This baked orange cauliflower is a vegetarian version of Chinese Orange Chicken. The homemade orange sauce with crispy bites of cauliflower is so delicious!
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (1) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (1)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Orange-Cauliflower-recipe.jpg)
Cauliflower is all the rage in vegetarian cooking, and for good reason.
This crispy orange cauliflower is baked, not fried, and is a crazy delicious dupe for orange chicken.
When I was making my orange tofu recipe, I just knew that crispy chunks of cauliflower needed to happen next!
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (2) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (2)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-16.jpg)
It took me four times to perfect my orange sauce recipe, and now I’m using it on everything!
While I love a good classic stir fry sauce, or teriyaki sauce, there is just something so good about a homemade orange sauce.
It brings all the flavor of takeout to your dinner table.
I have now made this sauce with all kinds of stir fry recipes and it is such a fun change!
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (3) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (3)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-2.jpg)
How to Make Orange Cauliflower
Step 1: Wash and cut up a head of cauliflower into bite sized pieces.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together flour, water, and seasonings to make the batter for dipping.
In a separate bowl add the panko bread crumbs.
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (4) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (4)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-6.jpg)
Step 3: Dip each piece of cauliflower into the batter, then tap off any excess.
Roll in the panko bread crumbs to coat.
Place each piece of cauliflower onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (5) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (5)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-7.jpg)
The parchment paper will make sure that the cauliflower gets nice and crispy without sticking.
Try not to let the pieces touch as they might stick together.
Step 4: Bake the cauliflower at 425 degrees for 20 – 30 minutes, flipping at least once halfway through.
This will allow the pieces to get crispy on all sides.
The end result should be super crisp bite sized pieces.
I used this same method to make this Teriyaki Cauliflower as a copycat for vegan Teriyaki Chicken!
Step 5: While the cauliflower is cooking, you will make a batch of the homemade orange sauce on the stove.
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (6) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (6)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/orange-sauce-recipe-53.jpg)
What is orange sauce made of?
Homemade orange sauce is made of orange juice, brown sugar, pure maple syrup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (7) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (7)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-9.jpg)
Step 6: Once the cauliflower is done cooking, add it to the orange sauce and stir until the bites of cauliflower are totally coated.
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (8) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (8)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-11.jpg)
Serve this orange cauliflower over white rice for the ultimate takeout style dinner!
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if you want to.
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (9) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (9)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-13.jpg)
I was delighted how much this tasted like orange chicken, and it was even delicious reheated the next day.
The oven gets the cauliflower crispy without frying it, making this a much lighter recipe.
The panko bread crumbs give it that great breaded texture!
![Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (10) Easy Orange Cauliflower Recipe - Build Your Bite (10)](https://i0.wp.com/buildyourbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OrangeCauliflower-14.jpg)
If you love orange sauce takeout, this orange cauliflower recipe is a must try.
White rice is a must, in my opinion, just like you would eat it if you ordered takeout!
If you love stir fry recipes, be sure to checkout these Teriyaki Vegetables too.
Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!
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Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
This crispy baked orange cauliflower is the vegetarian version of the classic Chinese favorite Orange Chicken.
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
For the Orange Sauce
- 1 batch of Orange Sauce
for serving
- 4 servings cooked white rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Wash and cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces
- In a bowl, combine the water, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt
- Place the panko bread crumbs in a separate bowl
- Dip each piece of cauliflower in the water/flour mixture, tap off excess, then roll in the panko bread crumbs. Add more bread crumbs if necessary.
- Place the breaded pieces of cauliflower on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Bake at 425 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes, flipping at least once, until crispy on all sides.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, make a batch of orange sauce
- Once the cauliflower is finished cooking, add to the orange sauce and stir to coat
- Serve orange cauliflower over white rice and top with optional sesame seeds and green onions, if desired
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 453Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 566mgCarbohydrates: 92gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 12g