Go Back
–+ servings
freshly made deep fried cauliflower in a metal basket.
Print Recipe Add to Collection
4.56 from 354 votes

Deep Fried Cauliflower

This Deep Fried Cauliflower recipe is a real crowd-pleaser, turning simple cauliflower into crispy, golden bites of heaven. Perfect for game days or as a snazzy appetizer, these delicious morsels are coated in a light, flavorful batter and fried to perfection.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cauliflower recipe, deep fried cauliflower, fried cauliflower
Servings: 6
Calories: 284kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Frank's
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs Italian seasoned
  • oil for frying
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Stir in water and hot sauce until the batter is smooth.
    process shots showing how to make fried cauliflower.
  • Take each cauliflower piece and give it a good dunk in the batter, making sure it's evenly coated. Let the excess batter drip off. Roll the battered cauliflower in the breadcrumbs until they're completely covered.
    process shots showing how to make fried cauliflower.
  • Heat your deep fryer to 365°F (185℃). Fry the cauliflower pieces in batches until they're golden and crispy.
    process shots showing how to make fried cauliflower.
  • Drain them on paper towels to get rid of any extra oil. Sprinkle a little salt over them if you like – it's optional.
    process shots showing how to make fried cauliflower.

Video

Notes

  1. No Deep Fryer, No Problem: If you don't have a deep fryer, you can still make this recipe in a deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot. Just fill it with enough oil to cover the cauliflower pieces and use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
  2. Oil Temperature is Key: Maintaining the correct oil temperature (365°F/185°C) is crucial for getting that perfect crispy texture. If the oil is too cool, the cauliflower will absorb too much oil and become greasy; if it's too hot, it will burn on the outside before cooking through.
  3. Season to Taste: Feel free to adjust the seasoning in the batter or add extra spices to the breadcrumbs to suit your taste. A little garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even some grated Parmesan can add a great flavor boost.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 547mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 3mg