Cauliflower Manchurian or Gobi Manchurian is one of the best vegan appetizers you can enjoy. Crunchy deep-fried cauliflower tossed in the most delicious spicy Manchurian sauce. Learn how to make it at home by following a few simple steps!
What is Cauliflower or Gobi Manchurian?
Cauliflower Manchurian is an Indo-Chinese appetizer or side dish made with deep-fried cauliflower coated in a spicy Manchurian sauce. The sauce is made with simple ingredients such as ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, hot chili sauce, water, and cornflour.
This appetizer combines Indian flavors with Chinese seasonings and the result is simply delicious.
You can get Gobi Manchurian with gravy or dry. Our recipe is a dry Cauliflower Manchurian as we like this version of the recipe better.
Our Cauliflower Manchurian is:
- Vegan
- An appetizer or side dish
- Very spicy
- Dry version
- Perfect for game day or parties
- Our favourite Indian Chinese recipes
How to make Gobi Manchurian
Crispy Cauliflower florets
The first step to making a delicious Cauliflower Manchurian is to prepare the Cauliflower. Originally, this recipe is made by deep-frying the cauliflower florets. We normally enjoy baked cauliflower more often than deep-fried as it is healthier and really nice, but for this recipe, we totally recommend deep-frying it.
We have this Indo-Chinese dish as a treat for parties, game days, or occasionally, on a Friday night, but it's not our weekday meal so when we make it, we feel like we have to make it properly by deep-frying the cauliflower.
Ingredients
So, what do you need to make the best crispy Gobi or Cauliflower? We keep the ingredients list for this part of the recipe really simple, keeping the sauce flavor-packed.
- Cauliflower
- All-purpose flour (use rice flour or arrowroot flour for a gluten-free option)
- Corn flour
- White or black pepper
- Water
- Salt
- Oil for deep-frying the cauliflower
Step-by-Step Method
- Combine all the ingredients for the batter in a mixing bowl and mix well until you have a homogeneous batter.
- Cut or break the cauliflower into florets. Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and using a spatula, toss the florets until they are properly coated.
- Add oil to a saucepan or a pan for deep frying and heat over medium heat. Add the battered cauliflower in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan.
- When golden brown, transfer to a plate with a paper towel to get the excess oil and set aside.
Manchurian Spicy Sauce
The second part of this recipe is making the yummy Manchurian gravy. You can start preparing the sauce while the cauliflower is cooking.
Ingredients
- Spring onion
- Garlic
- Tomato Ketchup or tomato sauce
- Soy sauce. We use dark soy sauce. (you can use tamari for a gluten-free option)
- Sambal Oelek or hot chili sauce
- Sugar
- White pepper
- Green bell pepper (optional)
- Corn flour or corn starch
Step-by-Step Method
- Heat some oil over medium heat in a wok or a big frying pan. For this Cauliflower Manchurian recipe, we like using our wok. Add the spring onion, chopped green pepper, and garlic finely sliced or chopped.
- Stir for a few minutes and then add the ketchup, soy sauce, Sambal Oelek, sugar, and white pepper.
- Add water, stir and cook for a few minutes.
- Dilute the corn flour in a little bit of water and add to the wok. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes and remove from the cooker.
Now all you need to do is add the fried cauliflower florets with the homemade Manchurian gravy, and some fresh spring onions on the top and serve this yummy Indo-Chinese appetizer!
Variations
You can find many different ways to make Gobi or Cauliflower Manchurian. Here you can find some variations to our recipe to suit your needs or tastes better.
- Bake the cauliflower florets. Instead of deep-frying the cauliflower, you can bake the florets by placing them on a baking tray. This is a healthier version and still really yummy. Follow our Orange Cauliflower recipe to make the crunchiest baked cauliflower.
- Make the gravy version of Gobi Manchurian. To make the gravy for Gobi Manchurian you will need to add more water and soy sauce. You can follow this recipe if you prefer to make gravy sauce.
- Instead of cauliflower, use another vegetable or protein such as Paneer Manchurian (vegetarian version) or Mushroom Manchurian.
- Make our Cauliflower Manchurian gluten-free. Swap the all-purpose flour for rice or arrowroot flour and substitute the soy sauce for tamari (gluten-free soy sauce).
Serving Suggestions
Dry Cauliflower Manchurian is a dish that can be served as an appetizer, as a side dish, or as a main with some basmati rice. Normally, Gobi Manchurian is enjoyed as a starter or finger food at parties and other gatherings. It can be served as a main course with Hakka Noodles, an Indo-Chinese noodle dish.
This dish is best enjoyed right after cooking it as the cauliflower will be nice and crispy.
If you want to prepare other starters to serve with this Gobi Manchurian, you should have a look at our onion bhaji recipe.
FAQ and Tips
- What's the difference between gravy and dry Gobi Manchurian? Our recipe is a dry version of Gobi Manchurian, which consists in making enough sauce to coat the cauliflower. The gravy version is served with more sauce and normally as a main dish with rice.
- Can I bake the cauliflower to make Gobi Manchurian? Sure, you can get crispy cauliflower by baking it and if you are planning on having this recipe often, you should bake it instead of deep-frying it. It's a much healthier version.
- Could this recipe be made gluten-free? Yes! Cauliflower Manchurian is an easy-to-make gluten-free appetizer. Swap the all-purpose flour for rice or arrowroot flour and substitute the soy sauce for tamari (gluten-free soy sauce).
- Can I make Gobi Manchurian the day before serving it? The cauliflower will get soggy, so we recommend making the sauce the day before and deep-frying the cauliflower the same day you want to enjoy this meal.
- How can I keep the cauliflower florets from sticking to each other while cooking? Make sure the oil is hot enough and do not overcrowd the pan.
- Can I use an air-fryer to prepare the crispy cauliflower florets? Yes. You may need to batch the cauliflower depending on the size of your air fryer but this recipe works well when air-frying the gobi florets.
Cauliflower Manchurian (Gobi Manchurian)
Ingredients
Crispy Cauliflower
- 1 medium sized cauliflower
- ½ cup all purpose flour rice or arrowroot flour for a gluten-free option
- ½ cup corn flour
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Water around ¾ cup
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Gobi Manchurian Sauce
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup spring onion
- 1 cup green pepper chopped
- 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek or chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce tamari for gluten-free option
- 2 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon corn flour
- 2 tablespoon water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Crispy Cauliflower
- Cut or break the cauliflower into medium-size florets.
- Combine the flour, corn flour, white pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix and slowly pour water while mixing the batter. Keep adding water until you have a thickish batter (around ½ cup).
- Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and using a spatula, toss the florets until they are properly coated.
- Add oil to a saucepan or a pan for deep frying and heat over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot enough, add the battered cauliflower in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan. When golden, transfer to a plate with a paper towel and set aside.
Manchurian Sauce
- Heat some oil over medium heat in a wok or a big frying pan and add the spring onion, chopped green pepper and chopped garlic.
- Stir for a few minutes and then add ketchup, soy sauce, Sambal Oelek, sugar, and white pepper.
- Add water, stir and cook for a few minutes.
- Dilute the corn flour in the water and add to the wok. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes and remove from the cooker.
- Add the deep-fried cauliflower florets into the sauce, mix well and serve.
Notes
- Serve with finely chopped fresh spring onions on the top.
- If you want something to cool down your mouth, you can add some plant-based yogurt on the side.
Nutrition
If you tried our recipe, please leave a comment or tag us on Instagram. We are always happy to see your creations!
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