BBQ cauliflower nuggets

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head of cauliflower
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for a gluten-free option)
• 1 cup of plant-based milk (such as almond, soy, or oat milk)
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• BBQ sauce for coating

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
2. Wash the cauliflower head and cut it into bite-sized florets, discarding the stem. Try to make them as uniform in size as possible so they cook evenly.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, plant-based milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until you have a smooth batter.
4. In another bowl, place the breadcrumbs. You can season the breadcrumbs with additional spices if you like, such as extra garlic powder or smoked paprika, for more flavor.
5. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure it’s well coated. Then, transfer it to the bowl with the breadcrumbs, rolling it around until it’s fully coated with breadcrumbs. Place the coated florets onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Once all the cauliflower florets are coated and placed on the baking sheet, bake them in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
7. While the cauliflower is baking, prepare your BBQ sauce. You can use store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own by mixing together ketchup, maple syrup or agave syrup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
8. Once the cauliflower is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, transfer the cauliflower nuggets to a large bowl and toss them with the BBQ sauce until they are evenly coated.
9. Serve the BBQ cauliflower nuggets hot as a delicious appetizer or snack. You can garnish them with chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Enjoy!