You know the feeling when you discover a recipe that’s so good, you just can’t gate-keep it? That’s exactly how I feel about these Sweet and Sour Crunchy Cauliflower Bites. They’re made from tender cauliflower that’s coated in tortilla chips, baked, and topped with a saucy sweet and sour sauce. This recipe comes directly from my debut cookbook, and I know you’re going to love it!

A baking dish, full of the sweet and sour crunchy cauliflower

Friends, can you believe that this fall will mark TWO YEARS since my debut cookbook, LOVE TO EAT, came out? I truly can’t believe it. It feels like just yesterday I was busy in my kitchen, trying to create delicious, nourishing, easy recipes for you to enjoy. And now, the book filled with over 70+ recipes has been out in the world for nearly two years. Time really does fly by!

I love seeing all of your Instagram Stories sharing the recipes that you make from the book. And one of my favorite recipes that you guys have made? My Sweet and Sour Crunchy Cauliflower Bites. These tiny bites are mighty and are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and are coated with crunchy crushed tortilla chips and a drizzle of my homemade sweet and sour sauce. While I love serving this recipe as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, it truly is perfect anytime of day. Just the other day, I made a big batch of these as a snack, and my boys and I ate the whole tray ourselves! Believe me when I say that they’re truly that good.

All of the ingredients needed to make these sweet and sour crunchy cauliflower bites, laid out on a countertop — To make this dish, you will need cauliflower, tortilla chips, flour, starch, non-dairy milk, seasonings, coconut sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, and scallions.

A bowl, filled with he batter, with the cauliflower actively being dipped inside — To make this dish, you will need cauliflower, tortilla chips, flour, starch, non-dairy milk, seasonings, coconut sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, and scallions.

What You Need to Make This Easy Cauliflower Appetizer

Cauliflower: Of course you need cauliflower for this recipe. I always look for the largest head of cauliflower I can find, to make the most amount of bites possible! However, you can also opt to use pre-cut cauliflower florets.
Tortilla Chips: Tortilla chips are the secret ingredient in this recipe. I always use Siete Foods sea salt tortilla chips, because they are thin and crush easily, and they are gluten-free! But any tortilla chips will work.
Flour: Both gluten-free flour and conventional wheat flour work just as well, here. Pick whichever one you want, or use what you have on-hand!

All of the ingredients needed to make the sauce for this sweet and sour crunchy cauliflower, actively being whisked together

Tapioca Starch or Arrowroot Starch or Cornstarch: A thick sauce is key to this recipe, so a thickening agent is necessary here to achieve that perfect texture. This recipe has been tested with all three of the above ingredients, and they all work just as well!
Non-Dairy Milk: Any non-dairy milk works well, in this recipe!
Seasonings: The seasoning for this cauliflower is simple: just some sea salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper does the trick!
Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar makes this sauce sweet without the extra refined sugars.
Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free, opt for the coconut aminos. If not, traditional soy sauce also works well, here!
Pineapple Juice: The juice from one can of pineapple is exactly what you’ll need.
Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible. The flavor is truly unbeatable!
Ginger: Ground ginger packs a punch to any recipe, including this one.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat to this recipe.
Sesame Seeds: A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds the perfect texture to this recipe.
Scallions: These are optional, but I love to garnish these cauliflower bites with a sprinkle of fresh scallions!

A bowl, filled with the sauce, with the cauliflower actively being dipped into it — Next, prepare the sauce by adding all of the sauce ingredients to a large measuring cup or bowl and whisk until they’re fully combined. Then, dip the battered cauliflower into the sauce.

How to Make This Perfectly Crunchy Cauliflower

To make this cauliflower, start by preheating your oven to 400 F. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil. You can grease the foil lightly with oil or butter. Next, prepare the cauliflower. Wash and chop the cauliflower into florets that are roughly the same size.

Then, prepare the tortilla chips by crushing them. You can do this by placing them into a ziplock bag, sealing the top, and using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer to crush them into small pieces. Once the tortilla chips are crushed, transfer them to a small bowl and set them aside. Next, prepare the batter- add the flour, starch, non-dairy milk, black pepper, sea salt and garlic powder to a large bowl and whisk to combine, making sure that there are no clumps. Add the cauliflower into the batter and use a spoon or spatula to coat them well.

The sweet and sour crunchy cauliflower bites, laid out on a baking sheet — Place the cauliflower bites onto a baking sheet and allow them to bake for 20-22 minutes, until they are nice and crispy. Then, remove them from the oven, dip the cauliflower bites into the sauce, then transfer them back to the baking sheet and allow them to cook for an additional 5 minutes.

A close-up image of the finished sweet and sour crunchy cauliflower, sitting in a baking dish — Place the cauliflower bites onto a baking sheet and allow them to bake for 20-22 minutes, until they are nice and crispy. Then, remove them from the oven, dip the cauliflower bites into the sauce, then transfer them back to the baking sheet and allow them to cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Then, transfer the cauliflower to the bowl with the tortilla chips and roll them around until they’re fully coated. Transfer the coated florets to the baking sheet, then repeat until all of the cauliflower has been coated. Transfer the tray into the oven and allow the cauliflower to bake for 20-22 minutes.

While the cauliflower is baking, prepare the sauce by adding all of the sauce ingredients to a large measuring cup or bowl and whisk until they’re fully combined. Once the cauliflower is done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cauliflower to cool slightly.

Then, dip each floret into the sauce, swirling it around until it’s fully coated. Return the coated cauliflower to the baking sheet and repeat until all of the cauliflower has been coated in the sauce. Once they’re done, return the cauliflower back to the oven and bake them for an additional five minutes.

Once the five minutes is up, remove them from the oven and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.