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Air-Fried Korean Chili Cauliflower

A crispy, spicy dish transforming humble cauliflower into a flavor-packed sensation, perfect for snacking or sharing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cauliflower
  • 2 medium heads cauliflower (cut into florets, about 650g)
  • 1.5 cups gluten-free flour blend (or brown rice flour)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1.75 cups seltzer water (extra cold)
  • 0.5 cup maple syrup (or agave nectar; reduce to ¼ cup if sensitive to sweetness)
For the sauce
  • 6 tbsp soy sauce (use low-sodium if sensitive to salt)
  • 0.25 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp minced garlic (2-3 cloves)
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh ginger
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 5 tbsp Korean Chili Paste or sauce
  • 0.25 cup mirin
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (for sauce)
For garnish
  • Toasted sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 0.25 cup chopped green onion
  • 1 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
  • 1 unit lime

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (or your oven to 425°F if baking). Line the air fryer pan with parchment paper.
  2. If baking, place a cooling rack on the baking sheet and add parchment to the cooling rack.
  3. Cut the cauliflower into small florets.
  4. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients for the tempura batter.
  5. Stir in the cold seltzer water until just combined—it should be as thick as pancake batter. If too thin, add 1 tbsp flour at a time until it thickens.
Cooking
  1. Coat the cauliflower evenly in the tempura batter and spread it in a single layer on the rack or in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; do multiple batches if needed.
  2. Lightly spray the cauliflower with cooking spray or brush with about 1-2 tbsp of oil.
  3. Air fry for 17 minutes, flipping halfway. If baking, do it for 20-22 minutes.
Saucing
  1. For the sauce, mix all remaining ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Toss the cooked cauliflower with the sauce afterwards.

Notes

Tips for crispy perfection: Timing is key—don't rush the cooking, flipping at the right time ensures even crisping. Let the batter sit for a few minutes before coating for extra crunch. You can customize the spice levels in your sauce to match your heat tolerance.