Beer Battered Cauliflower

Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor—this beer-battered cauliflower is the perfect meat-free alternative to classic bar food! Whether you bake or fry it, you’ll get that perfect crunchy coating with a smoky BBQ finish. Trust me, you’re gonna want to make extra!

Author: Food with Feeling

Meal Type: Eggs Free

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: EASY

Prep. Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 203 kcal per serving

Ingredients

1 large head - cauliflower
1 cup - all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons - smoked paprika
1 tsp - garlic powder
1 tsp - baking powder
½ tsp - fine sea salt
1 cup - light beer
½ cup - BBQ sauce

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the beer and mix until just combined—don’t overmix, a few lumps are totally fine!
Toss in the cauliflower, making sure every piece is fully coated in that delicious batter.
To Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the battered cauliflower and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
To Fry: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the cauliflower in batches for a few minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
Transfer to a bowl and toss with BBQ sauce while still warm. Serve immediately and enjoy!
If you would like to make this WITHOUT beer, you can swap it for tonic water or club soda instead! You could also swap it out for buttermilk as desired.
I used a nonalcoholic beer but regular beer is good too!

Nutrition