One bite in and you’ll wonder how cauliflower got this fun; crunchy, saucy, and full of flavour, Bang Bang Cauliflower is the ultimate snack upgrade.
Cauliflower gets a bad rep for being boring, but this Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower is here to prove everyone wrong. We’re talking crispy, golden crunch with a fiery, creamy, sweet-and-spicy glaze that clings to every bite. It’s the kind of snack that disappears fast off the plate. One bite turns into five, and suddenly the plate’s empty.
What I love most is how low-effort it is. We skip the deep frying and use the air fryer instead, so you get all the crunch without the mess or excess oil. So you get all the goodness of a bold and fiery appetizer, while still keeping things healthy-ish.
Jump to section: Bang Bang Cauliflower
Bang Bang Cauliflower Ingredients
- Cauliflower Base: Cauliflower florets blanched just enough to soften slightly—this helps them cook through while still holding shape.
- Flour & Spice Mix: A combination of maida (all-purpose flour), cornflour, Kashmiri chilli powder, grated garlic, salt, pepper, oil, and just enough water to coat—this creates that light, crisp outer layer.
- Bang Bang Sauce: Mayonnaise, sriracha or chilli sauce, and sweet chilli sauce come together to make the creamy, spicy-sweet glaze.
- Oil: Used for air frying or deep frying, and also brushed on during cooking for extra crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Broccoli, mushrooms, or even paneer cubes work well—just adjust blanching or cook times accordingly.
Absolutely. Chicken, tofu, or prawns are great alternatives. Just marinate and cook them through before tossing in the sauce.
You can. Bake the florets at 200°C for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
It can be! Just swap out the mayo for a plant-based version, and you’re good to go.
Richa’s Top Tips
- Blanch, Don’t Boil: Just 30 seconds in hot water is enough to soften the cauliflower. Anything longer and it’ll go soggy and won’t crisp up well.
- Coat Evenly: Add water one tablespoon at a time and mix with your hands. This helps the batter cling nicely to each floret without becoming too wet or patchy.
- Air Fry Smart: Don’t overcrowd the basket. Space out the florets and flip them halfway through while brushing with oil. That’s how you get all-over crispiness.
- Toss Immediately: As soon as they’re out of the fryer or oven, toss them in the bang bang sauce. This ensures the sauce sticks properly and the cauliflower stays crispy.
- Batch-Friendly: You can blanch and coat the cauliflower ahead of time. Just air fry when you’re ready to serve.
Serving Ideas
- Pair with a bowl of Chilli Garlic Noodles for that classic Indo-Chinese street food vibe.
Serve alongside Vegetable Fried Rice or Egg Fried Rice for a filling, flavourful meal. - Make it part of a party appetiser platter with Honey Chilli Potatoes.
- Pair with Thai Basil Chicken or Garlic Fried Rice for a slightly different flavour profile.
- Serve with a chilled glass of Limonada or Lychee Soda for a refreshing contrast.
- Round it off with Coconut Milk Pudding or Mango Sago if you want to end your meal on a sweet note.
Storage Tips
- Short-term storage: If you have leftovers, store the air-fried cauliflower (without the sauce) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 5–6 minutes to bring back the crispiness before tossing with fresh sauce.
- With sauce: Once coated in sauce, Bang Bang Cauliflower is best enjoyed immediately. If needed, store sauced leftovers in the fridge for a day and reheat in a pan, but expect it to be softer.
- Avoid freezing: Cauliflower tends to get watery after freezing and thawing, so this recipe isn’t ideal for the freezer.
Customization Ideas
- Make it vegan: Use vegan mayo for the bang bang sauce to keep this 100% plant-based.
- Use different veggies: Try broccoli, baby corn, or even tofu in place of cauliflower. The batter and sauce work beautifully with a range of textures.
- Spice it up or down: Add more sriracha or a dash of chilli flakes if you like it extra hot, or reduce the chilli sauce for a milder version.
- Crunch factor: For an even crispier bite, toss the florets in panko before air frying.
Did You Know?
The term Bang Bang actually originates from a popular Chinese street food dish called “Bang Bang Chicken,” where meat was pounded before being shredded. The name stuck around and evolved, especially in Western and Asian fusion cooking, to describe dishes featuring creamy, spicy-sweet sauces that “hit” your taste buds with bold flavour, just like this one!
This Bang Bang Cauliflower is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be heavy or complicated. It’s crispy, bold, and bursting with flavour, basically everything you want in a snack or starter. Whether you’re serving it up for a party, a weeknight treat, or just because you’re craving something fun, this one’s always a hit.
If you give it a go, I’d love to see your version! Tag me on Instagram @my_foodstory and let me know how it turned out.
Watch Bang Bang Cauliflower Recipe Video
Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets approx. 450 grams
- 4 cups boiling water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing
Flour & spice mix
- 2 teaspoons kashmiri chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon grated garlic
- ¼ cup maida all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper powder
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
- 3 tablespoons water
Bang bang sauce
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or red chilli sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
Instructions
Blanching cauliflower
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Add cauliflower florets & salt to boiling water, mix for 30 seconds and drain them immediately. Do not keep longer. Rinse them with cold water & drain again. Set aside. See note 14 cups cauliflower florets, 4 cups boiling water, ½ teaspoon salt
Marinating cauliflower
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Take blanched cauliflower florets in a wide bowl or deep plate. Add all ingredients given for the flour & spice mix except water and combine well with your hands. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time and combine well. Mix with your hands to make sure the batter coats the cauliflower well. See note 2.2 teaspoons kashmiri chilli powder, 1 tablespoon grated garlic, ¼ cup maida, 2 tablespoons cornflour, ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper powder, 2 teaspoons cooking oil, 3 tablespoons water
Bang bang sauce
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Add all ingredients for the sauce to a bowl, mix well and set aside. Prepare this before frying the cauliflower.3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sriracha or red chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
Deep Frying cauliflower
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Heat ½ cup oil in a deep pan or kadai and once it’s medium hot, drop the marinated florets into the oil & fry on medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden and crisp. Toss them immediately in the sauce and serve.
Airfryer method
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Pre-heat airfryer at 180 C. brush the airfryer basket with oil. Place the cauliflower florets with some gap between each other and air fry at 180C for 20 minutes while flipping and brushing oil every 7 minutes. Air fry at 200 C for 2 minutes till they turn golden and crisp. Toss them immediately in the sauce and serve. see note 4.3 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing
Video
Notes
- Cauliflower is blanched exactly for 30 seconds to make it slightly tender but do not cook or leave in the boiling water for longer than 30 seconds. Over blanched cauliflower does not work for the recipe.
- Water is added 1 tablespoon at a time to make sure the coating is even. If you add all 3 tablespoons of water at one spot, it might turn out watery there & stay dry at other places. Mixing well is very crucial to make sure all the cauliflower florets get marinated well with the coating.
- Prepare the bang bang sauce before frying the cauliflower as the fried cauliflower must be coated in the sauce immediately after frying. This is to ensure the
- Fried cauliflowers must be tossed with bang bang sauce immediately after frying, so the sauce sticks well.
Nutrition
This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.
The post Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower appeared first on My Food Story.
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