Description

Crunchy Baked Hot Honey Cauliflower offers a deliciously spicy and sweet twist on a classic snack or appetizer. Coated in a crispy cornflake and parmesan crust, baked until golden, then drizzled with a warm, flavorful hot honey sauce and served alongside a creamy wing sauce, this dish is perfect for game days, parties, or a fun family meal.

Ingredients

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Crunchy Cauliflower

6 cups cornflakes (gluten free, if needed)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
3 large eggs
3 tbsp hot sauce
4-5 cups cauliflower florets
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Hot Honey Sauce

½ cup honey
2-3 tbsp hot sauce
1-3 tsp cayenne pepper
¾ tsp chipotle chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Pinch of salt

Creamy Wing Sauce

½ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
¼ cup olive oil mayo
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup crumbled blue cheese or grated parmesan

Garnish

Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley, for serving

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cauliflower.
Prepare Crunchy Coating: In a food processor, combine cornflakes, parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until you get fine crumbs. Alternatively, crush cornflakes manually using the package or a ziplock bag. Transfer the crumbs into a shallow bowl.
Coat the Cauliflower: Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add the hot sauce and cauliflower florets to coat them evenly. Dredge the coated cauliflower pieces in the cornflake crumb mixture, ensuring each piece is fully covered. Place the coated florets on the lined baking sheet.
Bake Cauliflower: Drizzle the cauliflower with extra virgin olive oil to encourage crispiness. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then flip the pieces and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cauliflower is crisp and golden all around.
Make Hot Honey Sauce: While cauliflower bakes, warm the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt together in a sauce pot over low heat until fragrant and combined. Keep warm for serving.
Prepare Creamy Wing Sauce: In a glass jar or bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil mayo, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, chopped chives, and crumbled blue cheese or parmesan. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Thin the sauce with milk or water if needed to achieve a dipping consistency.
Assemble and Serve: Drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over the baked cauliflower. Garnish with fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley for brightness. If the honey sauce thickens too much, briefly warm it in the microwave before drizzling. Serve the cauliflower alongside the creamy wing sauce for dipping and enjoy!

Notes

You can use gluten-free cornflakes to make this recipe gluten-free.
If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce in the honey sauce.
Make sure to flip the cauliflower halfway through baking, so it crisps evenly.
Use fresh herbs like thyme or cilantro to add a fresh, vibrant flavor to the dish.
The creamy wing sauce is optional but complements the spicy hot honey cauliflower nicely.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the oven for best crispiness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup cauliflower with coating and sauce (approximate)
Calories: 180 kcal
Sugar: 14 g
Sodium: 340 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg