Go Back
- Cauliflower florets - 1 cup almond flour - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning - 2 teaspoons garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - ½ teaspoon salt - ¼ teaspoon black pepper - ½ cup unsweetened plant-based milk To make Spicy Cajun Cauliflower Bites, start with fresh cauliflower florets. These little bites need a great base. The almond flour gives them a nice crunch. Next, the Cajun seasoning brings the heat and flavor. Garlic powder and onion powder add depth. Smoked paprika gives a smoky twist. If you like spice, add cayenne to kick it up. Salt and black pepper round out the seasoning mix. - Fresh parsley - Lemon wedges Garnishes can take your bites to the next level. Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. It also contrasts nicely with the spicy flavors. Lemon wedges are great too. A squeeze of lemon brightens everything up. - Ranch dressing - Spicy aioli Dipping sauces make these bites even better. Ranch dressing is a classic choice. It cools off the spice nicely. For more heat, try a spicy aioli. This sauce adds creaminess and extra flavor. You can even mix and match sauces for fun! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high heat will help the cauliflower get nice and crispy. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of almond flour with the spices. Add 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until they blend well. This mix gives the cauliflower its spicy kick. Take your cauliflower florets and dip each one in ½ cup of plant-based milk. Let any extra milk drip off. Then, coat each floret with the dry almond flour mixture. Press gently to make sure the coating sticks. There’s no need to rush—make sure they’re evenly coated! Once done, arrange the coated florets on the baking sheet with some space between them. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the coated cauliflower bites. This oil will help them crisp up in the oven. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the bites halfway through. This helps them cook evenly and turn golden brown. Once baked, take them out and let them cool for a few minutes. This cooling time helps them firm up even more. To get that nice crunch, oil and spacing matter. Use olive oil to coat your cauliflower bites. This helps them crisp up nicely in the oven. Make sure to space the florets out on the baking sheet. If they are too close, they will steam instead of bake, which makes them soggy. For even cooking, flip the bites halfway through baking. This ensures all sides get golden brown. Do you want your bites milder? Just cut back on the cayenne pepper. You can also leave it out completely. For more heat, add extra cayenne or even some hot sauce to the milk. This lets you control how spicy your bites are. Always taste the mixture before coating the cauliflower. This way, you can adjust to your liking. You can prep these cauliflower bites in advance. Toss the florets in the milk and seasoned mixture a few hours before baking. Keep them in the fridge until you are ready to cook. This saves time and makes for a quick snack or appetizer. If you want to prepare even more, you can bake and store them. Just reheat in the oven for a few minutes to regain crispiness. Enjoy your tasty bites whenever you like! Pro Tips Adjust the Heat: Modify the amount of cayenne pepper according to your spice tolerance. Start with a small pinch, and taste before adding more! For Extra Crispiness: After coating the cauliflower, let them sit for 10 minutes before baking. This helps the coating adhere better and results in a crunchier texture. Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to mix in your favorite spices or herbs, such as thyme or oregano, to customize the flavor of your bites. Serve Immediately: These bites are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while they are still hot and crispy. Consider serving them with your favorite dipping sauce! {{image_4}} You can switch up your Cajun seasoning for a fresh twist. Try using Creole seasoning for a milder kick. You can also mix in some chili powder for a smoky flavor. Adding dried herbs like thyme or oregano can enhance the taste. Just remember, adjust the spices to match your heat preference. If you need to use regular flour instead of almond flour, it works fine. Just note that it may not be as crispy. For the milk, regular dairy milk can replace plant-based milk easily. This change won’t affect the flavor much, so feel free to use what you have on hand. These spicy bites shine when served with tasty sides. Pair them with a fresh salad or vegetable sticks for crunch. For a fun twist, place them in a taco shell with avocado and salsa. You can also serve them with ranch dressing or spicy aioli for dipping. Just think of creative ways to enjoy these delicious bites! To keep your spicy Cajun cauliflower bites fresh, store them in an airtight container. Let them cool completely before you store them. This step prevents steam from making them soggy. Place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb moisture. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. Reheating is key to keeping those bites crispy. I recommend using an oven or an air fryer. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the cauliflower bites on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway. If you use an air fryer, set it to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 5-7 minutes. This way, your bites stay crunchy and delicious! You can freeze the cauliflower bites if you have leftovers. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. To cook from frozen, follow the reheating steps above, adding a few extra minutes to the time. Enjoy your tasty bites later! Yes, you can easily make these bites gluten-free. You just need to switch the almond flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Many stores sell these blends, and they work well for this recipe. You can also use crushed gluten-free crackers or cornmeal for added crunch. Make sure to check all seasonings and any other ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free. These cauliflower bites are already vegan! Just stick to the almond flour and plant-based milk. Make sure your Cajun seasoning does not contain any animal products. This recipe has no dairy or eggs, so it fits well into a vegan diet. You can enjoy these bites without any worries. Pair these tasty bites with a range of dishes. They go well with a refreshing salad or some rice. You can also serve them with a creamy ranch dressing or a spicy aioli for dipping. If you want a more filling meal, add some roasted veggies or quinoa on the side. These bites can fit in any meal, lunch, or dinner. This blog covered how to make delicious cauliflower bites. We explored main ingredients like cauliflower and almond flour, plus fun garnishes and dips. I shared step-by-step instructions to guide you through prep and baking. You learned tips for a crispy texture and how to adjust flavors. We also discussed variations, storage methods, and answers to common questions. With these insights, you can enjoy tasty bites that suit your needs. Happy cooking!

Spicy Cajun Cauliflower Bites

Crispy and flavorful cauliflower bites coated in a spicy Cajun seasoning mix.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 2 cups unsweetened plant-based milk
  • 1 2 tablespoons olive oil, for drizzling
  • 1 to taste fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture well until you achieve a uniform blend of dry ingredients.
  • In a separate bowl, pour in the plant-based milk. This will be used for coating the cauliflower.
  • Take each cauliflower floret and dip it into the milk, ensuring any excess liquid drips off. Then, coat each floret in the seasoned almond flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well. Arrange the coated cauliflower bites on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
  • Once all the florets are coated, drizzle olive oil over the top of the bites. This will enhance their crispiness while baking.
  • Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the florets are golden brown and crispy. Remember to flip them halfway through the baking time for even cooking.
  • After baking, remove the sheet from the oven and allow the cauliflower bites to cool for a few minutes—this will help them firm up further.
  • Before serving, sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley to add a burst of color and freshness.

Notes

Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch or spicy aioli for an extra kick.
Keyword appetizer, Cajun, cauliflower, spicy, vegan