🧾 Ingredients

For the cauliflower:

• 1 large head cauliflower (cut into bite-size florets)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• ¾ cup milk (any kind)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko = extra crispy!)
• Cooking spray or 1–2 tbsp oil

For the sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2–3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional but brightens it up)

🔥 Instructions

1. Prep the cauliflower

• Wash and cut into evenly sized florets.
• Pat dry (this helps crispiness!).

2. Make the batter

• In a bowl, whisk together:
  flour + milk + garlic powder + paprika + onion powder + salt + pepper
• The texture should be like pancake batter.

3. Coat

• Dip each floret into batter.
• Roll in breadcrumbs until fully coated.
• Place on a tray (don’t overcrowd).

4. Air fry

• Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly spray cauliflower with oil.
• Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway.
• For extra crispiness: cook an additional 3–5 minutes.

5. Make the sauce

• Mix all sauce ingredients until smooth.
• Taste and adjust spice level.

6. Serve

• Sprinkle with parsley (optional).
• Serve hot with dipping sauce OR toss the cauliflower in the sauce for a coated version.

🥗 Nutrition (Approx per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: ~220–260
• Protein: ~5g
• Carbs: ~28g
• Fat: ~12–15g

(Will vary depending on sauce and oil used.)

💡 Tips for MAX crispiness

• Use panko breadcrumbs
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer
• Spray lightly with oil before cooking
• Eat immediately (they’re best fresh!)

 Q&A

Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes! Use:

• Gluten-free flour
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs

Can I make it vegan?

Absolutely:

• Use plant-based milk
• Swap mayo for vegan mayo

Can I bake instead of air fry?

Yes:

• Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes
• Flip halfway through

Why isn’t mine crispy?

• Batter too thick → thin it slightly
• Too crowded → cook in batches
• Not enough oil → light spray helps a lot

Can I make it ahead?

You can prep and coat ahead, but cook right before serving for best texture.

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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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