Go Back
Print
close up of orange vegan cauliflower

Vegan Orange Chicken

This is a tasty alternative to your traditional orange chicken. It's baked not fried and takes just a little over half an hour from start to finish

Calories 1709 kcal

Ingredients

For The Cauliflower

  • 1 large head cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup coconut milk may sub any milk or milk substitute
  • 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour may sub gluten free flour blend
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder

For The Orange Sauce

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tbs soy sauce
  • 2 tbs apple cider vinegar may sub any vinegar
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 ½ tb corn starch
  • 1 tbs orange zest
  • Optional Garnish: sesame seeds green onions, orange slices or siracha

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F and prepare a baking sheet with non-stick spray or parchment. For added crispiness, use a baking/cooling rack but it’s not necessary.

  2. Start by making a batter by whisking together the milk, flour, salt and baking powder. Whisk until no lumps remain adding more water to thin or more flour to thicken batter. Shooting for a slightly thicker batter works the best.
  3. Dip the cauliflower florets into the batter then line them along the baking sheet. You can also stir them directly into the batter and shake off the excess batter.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cauliflower begins to brown.
  5. While the coated cauliflower is baking, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, spices and orange zest together in a sauce pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium high heat.
  6. In a separate small bowl whisk together the corn starch and water to make a slurry.
  7. Add slurry to the sauce mixture and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 more minutes. Once the sauce starts to come together, set aside to cool as it continues to thicken.
  8. Toss hot cauliflower florets in cooled sauce and enjoy! Serve warm over rice and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

Can be refrigerated for up to 3 days
Can be frozen up to three months.
Reheat by roasting for 15 min at 350F or microwave or air fryer at 375F for 5-7 minutes (but initial crisp will softer unless using air fryer reheating method)

Nutrition Facts
Vegan Orange Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1709 Calories from Fat 468
% Daily Value*
Fat 52g80%
Saturated Fat 44g220%
Sodium 4574mg191%
Potassium 3141mg90%
Carbohydrates 292g97%
Fiber 18g72%
Sugar 126g140%
Protein 38g76%
Vitamin A 793IU16%
Vitamin C 412mg499%
Calcium 272mg27%
Iron 19mg106%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.