Bang Bang Broccoli is a crispy, flavorful dish that is both gluten-free and vegetarian. With its easy preparation and irresistible combination of creamy and spicy sauces, this dish will make even broccoli skeptics eager to try it!
The Secret to Crispy Bang Bang Broccoli
The magic of Bang Bang Broccoli lies in its cornstarch coating, which replaces flour to deliver a gluten-free option. As the broccoli soaks in buttermilk, it becomes tender and flavorful. The addition of a quick and easy sauce later packs a punch that complements the crispy bites beautifully.
Blend and Fry for the Best Texture
The process to make this dish is straightforward. First, place the broccoli in buttermilk. While the broccoli soaks, you can prepare the sauce—a perfect blend of flavors that adds depth to every bite. Then, mix the breading ingredients.
Once it’s time to fry, bring the oil to temperature. Then maintain that temperature by not crowding the pan with too much broccoli. If the broccoli cooks for longer than the recipe calls for and is not brown, the cooking temperature is too low, and the broccoli will be hard. Frying the broccoli to a golden brown in a short amount of time ensures a satisfying crunch that everyone will appreciate.
The Sauce
The Bang Bang Broccoli sauce is incredibly simple to prepare! First, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl for a balance of creaminess and heat. Next, stir until the ingredients are well blended, and set the sauce aside to let the flavors meld.
Serving Ideas for Bang Bang Broccoli
The final touch is drizzling the spicy sauce and garnishing with sliced scallions. This elevates the dish, making it visually appealing and delicious. Serve Bang Bang Broccoli as an appetizer, a game-day food, or as a side to grilled meats. Note that this dish is best eaten immediately after cooking. You can reheat it, but it heats best without sauce on the broccoli, which can make it soggy. A convection oven or air fryer will produce the best reheating results.
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Bang Bang Broccoli
Equipment
- food thermometer
Ingredients
Soaking Broccoli Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk (enough to cover cut-up broccoli)
- 1 large head broccoli, washed and broken apart (break large florets into smaller pieces)
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha hot chili sauce
Breading Ingredients
- 1 cup cornstarch (add more cornstarch if necessary to thoroughly coat broccoli)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper, ground
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- cooking oil with high smoke point (such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil)
- 1 scallion, sliced (green onion)
Instructions
Directions for Soaking Broccoli
- Cut the broccoli and soak it in buttermilk for 15-20 minutes.
Directions for Sauce
- Stir mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha hot chili sauce until well combined. Set aside.
Directions for Cooking
- In a bowl, add cornstarch, red pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix.
- Remove the broccoli from the buttermilk and dredge it in the cornstarch mixture. Shake off the excess mix.
- Pour 1 to 2 inches of cooking oil into a pan. Heat to 350°F. Drop in broccoli and fry until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- When all of the broccoli is cooked, drizzle the sauce over it. Sprinkle with sliced scallions. Serve immediately.