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Sharing my healthier twist on a classic Chinese dish with this Better Than Takeout Kung Pao Cauliflower. Oven-roasted cauliflower tossed in a sweet, spicy, and sticky kung pao sauce. I’ve swapped the chicken for nutrient-packed cauliflower, and replaced the deep frying with oven roasting. This kung pao cauliflower is the perfect healthy, but still delicious, alternative to the traditional heavier sugary version. It has a quick 30 minute cooking time and uses pantry staple ingredients. Making this recipe perfect for any night of the week.
This feels like a very appropriate Monday recipe. Vegetarian? Check. Gluten-free? Check. Healthy? Check. Vegetable filled? Check. Delicious? Absolutely.
Aside from possibly a salad, this is the ideal Monday night dinner. It’s beyond good, super easy, and pretty dang healthy too. Yet, it tastes more like guilty pleasure take-out style food. So it’s also crave-worthy.
Promise it’s not too good to be true. It’s all in the uniqueness of a head of cauliflower. And yes, I know cauliflower is being used a lot right now, but I’ve shared several cauliflower recipes over the past six years. Including these popular sriracha buffalo cauliflower bites and this Indian coconut butter cauliflower.
And like the rest of the world, I’ve been obsessed with cauliflower ever since I realized how many different foods it can be substituted into. I’m not sure why I haven’t shared this recipe sooner. It’s one that has been on my list for a few months now. Think of your very favorite takeout style Kung Pao chicken. Swap the deep-fried chicken for lightly breaded and roasted cauliflower. Swap the sugar-filled sauce with a less sweet and much healthier version. Put the two together and you have the BEST vegetarian Kung Pao recipe that doesn’t even taste “healthy”.
It’s SO GOOD.
I don’t have a whole lot to ramble on about…except this recipe…so let’s jump right in!
As you might guess from all the above, this is a really simple recipe, with only two parts…
Step one is all about preparing the cauliflower. To keep this recipe light and healthy, I skipped the breading and deep frying and instead tossed the cauliflower in a light “batter”. Then I threw it under the broiler to give it a quick char. I find this method to work SO well, and I actually prefer it to deep frying. Which yes, I did try and ended up not liking very much. Cooking the cauliflower in the oven allows for it to hold its shape and retain flavor. With frying all I tasted wad the oily breading…roasting is tastier, easier, and healthier too.
Into it!
While the cauliflower is cooking, start step two, the Kung Pao sauce. Not going to lie, this is what this recipe is all about. Yes, the cauliflower is good, but it’s really just a vessel for the sauce to “stick” to.
And trust me, this sauce is so very good.
It’s a mix up of salty soy sauce, sweet and tangy hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and green onions. The hoisin sauce is the key, it lends a sweet and tangy flavor that sets the sauce apart from others. It’s addictingly good and a condiment I always like to have on hand for easy Chinese inspired recipes at home. It’s not the healthiest sauce to buy store-bought though. So when I have time I really like to make homemade hoisin sauce via this recipe on Bon Appétit. It allows me to control the ingredients going into the sauce and make it tangier and/or spicier too!
When I don’t have time to make my own hoisin, this one is my favorite from the store. A little goes a long way!
Aside from the hoisin, this sauce is hinted with garlic, ginger, and green onions, making it incredibly flavorful.
The sauce comes together in about 5 minutes on the stove-top. Then slide in the cauliflower, toss to combine, add salty roasted peanuts, and DONE. Yes, it’s that easy and quick. In fact, it’s so quick that you can probably make the entire dish and have it ready before your rice is finished cooking. Hint, start the rice before you get to work on the cauliflower.
The sauce coats the cauliflower and it’s beyond perfection. Sweet, sticky, salty, tangy, and a touch spicy…you don’t even realize you’re eating a vegetable.
Serve over your favorite steamed rice, or even quinoa. You’ll have a vegetable-filled dinner that’s satisfying and so delicious.
Monday night takeout…only made at home, made healthier, and honestly, better than the real deal takeout.
Looking for other “better than takeout” style recipes? Try my coconut butter cauliflower, 20-minute peanut noodles, szechuan noodles with sesame chili oil, or my favorite weeknight udon noodles.
Next up on my takeout style recipes? Thinking about chicken fried rice. Thoughts?
If you make this Better Than Takeout Kung Pao 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!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Really really tasty. It took a bit longer than 15 mins for me, and I added some chicken to the recipe as well. It turned out so well. Really really yummy.
Hi Suzanne,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was delish! Have a great weekend! xT
This was good and can together quickly. Subbed in Szechuan pepper for red pepper flakes and tossed in some lightly steamed green beans at the end. Didn’t even need any chili crisp.
Hey Amanda,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was tasty and thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
Way too salty! Maybe from the Braggs? We ate this but will be drinking lots of water tonight! Will try again with a low sodium soy sauce as I like the idea of king pow cauliflower.
Hey there,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear this was too salty!! xT
I make this alllll the time. You know it’s a winner when my carnivore husband and picky kids don’t complain. So yum!
Hey Veronica,
Happy Sunday!! I truly appreciate you giving this a try and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed:) xx
This was really great but we found it to be a bit salty for our taste – I ended up doubling the amount of honey in the sauce, adding a bit more vinegar, and more red pepper flakes for spice. I’d probably opt for a low sodium soy sauce next time (I only had regular on hand). Would be excellent with other stir fry vegetables too! Really great recipe!
Hey Kiley,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out:) So sorry about the salt!! xTieghan
Is there any replacement or alternative to hoisin? Not something i normally keep in my pantry. Just curious.
Hey there,
You could try a dash of teriyaki sauce, but hoisin has a pretty unique flavor:) I hope you love the recipe! xx
is there anyway i could add beef sausages or mince to this dish?
Hey Kate,
Sure, I would just sauté that up on the side and then add to the sauce when completed. Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
Wow absolutely delicious. I normally don’t keep those ingredients in the pantry however, new doubt I will need them again and again. This recipe is a keeper.
Hi Kathi,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best week:) xxT
I made this last night and it was so easy and delicious! I was afraid my 6 year old would be eating white rice and peanuts for dinner but hazel devoured it and said “you know what the best part of this meal is? Everything! It’s all delicious!”
Hey Sara,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
So healthy! So good! Yes.
Hi Lauren,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan