Grandma Nickie's Deep Fried Cauliflower is a classic American comfort food recipe that turns cauliflower into a crispy and flavorful snack or side dish. The cauliflower florets are coated in a seasoned batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, and served hot. This recipe is perfect for parties, game nights, or as a delicious appetizer. With a preparation time of around 30 minutes, you can enjoy this crunchy and tasty dish in no time. Get ready to impress your guests with this irresistible deep-fried cauliflower!
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Directions
- Wash the cauliflower head and cut it into small florets.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Gradually add the milk to the dry ingredients and whisk until you have a smooth batter.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure it is fully coated.
- Carefully place the battered cauliflower into the hot oil, leaving enough space between the florets to prevent sticking.
- Fry the cauliflower in batches for about 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried cauliflower from the oil and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Repeat the frying process until all the cauliflower is cooked.
- Serve the deep-fried cauliflower hot as an appetizer or side dish. Enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Deep-frying cauliflower gives it a delightful crispy texture while keeping it tender on the inside.
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can absorb flavors and spices well, making it a great choice for deep-frying.
This recipe can be easily customized by adding different spices or seasonings to the batter for extra flavor.
Deep-fried cauliflower is often served with a dipping sauce like ranch dressing or spicy mayo.