General Tsos Cauliflower Bowls (Printable)

Crispy cauliflower florets in tangy General Tsos sauce over rice with fresh vegetables for a vibrant plant-based takeout-style bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (such as soy or almond)
04 - 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
07 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for drizzling or spraying)

→ General Tsos Sauce

08 - ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
09 - ¼ cup water
10 - 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
11 - 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
12 - 3 tablespoons brown sugar
13 - 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
14 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
16 - 1½ tablespoons water (for slurry)
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
18 - 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or chili sauce (to taste)

→ Bowls & Garnishes

19 - 3 cups cooked jasmine or brown rice
20 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or shredded
21 - 1 cup snow peas, sliced
22 - 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
23 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
24 - Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Place flour mixed with salt and pepper in one bowl, plant-based milk in a second bowl, and panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret first in flour, then milk, then panko, pressing lightly to adhere. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Drizzle or spray florets with vegetable oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
05 - While cauliflower bakes, whisk together all sauce ingredients except the cornstarch slurry in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
06 - Mix cornstarch with 1½ tablespoons water to make a slurry. Stir into the simmering sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
07 - Once cauliflower is baked, toss gently with the warm sauce until well coated.
08 - Divide rice among bowls. Top with sauced cauliflower, carrots, snow peas, green onions, and sesame seeds. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the satisfaction of crispy coated morsels drenched in tangy sauce without opening a single takeout menu
  • The batter creates this shatteringly light crust that somehow survives being tossed in sauce, a small kitchen victory worth celebrating
02 -
  • Overcrowding the baking sheet creates steam instead of crunch, use two sheets if needed
  • Adding cornstarch directly to hot sauce creates lumps that never disappear, always mix with cool water first
  • The cauliflower softens quickly once sauced, serve immediately for that perfect crispy-tender contrast
03 -
  • Air fry at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes if you want even crispier results with less oil
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before tossing, but not too much or it wont coat evenly

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