Cauliflower Nuggets (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
The flavor is amazing, and they are perfect as an appetizer or smothered with your favorite sauce as a main course!
Also, try Baked Tofu Nuggets.
Feeling for some delicious cauliflower nuggets? These are full of flavor and also coated with gluten-free breading. My family enjoyed this recipe very much.
It is easy to make! I left the yeast flakes as optional for those who are on a yeast-free diet but yeast flakes really enhance the flavor!
Ingredients For Cauliflower Nuggets
- Cauliflower Florets: The star of the dish, cauliflower florets are cut from the head of the cauliflower and serve as a nutritious and versatile base. They have a mild, slightly nutty flavor that adapts well to various seasonings, making them perfect for nuggets.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: This egg-free alternative to traditional mayonnaise adds creaminess and binds the other ingredients together. It helps in creating a moist texture inside the nuggets while allowing the outer coating to crisp beautifully.
- Gluten-Free Flour: A key ingredient for those avoiding gluten, this flour is used to help form the outer crust of the nuggets. It provides structure and ensures they hold together during cooking.
- Nutritional yeast flakes: These flakes add a cheesy, umami flavor without any dairy. Nutritional yeast is also packed with nutrients, including B-vitamins, making it a favorite in vegan cooking.
- Onion Powder:Provides a concentrated burst of savory flavor, enhancing the nuggets’ taste without using fresh onions.
- Garlic Powder: Similar to onion powder, garlic powder provides a rich, aromatic flavor that is essential for creating a depth of taste in the nuggets.
- Ground paprika: This spice adds warmth and a vibrant color to the nuggets, imparting a subtle sweetness and smokiness that complements the cauliflower.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs including oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary, Italian seasoning brings a classic Mediterranean flair to the dish, enriching the nuggets with a herby zest.
- Turmeric Powder: Known for its bright yellow color and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric adds a mild, earthy flavor and a beautiful golden hue to the nuggets.
- Sea Salt: A sprinkle of sea salt enhances all the flavors in the nuggets, helping to balance the spices and the natural taste of the cauliflower, making each bite perfectly seasoned.
How to Make Cauliflower Nuggets?
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place cauliflower florets in a bowl, toss with mayonnaise, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, yeast flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and turmeric powder. Mix well.
- Dip cauliflower florets in breading, place them on a baking sheet, and repeat until all florets are coated.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway. Delicious served with ketchup or barbecue sauce.
Other Vegan Recipes To Try
These cauliflower nuggets are packed with flavor! They are perfect as an appetizer or as a side dish! The best time to serve them is right away while they are still hot! I prepare them last, baking while assembling a salad, setting the table, and making final touches before guests arrive.
Update: I feel so honored because my cauliflower nuggets were included in the menu of the Vegetarian Society of DC (VSDC) Thanksgiving Dinner last year. This event is hosted annually, where vegetarians and non-vegetarians come together to give thanks and enjoy vegetarian dishes.
The event also features an influential keynote speaker and entertainers. I hope to go to this special event someday.
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Cauliflower Nuggets (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound cauliflower florets
- 1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons brown rice flour or your favorite gluten free flour
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch turmeric powder
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place cauliflower florets in a bowl, toss with mayonnaise and set aside
- In a small bowl combine breading ingredients brown rice flour, yeast flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, turmeric powder and mix well.
- Dip cauliflower florets in breading and place on baking sheet, repeat until all florets are coated.
- Bake for 30 minutes turning halfway. Delicious served with ketchup or barbecue sauce.
Is there anything I could substitute the vegan mayo for?
Lauryn, you could try mixing unsweetened non-dairy milk with flour of choice.
I’m curious how non dairy yogurt would do.
Perfect, just remember to use unsweetened.
I just made it with the shortcut version but used GF bread crumbs. it was excellent. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Judith, I’m glad you enjoyed it, thank you for sharing with us your adjustment.
Wow seriously so gooood just killed the entire batch and feeling like doing it again! Wow wow wow, this is now my go to cauliflower wi g recipe, thank you for sharing!!
Michelle, you are so funny. I’m so happy you enjoyed them. Definitely one of my family’s favorite recipe. Thank you for your feedback.
Great recipe! Took a shortcut and poured the breading over the cauliflower and tossed to coat. Didn’t look as perfect as coating them individually, but saved time and still had the same yummy taste. Quick, easy, and flavorful! Thank you for another fantastic recipe to share with my family!
Allison thank you for sharing your shortcut method, I will have to try it.
Loved it! I used almond flour and smoked paprika, soooooo good! Thank you!
Jp I’m so happy you loved it and thankful it turned out well with your adjustments. Thank you for your feedback.
Are they ok eaten cold too?
Eating while warm is best, I don’t remember serving them cold.
Love the options and the ease of preparation.
So glad to have found this recipe! We used coconut flour instead of rice flour (that’s what we had on hand) and it worked really well! So good! Ate it with a sweet mustard sauce (yellow mustard and maple syrup)… thanks for sharing!
Carrie, I’m happy it turned out great with your adjustments. Thank you for sharing your result.
I made these for non-vegan friends and it was absolutely delicious. People who hate cauliflower were fighting over who would get more. Everyone complained I made so little. I felt sad because there were no leftovers. It was seriously good stuff. Perfect side to a WFPB lasagne my husband made.
Thanks you :)
Jojo, I’m so happy everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it.
I’ve made this several times now and it’s delicious and simple. First time I used rice flour, but after that I used wheat flour, since we’re not GF, and that worked just fine. Even my kids’ friends ate it :-)
Thank you Beth, I’m so happy you all enjoyed it.
My family LOVES this recipe! We’ve had it every week lately. We double the recipe and eat it as a main course with salad. Tonight I made it with gf panko bread crumbs, because that was what I had, and it was even a notch better. We all like different dipping sauces, but my son swears that gochujang is the very best.
Thank you Colleen for your feedback, I’m so happy your family loved them. I love your creative ideas and I’m sure our readers will benefit from them.