Crispy Cauliflower Tacos with Smoky Chipotle Crema & Tangy Slaw (Vegan!)
Transform your Taco Tuesday into an unforgettable culinary adventure with these incredible Crispy Cauliflower Tacos! Each bite delivers a symphony of textures and flavors – from perfectly seasoned, crispy breaded cauliflower to a lusciously smoky and spicy chipotle crema, all balanced by a vibrant, tangy slaw. This hearty and wholesome vegan taco dinner is packed with so much deliciousness, it’s bound to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.
These Crispy Cauliflower Tacos aren’t just good; they are, without exaggeration, some of the absolute best tacos I’ve ever had the pleasure of creating and devouring. They stand proudly alongside my Crispy Beer-Battered Vegan Fish Tacos and BBQ Chickpea Tacos, offering a unique and deeply satisfying experience. Every mouthful is truly an adventure for your taste buds – a delightful journey that begins with the irresistible crunch of perfectly breaded and baked cauliflower, transitions to the cool, zesty tang of the fresh slaw, and culminates in the rich, smoky heat of the homemade vegan chipotle crema. And let’s not forget the creamy slices of avocado and the vibrant kick of fresh jalapeño, adding layers of freshness and spice that elevate these tacos to pure perfection. If you love discovering new flavor combinations, get ready for a treat!
What makes these tacos truly exceptional is their comprehensive flavor profile and diverse textures. They manage to hit every note: salty, sweet, tangy, spicy, and umami, all while providing an amazing contrast between crispy, creamy, and crunchy elements. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience designed to please even the most discerning palates, proving that plant-based eating can be incredibly exciting and fulfilling. They truly have it all – and then some!
While the ingredient list for these cauliflower tacos may appear extensive at first glance, don’t let that deter you! The preparation process is surprisingly straightforward, and each component plays a vital role in creating the overall harmonious flavor. Skipping any ingredient would truly diminish the magic of this dish, as every element is carefully chosen to complement the others. The great news for busy weeknights is that both the vibrant slaw and the creamy chipotle crema can be prepared a day or two in advance. This means that on the day you plan to serve, all you’ll need to focus on is baking the crispy cauliflower. Then, it’s just a matter of assembling your culinary masterpieces and diving into a truly flavourful dinner!
Essential Notes on Ingredients for Your Best Tacos
Below, you’ll find important details and helpful tips regarding the ingredients and instructions. For the complete recipe with precise measurements and comprehensive steps, please scroll down to the dedicated recipe card.
For the Perfectly Crispy Cauliflower:
- Cauliflower: Choose a firm, white head of cauliflower. The fresher, the better for that ideal texture.
- All-purpose gluten-free flour: This ensures the recipe is accessible to everyone. If gluten isn’t a concern for you, feel free to use regular all-purpose flour. The flour creates the foundational layer for our crispy coating.
- Almond milk: Acts as the liquid component of our batter, helping the flour and spices adhere to the cauliflower. Unsweetened almond milk is recommended to keep the flavors savory.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the cauliflower itself, enhancing its natural taste.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the batter.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a savory, aromatic foundation into the crispy coating.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Provides a gentle, inviting warmth. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of spice!
- Breadcrumbs: The key to achieving that irresistible crispy texture. Panko breadcrumbs often yield an even crunchier result.
For the Vibrant Kale Cabbage Slaw:
- Kale: Any variety works well, but lacinato (dinosaur) kale or curly kale shredded finely provides a great texture. It adds a wonderful nutritional boost and a slightly bitter counterpoint to the other flavors.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots add sweetness, color, and another layer of crunch.
- Purple cabbage: Crucial for that beautiful vibrant color and a robust, fresh crunch. Green cabbage can be used as a substitute if purple is unavailable.
- Apple cider vinegar: The star of the dressing, providing the essential tanginess that brightens the entire taco.
- Raw cane sugar: Balances the acidity of the vinegar, creating a perfectly rounded dressing. A touch of maple syrup or agave can also work.
- Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors in the slaw.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a subtle spice.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a rich, fruity note.
For the Irresistible Chipotle Crema:
- Vegan Greek yogurt: This is the creamy base for our crema. Ensure it’s plain and unsweetened to avoid unexpected flavors. It provides a delightful tang and richness.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is vital for brightening the crema and adding a zesty kick.
- Garlic: Finely minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic counterpoint to the smoky chipotle.
- Sea salt: To season the crema to perfection.
- Ground black pepper: A dash for added flavor depth.
- Chipotle chili in adobo: This is where the magic happens! Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce deliver incredible smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet notes. You can typically find these in cans in the international foods aisle of most grocery stores. Remember to mince it finely for even distribution.
- Paprika: Use regular paprika for color and mild flavor, or opt for smoked paprika to further enhance the smoky notes from the chipotle.
- Almond milk: Used to adjust the consistency of the crema. Add gradually to achieve your desired drizzling thickness.
To Assemble Your Flavourful Tacos:
- Soft taco shells: Corn or flour tortillas work wonderfully. For authenticity and a naturally gluten-free option, corn tortillas are fantastic.
- Jalapeño: Fresh, thinly sliced jalapeño adds a welcome fiery kick and bright flavor. Feel free to omit if you prefer a milder taco experience, or remove the seeds for less heat.
- Avocado: Creamy, ripe avocado slices provide a luxurious texture and healthy fats, mellowing the spice and adding richness.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro offers a burst of herbaceous freshness that is classic in tacos.
- Limes: Served in wedges for squeezing over the finished tacos, providing a final bright, zesty flourish that ties all the flavors together.
Mastering Cauliflower Prep: Cleaning and Cutting for Success
Properly preparing your cauliflower is the first step to truly crispy florets. Begin by rinsing the entire head of cauliflower thoroughly under cold water, then gently pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. While the outer leaves are indeed edible and could theoretically be added to your slaw for extra nutrition, for this recipe, you’ll want to remove them. Next, carefully cut the whole cauliflower into quarters. From there, remove the tough inner cores and the main stem. Finally, with your hands, gently pull apart the florets. The goal is to create uniformly sized florets, ideally resembling small “wings” or bite-sized pieces. Smaller, more consistent florets will cook more evenly and become wonderfully crispy all over, without some parts remaining raw or overly soft.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft Crispy Cauliflower Tacos
Ready to embark on a delicious journey to flavour-packed vegan taco perfection? Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps you’ll need to follow.
Preparing the Crispy Cauliflower:
1. Preheat and Prep Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 450ºF (230ºC). This high temperature is crucial for achieving that desired crispiness. While your oven heats, prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with either a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Avoid using aluminum foil, as the cauliflower can sometimes stick, affecting the crispiness.
2. Whisk the Batter: In a spacious bowl, combine all the ingredients for the cauliflower batter – that’s the gluten-free flour, almond milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk them together thoroughly until you have a smooth, well-combined mixture with no lumps. In a separate, shallow bowl, place your breadcrumbs. Arrange these two bowls side-by-side for an efficient breading station.
3. Coat the Cauliflower Florets: Take one cauliflower floret at a time and dip it into the wet batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Gently shake off any excess batter to prevent a thick, gummy coating. Immediately transfer the battered floret into the bowl of breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure an even and generous coating on all sides. Place the coated floret onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for even crisping. Repeat this process until every single cauliflower floret is beautifully breaded.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 22 minutes, or until the cauliflower florets are gorgeously golden brown and have achieved an irresistible crispiness. If you have a larger oven or are baking multiple trays, you might need to rotate the trays halfway through baking for even browning.
Crafting the Kale Cabbage Slaw:
1. Combine and Toss: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the slaw: the shredded kale, shredded carrots, shredded purple cabbage, apple cider vinegar, raw cane sugar, sea salt, ground black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil. Toss everything together vigorously until all the vegetables are thoroughly coated in the dressing and the ingredients are well-combined. Take a moment to taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary – you might want a little more salt, pepper, or a touch more sweetness.
2. Allow Flavors to Marinate: For the best flavor development, cover the bowl and let the slaw sit. You can leave it on the counter if you plan to assemble the tacos soon, or transfer it to the refrigerator. Allowing it to marinate for at least 15-30 minutes, or even a few hours, enables the flavors to meld beautifully and the vegetables to slightly soften while still retaining their crunch. This can be prepared a day ahead for ultimate convenience.
Whipping Up the Smoky Chipotle Crema:
1. Blend the Crema: While your cauliflower is happily baking away, it’s the perfect time to prepare the luscious chipotle crema. In the small bowl of a food processor or using an immersion blender, combine all the crema ingredients: vegan Greek yogurt, lime juice, minced garlic, sea salt, ground black pepper, finely minced chipotle chili in adobo, and paprika. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you desire a thinner, more drizzly consistency (ideal for squeeze bottles), add a tablespoon of almond milk or water at a time until you reach your preferred texture.
2. Chill for Optimal Flavor: Once blended, transfer the chipotle crema to a squeeze bottle for easy drizzling or into a small bowl if you prefer to spoon it. Refrigerate the crema until you are ready to assemble your tacos. Chilling allows the flavors to deepen and meld, and it also helps the crema thicken slightly.
Assembling Your Masterpiece Tacos:
1. Warm the Tortillas: Heat a dry skillet or a skillet with a tiny bit of olive oil (about a teaspoon) over medium heat. Place a soft taco tortilla in the skillet and heat for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, or until it’s soft, pliable, and slightly puffy with a few golden-brown spots. This warming step is crucial for making the tortillas more flexible and enhancing their flavor. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, stacking them in a clean towel to keep them warm and soft.
2. Layer and Serve: Now for the exciting part – assembly! Take a warm tortilla and layer it generously with a spoonful of the tangy kale cabbage slaw. Next, add several pieces of the crispy baked cauliflower. Top with creamy avocado slices, a few rings of fresh jalapeño (if using), and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Finally, drizzle a generous amount of the smoky chipotle crema over everything. Serve your magnificent crispy cauliflower tacos immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of zest. Enjoy every incredible bite!
Expert Tips for Taco Success
Achieving truly perfect crispy cauliflower tacos is easy with a few insider tips:
- The Smaller the Florets, the Crispier: While breaking down cauliflower can be a bit tedious, aiming for smaller, uniform florets pays off immensely. Smaller pieces mean more surface area for that delicious crispy breading, and they cook much faster and more evenly. Large pieces tend to stay softer in the center and might retain a slightly raw texture even after roasting. Think “popcorn” cauliflower size for the best results!
- Ensure Even Skillet Coating for Tortillas: When warming your tortillas, using a pastry brush to lightly coat the skillet with a minimal amount of olive oil ensures even heating and prevents sticking. This creates soft, pliable tortillas that are a joy to fill. Alternatively, a dry skillet works well too, but oil can add a little extra flavor and char.
- Optimize for Meal Prep: These tacos are fantastic for meal prepping! To maintain the integrity and freshness of each component, always store them separately. Keep the crispy cauliflower in an airtight container, the slaw in another, and the crema in its own container or squeeze bottle in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat only the cauliflower and tortillas. The slaw, crema, and fresh toppings should be added cold, right before assembly. This method ensures that the crispy elements stay crispy, and the fresh elements remain vibrant, preventing soggy tacos!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: For maximum crispiness, avoid piling the breaded cauliflower florets too close together on the baking sheet. Give them enough space so that hot air can circulate around each piece. Overcrowding will steam the cauliflower instead of baking it, leading to a softer, less desirable texture. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
- Consider a Cooling Rack: For even greater crispiness, after baking, you can transfer the cauliflower to a cooling rack set over the baking sheet for a few minutes. This allows air to circulate underneath and prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy.
Storage and Reheating Best Practices
To keep your crispy cauliflower tacos delicious for longer, proper storage is key. All individual components of this recipe – the crispy cauliflower (once cooled), the kale cabbage slaw, and the chipotle crema – will remain fresh and vibrant for up to 4 days when stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When it’s time to enjoy leftovers, the best way to reheat the cauliflower is in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven or an air fryer until it’s warmed through and re-crisped. This method prevents sogginess and brings back that lovely crunch. You can also warm the cauliflower gently in a skillet over medium heat. Avoid reheating the slaw or crema; they are best served cold to maintain their fresh textures and flavors. Assemble your tacos fresh each time for the ultimate experience!
Can This Delicious Recipe Be Frozen?
While the concept of freezing components for convenience is appealing, this particular recipe isn’t ideally suited for complete freezing. The crispy cauliflower can indeed be frozen; once cooled, place the florets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag for up to 1-2 months. Reheat from frozen in an oven or air fryer for crispiness. However, the slaw, the creamy chipotle crema, fresh avocado, and sliced jalapeños do not freeze well. Freezing and thawing these components would result in a watery, mushy texture and a significant loss of flavor. Therefore, it’s best to prepare these elements fresh or enjoy them within their refrigerated shelf life for the optimal taco experience.
We truly hope you enjoy making and savoring these amazing crispy cauliflower tacos, friends! If you try this fantastic vegan taco recipe, please do us a favor and snap a photo. Share it on Instagram and tag us using #jessicainthekitchen! We absolutely adore seeing your culinary creations. Your feedback is also incredibly valuable, so please consider leaving a comment below and giving the recipe a well-deserved rating. Thank you so much for your support and happy cooking!
Crispy Vegan Cauliflower Tacos
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Ingredients
Crispy Cauliflower
- 1 small head cauliflower
- 1/2 cup all purpose gluten free flour mix
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Kale Cabbage Slaw
- 2 cups kale, shredded
- 2 cups carrots, shredded
- 2 cups purple/red cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon raw cane sugar
- sea salt and ground black pepper to season
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Chipotle Crema:
- 1/4 cup Greek vegan yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic
- sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
Taco Assembly & Garnish:
- 10 corn tortillas
- ¾ of a small jalapeño, sliced (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
- 1/2 ripe avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, sliced into wedges for garnish
Instructions
Crispy Cauliflower
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (230 C).
- Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Do NOT use aluminum foil.
- Clean the cauliflower, remove the stem, and break it into florets.
- Chop the cauliflower florets into smaller, bite-sized pieces resembling small “wings” for optimal crispiness and even cooking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the batter ingredients (gluten-free flour, almond milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes) EXCEPT the breadcrumbs until smooth. Place the breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl, creating a breading station.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, shaking off any excess. Then, immediately transfer to the breadcrumbs bowl and coat thoroughly, pressing gently to adhere. Place the coated florets onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Repeat until all cauliflower is coated.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Kale Cabbage Slaw
- While the cauliflower is baking, combine all slaw ingredients (shredded kale, carrots, purple cabbage, apple cider vinegar, raw cane sugar, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil) in a medium bowl and toss until well-combined. Allow it to sit on the counter or in the fridge until ready to assemble the tacos, letting the flavors meld.
Chipotle Crema
- Concurrently with the cauliflower baking, prepare the crema. In a small food processor or using an immersion blender, blend all crema ingredients (vegan Greek yogurt, lime juice, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, finely minced chipotle chili in adobo, paprika) until smooth. Add almond milk or water a tablespoon at a time to thin for drizzling, if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a squeeze bottle or small bowl and refrigerate until ready for assembly.
To Assemble Tacos
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place 1-2 tortillas at a time in the skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or until warm, pliable, and slightly golden. Keep warm in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.
- To assemble, layer each warm tortilla with a generous portion of the kale cabbage slaw, several pieces of crispy cauliflower, slices of fresh avocado, jalapeños (if using), and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Finish by drizzling the tacos with the smoky chipotle crema. Serve immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy your incredible homemade vegan tacos!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.