Craving a crunchy, flavorful snack that’s also nutritious? Look no further than this irresistible cauliflower popcorn. These bite-sized cauliflower florets are seasoned to perfection, coated in a crispy batter, and fried until golden brown. Perfect for parties, game nights, or as a tasty treat, this cauliflower snack will satisfy your cravings without the guilt.
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 head of cauliflower (about 700 gms), cut into bite-sized florets
- Salt – ½ tsp
- Panko breadcrumbs – 2 cups
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
For the Dry Coating:
- Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp, finely chopped (or use any other herb like coriander or oregano)
- Garlic powder – ½ tsp
- Onion powder – ½ tsp
- Freshly crushed black pepper – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Corn flour – 4 tbsp
- All-purpose flour – 4 tbsp
For the Wet Batter:
- Corn flour – 5 tbsp
- All-purpose flour – 5 tbsp
- Light soy sauce – 2 tsp
- Yogurt – 3 tbsp
- Salt – 1 tsp
For the Spice Mix:
- Garlic powder – ½ tsp
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Onion powder – ½ tsp
- Red chili powder – 1 tsp
- Chat masala – 1 tsp
- Powdered sugar – 1 tsp
- Black pepper – ½ tsp
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and rinse well. Blanch the florets in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
- Dry Coating: In a large bowl, mix together the finely chopped parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, corn flour, and all-purpose flour. Toss the cauliflower florets in this mixture to coat them evenly.
- Wet Batter: In another bowl, combine the corn flour, all-purpose flour, light soy sauce, yogurt, and salt. Gradually pour in water, stirring constantly, until you achieve a thick, smooth batter. Dip each coated cauliflower floret into the wet batter, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Breadcrumb Coating: Roll the battered cauliflower florets in the panko breadcrumbs until they are completely covered.
- Deep Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the cauliflower florets in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Take out and place on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Spice Mix: In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, salt, onion powder, red chili powder, chat masala, powdered sugar, and black pepper.
- Toss and Serve: Sprinkle the spice mix over the hot, fried cauliflower popcorn. Toss gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the spice mix.
Conclusion
Delight in these scrumptious cauliflower crunch bites, perfect as a snack or appetizer. With their crispy exterior and savory seasoning, these cauliflower morsels are sure to be a hit. Whether you dip them in your favorite sauce or eat them plain, this simple recipe is guaranteed to become a staple for its effortless preparation and delicious flavor. Enjoy every bite!