This gluten free orange cauliflower recipe is a vegan version of the classic orange chicken dish. The bright orange flavor tastes just like you remember!
recipe originally published March 7, 2013
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Easy Cauliflower Recipe
This vegan orange cauliflower recipe is my version of the classic chicken dish.
Cauliflower is such a versatile ingredient that it takes center stage in many vegan cauliflower recipes. In this recipe, I've replaced the traditional chicken with cauliflower florets to recreate that menu staple.
How to make sticky orange glaze
This delicious orange cauliflower recipe features cauliflower florets that are coated in cornstarch and baked, fried or air fried.
Then the cauliflower is coated in a delicious sticky orange sauce that is made with
concentrated orange juice, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic. A cornstarch slurry helps to thicken this sauce, and I always have extra water on hand to bring it to the perfect consistency.
How to serve
This recipe is great as a warm salad topper, or as a dippable appetizer.
If you serve this orange cauliflower recipe as a vegetable side dish, consider serving it with one of these easy vegan recipes:
How do you know when cauliflower is cooked?
You know when cauliflower is cooked when it is just starting to soften, but still has a bite. You can test for doneness by piercing with a sharp knife or a fork. If the knife easily goes into the floret, your cauliflower is done. Cook the florets only until they are done and not too soft or they won't hold their shape as well.
Low Carb Recipes
This orange cauliflower recipe is low carb because the sweetener used is a sugar free brown sugar. I don't necessarily follow a low carb diet, but I like to limit my sugar to desserts.
Cauliflower is also a wonderful substitute for rice and grains. It's quickly become a grain-free alternative for rice for those that are following a low carb, gluten-free or Paleo diet. So if you are reducing carbs or just making more low carb recipes, see this entire cauliflower recipe collection for more menu ideas!
How long does this last?
If you have leftover orange cauliflower, it keeps in the refrigerator for three days in a container with a tightly fitting lid.
Did you make this orange cauliflower recipe?
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Gluten Free Orange Cauliflower
A vegetarian version of the classic orange chicken dish, this one tastes just like you remember!
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- 1 large head cauliflower
- ¼ cup cornstarch (or arrowroot starch)
- water for spritzing
Sticky Orange Glaze
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ cup orange juice concentrate
- ⅓ to ½ cup water
- 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons gluten free tamari (or soy sauce)
Garnish
- 3 green onions, trimmed and sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F. Add a wire rack to a baking sheet for crispy cauliflower.
- If using air fryer, line the air fryer basket with a parchment round (or spray with oil).
- Trim cauliflower, removing outer leaves and core. Break or cut into bite-size pieces. Rinse and drain the cauliflower.
- Transfer wet cauliflower to a mixing bowl (or directly into air fryer basket if using) and sprinkle with cornstarch. Using tongs, toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer the dusted cauliflower to the air fryer basket or arrange on a baking sheet with a wire rack.
- (Rinse this mixing bowl and save to use again.)
- Oven Baking Method: Roast battered cauliflower at 400 °F for 25 minutes, removing at 15 minutes to turn cauliflower with tongs.
- Air Fryer Method: Air fry at 390°F for 15 minutes total. Using tongs, carefully turn the cauliflower pieces at 10 minutes, returning basket to air fryer for another 5 minutes.
- While the cauliflower cooks, make the sticky orange glaze.
- In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Stir until dissolved and set aside.
- Heat the orange juice, garlic, vinegar, tamari, and cornstarch slurry in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Add ⅓ cup water and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer for a few minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat after it thickens. Add more water to reach desired consistency / thin as needed.
- When the cauliflower is cooked through, transfer it to the mixing bowl. Pour the sticky orange sauce over the cauliflower and toss gently with tongs.
- Transfer orange cauliflower to serving dish. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
dairy, egg, and gluten free vegan recipe
If you have leftover orange cauliflower, it keeps in the refrigerator for three days in a container with a tightly fitting lid.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 209mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 6gSugar: 11gProtein: 6g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Kate@Diethood says
I don't know how I would be able to stop eating that. I don't know if I would even share it, really. YUM!
Kristina Sloggett says
I know - I could eat a whole platter of this, truly. 🙂
Jenn @therebelchick says
I love cauliflower and am always trying to find new things to do with it - as a replacement for potatoes. Thanks for another great idea!
Kristina Sloggett says
you are welcome, Jenn - I hope you try this one!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
I can't wait for spring. I love to see the sun return and watch everything slowly turn green again, and then I can go outside and dig it the dirt. 🙂
Cauliflower happens to be one of my favorite veggies. I love this concept,
Kristina Sloggett says
ooh, that description has me wanting spring to get here now! I cannot wait to start my garden! cauliflower is one of my favorites too - and I will be making it this way again!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I always get excited about spring, but I feel like I'm even more excited this year. This winter has seemed unusually long and bleak. Although I will always have a deep love of cauliflower--usually I just roast it with salt & pepper, but I'm going to have to try making this next time!
Kristina Sloggett says
we have had a pretty mild winter here in Portland, and I am STILL looking forward to spring 😉 I always get up early, and this morning, as soon as the sun starting coming up, I've been looking at the clock saying "this time tomorrow it will only be SIX AM!" the dogs are unimpressed... 😉
jobo says
I'm with Heather, never been more excited to lose an hour of sleep! hahaha! Bring it on! I LOVE cauliflower!!!! this looks so good! (broken record!)
Kristina Sloggett says
ME TOO! all morning as the sun came up, I was saying aloud to the dogs, "tomorrow it will only be SIX AM when it is this light out, yay!" they are unimpressed...
Eileen says
Hooray for cauliflower! It's so underrated (well, for good reason, considering watery boiled unseasoned childhood cauliflower) but SO GOOD when you cook it well. Crispy crusted cauli sounds so good, especially with sesame oil! I bet it would be good to add some sesame seeds for a little extra crunch... 🙂
Kristina Sloggett says
I think I was lucky enough to not have experienced too many boiled veggies growing up - thankful to not have those memories, but I do hear about them from others a lot! this kind of recipe could change that... 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
I am so excited about daylight savings too - makes training so much more fun when it's still light after work! I still don't understand why we ever stop DST - I want it all year round!
Kristina Sloggett says
ME TOO! let's just NOT do the other end...
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I am embarrassingly excited for daylight savings time. This winter weather needs to go! I need sunlight.
Cauliflower never gets old for me. Such a cool idea to stab it with toothpicks for an app!
Kristina Sloggett says
me too - I love longer days, I love sunshine, I LOVE longer days... 😉
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I have never been more excited to lose an hour! Can't wait for the longer days. I've already notice that it's light at 6 pm and even at 6:15 am now. Perfect for the runner in me I suppose. And this recipe? MMMMM
Kristina Sloggett says
I know, I am already noticing the longer days too, I cannot wait until summer when we get light until NINE PM!! 😀
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
Mmmmmmm, this looks wonderful! I've had a huge appetite for cauliflower recently (it's one of those veggies I don't eat regularly but then suddenly crave like crazy) - probably due to the first signs of spring outside?
I hope you're fine! Thinking about you and your dad from over here ...
Kristina Sloggett says
I know how that is - broccoli is one I eat constantly, cauliflower is one I get cravings for...
thank you dear Kath - Dad is ... okay. positive and smiling, at least <3