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Cauliflower Tacos from The Blissful Basil Cookbook | Well and Full

Cauliflower Tacos from The Blissful Basil Cookbook

Delicious, plant-based Cauliflower Tacos from The Blissful Basil Cookbook by Ashley Melillo. Reprinted with permission.
4.72 from 7 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 Tacos

Ingredients
  

Crispy Cauliflower

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric optional
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 3/4 cup brown rice flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 small or 1/2 large head cauliflower cut into bite-size florets

Tangy Slaw

  • 2 cups thinly sliced purple cabbage
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup or other liquid sweetener
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

Avocado Crema

  • 1 ripe avocado halved, pitted, and peeled
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro stemmed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

Tacos

  • 12 small soft corn tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro stemmed
  • 2 small limes cut into wedges

Instructions
 

For the Crispy Cauliflower

  • Preheat the oven to 400 ̊F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Add the rolled oats to a food processor. Pulse 75–80 times, or until a coarse meal forms. The texture should be similar to panko bread crumbs. Transfer to a large, shallow bowl, and whisk in the cilantro, chili powder, sea salt, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric (if using), and cayenne pepper.
  • In another large, shallow bowl, whisk together the almond milk, brown rice flour, and lime juice until smooth.
  • From left to right, line up the cauliflower florets, almond milk batter, oat crumbs, and baking tray. Place a handful of cauliflower florets into the almond milk batter, toss to coat, shake off excess batter, and transfer to the oat and spice mixture. Toss to coat and transfer to the lined baking tray. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until crisp and light golden, tossing halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

For the Tangy Slaw

  • While the cauliflower is baking, add the purple cabbage, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and sea salt to a medium nonreactive (i.e., nonmetallic) mixing bowl. Toss to coat and set aside, stirring occasionally.

For the Avocado Crema

  • Add the avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and sea salt to a food processor. Process for 3–4 minutes, or until smooth. The texture should resemble mayonnaise.

To Assemble

  • Heat the tortillas, one at a time, in a small skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side. Fill each with 3–4 pieces of the cauliflower, a small handful of cabbage slaw, and a dollop of crema.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges to spritz the tacos.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. The Avocado Crema is best when fresh.

Notes

I served my tacos with fresh limes and jalapeños for extra spice!