Honey Garlic Cauliflower

Crispy. Sticky. Garlicky. And just the right amount of sweet.
That’s Honey Garlic Cauliflower for you.

If you’ve ever thought cauliflower was boring, this recipe is about to change your mind. Imagine golden-fried cauliflower bites tossed in a hot, tangy, sweet sauce with a punch of garlic and a drizzle of honey that pulls it all together. 

You get that perfect blend of Indo-Chinese flavors—without needing to order takeout.

Now here’s the best part: it’s addictively good, but made from scratch with pantry staples. Whether you’re cooking for a weekend get-together or just spicing up a regular weeknight dinner, this one’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

A Little Backstory on Indo-Chinese Cuisine

If you’re wondering how a humble vegetable like cauliflower turned into one of the most loved starters on restaurant menus, you’re not alone. Over the last few years, fusion cooking has exploded — and nowhere is that more evident than in dishes like Honey Garlic Cauliflower.

This recipe doesn’t have deep historical roots, but it’s a modern Indo-Chinese creation born from the growing demand for plant-based alternatives that don’t compromise on flavor or texture. Inspired by American-style sticky garlic wings and classic Chinese stir-fries, this dish is the perfect example of how global flavors can collide in the best way.

What makes it so irresistible?
It’s that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and garlicky, combined with a light crisp from the fried cauliflower.

Whether you’re vegan-curious or just looking for something new to bring to the table, Honey Garlic Cauliflower hits the spot every single time.This isn’t just another appetizer — it’s the kind of starter that turns heads at parties and gets people asking for the recipe before dessert even shows up.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

• Crispy & saucy: That batter-fried crunch + sticky honey garlic glaze = magic.
• Vegetarian crowd-pleaser: Even meat-lovers won’t miss the chicken.
• Customizable: You can go spicier, sweeter, or even make it vegan (we’ll get to that).

Health Tip: Cauliflower is low in carbs and high in fiber and antioxidants, so yes, you can indulge a little more without the guilt.

Let’s Break Down the Ingredients

Here’s what brings this dish to life—and why each one matters:

• Cauliflower: The star! Soaks up flavor like a sponge.
• Maida (All-Purpose Flour) & Corn Flour: The crispy coating dream team.
• Garlic: Use fresh cloves. It’s the flavor bomb of the whole recipe.
• Soy Sauce + Vinegar + Ketchup: Classic Indo-Chinese base—savory, tangy, slightly sweet.
• Honey: Added after cooking to preserve that natural sweetness and glossy finish.
• Chilli Flakes & Pepper: Adds that spicy kick to balance the honey.
• Spring Onions: Fresh, vibrant, and the perfect finishing touch.

Vegan Swap: Just skip the honey and sub in maple syrup or agave nectar. You’ll still get that sweet-savory punch.

Here’s How It All Comes Together

You’ll start by prepping your cauliflower — cut it into medium-sized florets and give them a quick soak in hot water. This helps soften them just enough so they fry beautifully without going mushy.

Then, in a big bowl, you’re whipping up the batter — all-purpose flour, corn flour, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add water slowly and stir until you get a coating consistency. Toss in the cauliflower and coat well.

Now heat up that oil and start frying. You’re looking for golden brown perfection on all sides. Don’t overcrowd the pan — give those florets space to crisp up.

While those rest, it’s time to build the sauce. In another pan, add some oil and sauté your chopped garlic and onion till they turn aromatic. Add your spices—salt, chili powder, pepper, and chili flakes. Stir in the soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, and a splash of water.

Now, here’s where the texture magic happens: add a quick cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce. Let it simmer for a minute or two.

Then, toss the fried cauliflower into that gorgeous sauce. Mix until every floret is shiny, sticky, and coated in flavor.

Finally, kill the heat, drizzle in your honey, and finish with chopped spring onions.

Pro Tip: Add the honey off the heat to preserve its natural taste and prevent it from caramelizing too much.

What Goes Best With Honey Garlic Cauliflower?

This dish holds its own as a starter, but you can absolutely turn it into a full meal.

Pair it with:

• Fried rice (veg or egg)
• Garlic noodles
• Hakka noodles
• Steamed jasmine rice for a lighter combo
  

Serving Tips

• Serve hot for the best texture. That crispy-saucy combo fades if it sits too long.
• Bulk Prep? Double the batter and sauce—fry the cauliflower ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. Sauce comes together in 5 minutes when needed.
  

Ready to Try It?

So there you have it—Honey Garlic Cauliflower that’s crispy, saucy, and better than most restaurant versions.

Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements and step-by-step visuals.
Try it out, and drop your feedback in the comments — I’d love to hear how yours turns out!

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Print Recipe

Quick & Easy

Honey Garlic Cauliflower

Author: Hema Subramanian Cooking Method: Stirfrying Cuisine: Asian, Indo Chinese Courses: Starters and Appetizers Recipe Keys: C Crispy Delight P Party Favorite T Tasty

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 35 mins Total Time 45 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 240

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Dietary:

D Dairy-Free H High-Fiber N Nut-Free V Vegetarian

Description

This Honey Garlic Cauliflower is the perfect Indo-Chinese style starter — crispy fried cauliflower florets tossed in a sweet, sticky, garlicky sauce with just the right kick of spice. It’s quick to make, incredibly flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or alongside fried rice or noodles. A must-try for cauliflower lovers and spice fans alike!

Ingredients

Cook Mode Cooking Mode Disabled

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the batter

• ¹⁄₂ cup maida (all purpose flour)
• 2 tbsp corn flour
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• water (as needed)
• oil (for deep frying)

For the honey garlic cauliflower

• fried cauliflower
• 3 tsp oil
• 2 tbsp garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp vinegar
• 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
• water (as needed)
• corn flour slurry (corn flour + water)
• 2 tbsp honey
• spring onions (chopped)

Instructions

Prep Work

1. Chop garlic and onions

   Finely chop the garlic and dice the onion

2. Prepare slurry

   Mix corn flour and water to make a slurry
   

3. Soak cauliflower

   Cut cauliflower into florets and soak in hot water for 5 minutes and drain it.

   

Method

1. Mix dry batter ingredients

   Combine maida, corn flour, salt, chilli powder, and pepper in a bowl

2. Make batter

   Gradually add water and whisk into a slightly thick batter
   

3. Coat cauliflower

   Add soaked cauliflower into batter and mix well

4. Deep fry cauliflower

   Heat oil and deep fry the coated florets until golden brown, set aside

5. Heat oil for sauce

   Heat a separate kadai/wok and add oil

6. Sauté aromatics

   Add chopped garlic and onion and sauté until soft

7. Add spices

   Stir in salt, chilli powder, pepper, and chilli flakes
   

8. Add sauces

   Pour in soy sauce, vinegar, and ketchup, and mix

9. Dilute sauce

   Add some water to adjust consistency

10. Thicken sauce

    Add corn flour slurry and stir till thickened

11. Coat cauliflower in sauce

    Add fried cauliflower to sauce and mix well to coat
    

12. Finish with honey and garnish

    Turn off heat, add honey and spring onions
    

Equipment

• bowl

  

  Round Glass/Mixing Bowl big (2100ml)

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• Pan

  

  Non-Stick Omega Deluxe Granite Fry Pan 24 Centimetre

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• wok

  

  Kadai with Stainless Steel Lid, Flat Bottom Kadhai, Black

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Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 240kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1.2g6%

Sodium 520mg22%

Potassium 420mg12%

Total Carbohydrate 36g12%

Dietary Fiber 4g16%

Sugars 9g

Protein 4.5g9%

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Vitamin A 300 IU

Vitamin C 45 mg

Calcium 40 mg

Iron 1.3 mg

Vitamin K 8 mcg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Honey Garlic Cauliflower, Indo Chinese Recipe,

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