons water.5. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. Cook 1-2 minutes. Add the orange juice, tamari/soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Bring to a boil, then whisk in the cornstarch and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat. Toss the cauliflower with the sauce. 6. Serve the cauliflower and sauce over steamed rice with sesame seeds and green onions.
Just made it and it was perfect! 5*
Hey Barb,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xT
I rarely make cauliflower, but this recipe is absolutely delicious! I will surprise my sons with this at our next family meal. The citrus sauce pairs well with a seafood meal. Thank you, Tieghan, for another winner.
Hey Judy,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xT
The sauce is delicious but I had trouble getting the bread crumbs to stick to the cauliflower. Most of the crumbs fell off and I had naked cauliflower…so missed the crunch.
Hi Joanne,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! Was your cauliflower fully coated in the egg? Let me know how I can help! xT
Everything was good, but next time I would cut the orange by 1/4-1/2 (zest and juice). The dish was completely overpowered by the orange flavor. We dumped soy sauce on our meals to counterbalance the sweet citrus. Hope this helps others–other than that, everything was perfect!
Hey Emily,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback! xTieghan
Is there a way to make this vegan? It looks so good but I’m not sure what is good for egg replacement that will hold the bread crumbs!
Hey Caitlin,
You could try using a dairy free milk! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
A vegan egg substitute like JustEgg would work great.
Hi Emily, I agree; though the sweet citrus hasn’t kept the dish from disappearing! If I make the sauce again. I’ll reduce the OJ and zest, too.
Thanks for trying the recipe Bev!!
Delicious!!! My husband is not a cauliflower fan and could not stop eating this!
Hey Erin,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Super easy and delicious! This will definitely go on the list as a weeknight staple.
Hey Julia,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! Have the best weekend! xxT
This tasted really good. It turned out just like expected. This will be moved into the “keepers” folder!
Hey Andy,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
My husband is an avid orange chicken eater and recently we’ve been trying to eat more of our meals vegetarian. This is a perfect, if not better than, swap. I don’t normally like orange chicken but this cauliflower switch with the homemade sauce may have converted me. We loved it and will definitely be making again. Thank you for the recipe!
Hey Abby,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
I can’t wait to try this! Went out and got all the ingredients ( fresh oranges!!). Looks fantastic, I will post after trying it….
I hope you love the recipe Margaret!!
I made these in the air fryer instead of baking them. 400 degrees for 14 to 15 minutes. Then I tossed them with the sauce and baked them in the oven at 425 for a few minutes after coating them in the sauce. They turned out AMAZING. The sauce was so good too.
Hey Anne,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
My girlfriend made this recipe for us and it was DELICIOUS!!
Hey Sandra,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Just made this today, it was okay – think it would have been better if I waited till both the sauce and the cauliflower were completely cool because the breadcrumbs became quite soggy when I tossed everything through.
Hey MJ,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear you had issues with the breadcrumbs. xTieghan
Made this without modification. The sauce was very tasty. The panko didn’t stick to the cauliflower. I wouldn’t bother with the panko next time. It was a waste of time and calories.
Hi Meg,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear about the Panko. xTieghan
Just made this for dinner with salmon. It was delicious!!! It didn’t say when to add the orange zest so I just put it in with everything else for the sauce
Hey Beverly,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Sorry about the orange zest, you can add that in step 5 next time. xTieghan
Where do I add the zest?
Hey Jessica,
You are going to add the zest in step 5 with the ginger and garlic. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan