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Bang Bang Cauliflower Kale Salad

This bang bang cauliflower salad is filled with crispy cauliflower and classic, creamy bang bang sauce. So good, refreshing and crisp!
5 from 9 votes
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Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup seasoned fine breadcrumbs
  • olive oil, or another oil spray
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fresh chopped chives

kale salad

  • 1 large bunch of kale, leaves removed from stems and chopped
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lime, freshly juiced
  • kosher salt and pepper
  • cup shaved parmesan
  • ¼ cup pickled onions, or sliced red onion

Instructions 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. I like to have a wire rack sitting near to place the breaded cauliflower before it’s all ready to go.
  • Cut the cauliflower into florets. In one large bowl (or plate), lightly beat the eggs. In another bowl or plate, combine the panko and fine breadcrumbs. Dip each piece of cauliflower in the the egg, then coat in the breadcrumbs. Place it on the wire rack until you have enough finished to do a batch in the air fryer. I found that for one head of cauliflower, I had to do two batches.
  • Once the cauliflower is breaded, place it in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray it with the olive oil spray. This helps it brown and get crispy.
  • Set the air fryer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the cauliflower with kitchen tongs and place them on a plate. Repeat with another batch of cauliflower if needed.
  • As a note, when the cauliflower is air frying, I like to make the salad. To make the kale salad, place the kale in a bowl. Drizzle on the olive oil and using your (clean!) hands, massage the kale for a few minutes, until all the leaves are coated. This breaks down both the toughness and bitterness. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  • To make the bang bang sauce, whisk together the mayo, sweet chili sauce and chili garlic sauce. Sprinkle in the chives.
  • Once all of the cauliflower is done, drizzle it with the bang bang sauce and toss.
  • Squeeze the lime juice on the kale salad and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss with the shaved parmesan and pickled onions. Top with the bang bang cauliflower and serve!
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