Ok, I admit it, I am completely obsessed with any kind of crunchy, baked cauliflower recipe. I am still WAY into this version of Springfield-style cashew cauliflower and also this Hot Cauliflower Pizza. And I can’t stop, guys!
These Spicy Pimento Cauliflower Bites are crunchy, spicy and go oh-so-well with the creamy pimento cheese dip I made alongside them. This is vegetarian comfort food at its best if you ask me.
Related: 30 Easy Finger Food Ideas
The pimento cheese dip is perfect for, well, dipping the cauliflower bites into. Although I think I like it equally as well on top of celery sticks. And I don’t usually like celery sticks. 🙂
The recipe below is a good size for two as a meal or you could totally serve this as a fun and different appetizer or at a party. Maybe Super Bowl food? I don’t know.
If you mention the Super Bowl weeks after it happened will you give yourself away as the barely aware non-fan that you might be? Hmm… I guess we’ll see.
Spicy Pimento Cauliflower Bites + Pimento Cheese Dip, serves 2 as a meal or more as an appetizer
1 head of cauliflower
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon diced pimento (from a 4 oz. jar)
2 tablespoons hot sauce, divided
2/3 cup bread crumbs
For the dip:
4 oz. cream cheese
2 oz. sharp cheddar
2 tablespoons mayo
remaining pimentos from 4 oz. jar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons honey, for the tops
celery sticks to serve
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the bottom leaves and stem from the cauliflower head and cut into small florets. In a food processor blend together the flour, milk, pimento, and 1 tablespoon of hot sauce. In another bowl, place the bread crumbs.
Dip the cauliflower pieces in the flour mix, then in the bread crumbs. Then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and coated in the olive oil. Once you’ve dipped all the cauliflower pieces, bake for 20 minutes.
While those bake, prepare the pimento cheese dip. In a food processor combine the cream cheese, cheddar, mayo, pimentos, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Blend to combine well, then remove to a small bowl.
Once the cauliflower bites are done, remove from the oven. In a small bowl or cup, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon hot sauce and the honey. Brush or drizzle over the baked cauliflower bites.
Serve alongside the dip with some celery sticks. Here’s just a few notes:
-I used white whole wheat flour, almond milk, and 100% whole wheat Panko bread crumbs for my version. But you can use virtually any flour, milk, and bread crumb situation that you prefer.
-You can also use any hot sauce that you like. I used Tapatio this time, but I also really love Cholula. 🙂
Enjoy! xo. Emma
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Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- ⅓ cup flour
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon diced pimento (from a 4 oz. jar)
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (divided)
- ⅔ cup bread crumbs
For the Dip:
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 2 oz. sharp cheddar
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- remaining pimentos from 4 oz. jar
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey (for the tops)
- celery sticks to serve
Equipment
- blender or food processor
- cookie sheet
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the bottom leaves and stem from the cauliflower head and cut into small florets. In a food processor blend together the flour, milk, pimento, and 1 tablespoon of hot sauce. In another bowl, place the bread crumbs. Dip the cauliflower pieces in the flour mix, then in the bread crumbs. Then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and coated in the olive oil. Once you’ve dipped all the cauliflower pieces, bake for 20 minutes.
- While those bake, prepare the pimento cheese dip. In a food processor combine the cream cheese, cheddar, mayo, pimentos, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Blend to combine well, then remove to a small bowl.
- Once the cauliflower bites are done, remove from the oven. In a small bowl or cup, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon hot sauce and the honey. Brush or drizzle over the baked cauliflower bites. Serve alongside the dip with some celery sticks.
I was just talking to someone about how there are never any good Vegetarian dishes at Super Bowl parties. I’m going to try this instead of going for the pre-made guac at the store. Thank you for sharing!
Yum! Never been a big cauli fan- esp hate cauliflower rice! – but this does look good!
Just when I think that I’ve tried every cauliflower recipe out there I find this! It looks so great, and I’m making this for dinner tomorrow! YUM!
Yes that dip is awesome. I’ve Just tasted 🙂
I will definitely make these! I’m from Buffalo and would love to make spicey Buffalo style cauliflower. Yummy.
These look sooo good! I love cauliflower!
Aleeha xXx
http://www.halesaaw.co.uk/
These look like an incredible alternative to nuggets, so much love for cauliflower
– Natalie
www.workovereasy.com
It looks healthy and tasty! http://www.likehanna.com
This looks amazing! Totally making this for lunch tomorrow!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious!!! I am a vegetarian, so finding new ways to cook the same old veggies can be a bit of a challenge. Can’t wait to test this one out!
Oh my gosh! I was just talking to someone about how there are never any good Vegetarian dishes at Super Bowl parties. I’m going to try this instead of going for the pre-made guac at the store. Thank you for sharing!
Love this! My boyfriend is on the keto diet now, and I’m always looking for veggie based treats we can eat together. I think this would be pretty easy to alter to make keto-friendly (use an egg mixture instead of flour, or almond flour, and then crumble up some no-carb crackers).
Thanks!
I love cauliflower, so thanks for this yummy recipe. I just wanted to know does the cauliflower go soft after 20 minutes or is it crunchy.
Yum! It looks delicious!
Oh my word! They just look to die for! Will certainly be giving these babies a try asap.
Katie xoxo
They look super delicious!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Oh my that looks so delicious! I’ve been meaning to try things like this for my next family gathering (especially since i became vegetarian and my family freaks out a bit that they won’t have enough to eat!)
Definitely gonna give it a go!
Thanks Emma! :*
Melodie
www.happymelodie.com
This is one recipe I HAVE to make. Vegetarianism at its best!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you! I had a lot of fun with these ones. 🙂
-Emma
What a high compliment Matt, thank you.
-Emma