These Baked Orange Cauliflower Wings are better than takeout! Enjoy crispy cauliflower tossed in a sweet and savory orange sauce. The recipe is vegan and completely Gluten-Free!
If you’re looking for a delicious Chinese-style orange chicken recipe made with cauliflower instead, this is it! It’s a healthy spin on a popular favorite and I promise, you won’t miss the meat at all!
Cauliflower is an excellent substitute for chicken! It is hearty, takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with, and, if done right, can have the perfect crispy crust and tender inside! Trust me, I’ve experimented and my Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are the best!
How to make Orange Cauliflower Wings
Take 1 large cauliflower head and cut it into small bite-sized pieces. I like to leave the stem so they resemble chicken drum wings when they are done.
To make Orange Cauliflower Wings Gluten-Free:
In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the mixture for the batter. I use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour. If you are not sensitive to gluten, you can use regular flour like this one: King Arthur All-Purpose Flour.
After the batter is made, take each piece of cauliflower and toss it in the batter until all sides are evenly coated. Not only does the batter help create a crispy crust, but it is also packed with tons of flavor!
Place the battered cauliflower wings onto a baking sheet, leaving space in between each piece so they do not stick together. I like to use a silicone baking mat to line my baking sheet for easy clean-up later. Transfer the cauliflower to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
While the cauliflower is in the oven, prepare the orange sauce.
Vegan Orange Sauce Recipe
This delicious Orange Sauce is:
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- and Soy-Free!
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “How can I make Orange Sauce without Soy Sauce??”. I am going to let you in on the best-kept secret: Coconut Aminos! It is the best soy sauce replacement! It’s healthier than soy sauce and is completely gluten-free!
To Make the Orange Sauce You Need:
- Orange juice
- Water
- Brown sugar
- Coconut Amino
- Pure maple syrup
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Avocado Oil or Olive Oil
- Cornstarch
Once you make the sauce and the cauliflower has roasted for at least 20 minutes, it’s time to finish making the glorious sticky, crispy, flavorful baked orange cauliflower wings.
Using tongs, grab the cauliflower piece by piece and dip them in the orange sauce, making sure all sides are evenly coated.
Place the coated cauliflower on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 425°F. Then, turn the oven to a high broil and broil the cauliflower for 5 minutes, until a crispy golden crust is formed.
Serve with rice or quinoa and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this Baked Orange Cauliflower Wings Recipe (Gluten-Free & Vegan)! If you try it, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram! I love hearing from you!
Want more Cauliflower Recipes? Try These:
- Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Gluten-Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza
- Jalapeno Cilantro Cauliflower Rice
- Cauliflower Tots | Air Fryer or Baked
Baked Orange Cauliflower (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 Large Head of cauliflower
- 1/2 cup Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs (optional)
Batter
- 1 cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (can sub regular flour)
- 3/4 cup Non-Dairy Milk
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Coconut Amino (can sub soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1.5 tbsp Fresh Minced Ginger
- 1 tsp Avocado Oil (or cooking oil of choice)
To thicken the orange sauce (cornstarch mixture)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or more as needed to thicken the sauce
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F
Orange Baked Cauliflower Wings (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
- Take 1 large cauliflower head and cut it into medium sized florets
- In a bowl, stir together the mixture for the batter. You want the batter to be thick, but not so thick that the cauliflower won’t get properly coated. If it appears too thick, add in an additional 1-2 tbsp of milk to thin it out slightly.Take each piece of cauliflower and toss it in the batter until all sides are evenly coated.
- Toss the cauliflower in the breadcrumbs
- Add the cauliflower to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I like to use a silicone baking mat to line my baking sheet for easy clean-up later.) Transfer the cauliflower to the oven and bake for 25 minutes. While the cauliflower is in the oven, prepare the orange sauce.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. This helps the batter set and the cauliflower to get crispy.
- Add the cauliflower to a bowl and coat with the orange sauce.
- Place the coated cauliflower on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 425°F. Then, turn the oven to a high broil and broil the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes, until a crispy golden crust is formed.
- Serve with rice or quinoa and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
TO MAKE THE ORANGE SAUCE
- In a small ramekin, whisk together cornstarch and water. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the cooking oil over medium-low heat. Then add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to prevent burning the ingredients.
- Add the remaining ingredients (except for the thickener/cornstarch and water). Allow the mixture to heat through for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasiionally
- Add the thickener and whisk until it is fully incorporated and the sauce begins to thicken, about 4-5 minutes.
- The sauce is now ready to use!
Notes
- To Make the Batter: I use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour. If you are not sensitive to gluten, you can use regular flour like this one: King Arthur All-Purpose Flour.
- I like to use a silicone baking mat to line my baking sheet for easy clean-up later.
Nutrition
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How absolutely delicious! I was obsessed with the sweet and tangy flavor and can’t wait to make them again.
Hi Mila! Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
This was literally cleared in seconds!! I loved how sticky, sweer and zesty they were. Both indulgent and healthy and i guess we win!!
Yess! Healthy and Delicious for the win!
We finished this cauliflower SO fast!! The sauce was absolutely incredible and cauliflower florets were crispy and perfect. Making this again for sure!
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for leaving a review!
This orange sauce is ridiculously good. I made rice but hardly ate any. Just stood at the counter and ate the “wings” right from the pan. Leaving some stem on them is a genius move.
Hi Jessica! The sauce is my fav part! I am glad you liked the recipe!
I love the vibrant color from the turmeric in the batter. I definitely ate this dish with my eyes first and it was just as delicious after eating Yum to the max!
That makes me so happy! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
These were lovely!! Even my kids loved them!
Orange juice, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Man oh man they made this dish sing. Loved that this dish is meat free without all the trickery!
I’ve been looking for ways to convert my favorite Chinese take-out into more healthy dinners and these cauliflower wings were the business. My son didn’t believe they weren’t chicken, LOL!!
Hi Marta! I love to hear that! I am glad you both enjoyed the recipe!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! I know people say cauliflower wings can be good, but these look delicious!
Just finished licking the plates! My husband is obsessed! So bomb 🔥🖤🔥 thank you!!
Hi Kristen! I am so happy you and your husband enjoyed the recipe!
This cauliflower was amazing paired with a vegetable fried quinoa.
Yum! Vegetable Fried Quinoa sounds like a great addition! So glad you enjoyed the cauliflower wings!