If you are craving a healthy, lip-smacking snack like chili gobi and AF cauliflower 65, try this lasuni gobi recipe instead!
Crispy gobi florets can steal the limelight in any social setting, and that's what you get when you try this simple recipe!
Lasuni gobi translates as garlic cauliflower. As the name goes, the dish is prepared with loads of garlic, adding flavor to the cauliflower.
The air-fried version is healthier than traditional deep-fried cauliflower Manchurian, and this recipe uses little oil, making it a perfect vegan snack.
Do it like I have explained here, and you will be hooked!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- It is an easy and quick vegan snack you can make in 30 minutes.
- There's no deep frying involved. So it's a healthier version of the traditional dish.
- This is a crispy batter-coated cauliflower tossed in a sweet, tangy, garlicky sauce with a hint of red pepper.
- You only need basic ingredients like small florets of cauliflower, garlic, tomato ketchup, and spices to make this delicious dish.
- You can customize it according to your taste - spicy or not.
- It makes a great appetizer, snack, or side dish for parties and get-togethers.
Lasuni gobi Vs gobi manchurian
Undoubtedly, Lasuni gobi and Gobi Manchurian are two of the most popular Indian snacks. It's important to note that while they share some similarities, they are slightly different.
Lasuni gobi is primarily flavored with garlic, while Gobi Manchurian features soy sauce as its main flavoring agent.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower- I used half of the large head of cauliflower
- Garlic cloves
- Tomato ketchup
- Rice flour
- Corn starch
- Red pepper flakes or red chilli powder
See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
Mix rice flour, cornstarch, pinch of salt, and black pepper with enough water to make a thick paste in a bowl.
Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets and add them to the bowl. Toss the mixture so the cauliflower florets are lightly coated with the batter.
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and add the cauliflower florets. Air fry them for 15 minutes at 420 F. (Shake them halfway for even crisp)
Continue until all the cauliflower florets are well done. (Repeat until you finish your cauliflower)
Heat oil in a large pan for the sauce. Add chopped garlic and whole cumin seeds and cook until fragrant and the garlic is golden.
Add scallion whites and cook for another minute. Add red chili powder, red pepper flakes, and turmeric powder. Mix well.
Add tomato ketchup and water and mix the sauce.
Add salt to taste. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Turn off the heat. Toss in the air-fried cauliflower and stir well. This will absorb the sauce pretty quickly.
Garnish with scallion greens and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the best taste.
Substitute
Cauliflower: Instead of cauliflower, use broccoli or make half and have with both.
Tomato Ketchup: If you don't want to use ketchup, add two tablespoons of tomato paste or ½ cup of sauce and three tablespoons of sugar.
Red Pepper Flakes: If you don't like spicy food, leave red pepper flakes out or use ½ teaspoon paprika or ¼ teaspoon of coriander powder instead of red pepper flakes.
Top tips
- A batter consisting of an equal amount of cornstarch and rice flour should be used to achieve a perfectly crispy coating.
- It is important to make sure that the batter is thick.
- For the best-tasting Lasuni gobi, serve it immediately after cooking.
- For the best texture, cook the florets in batches to avoid overcrowding in the air fryer basket.
- If you want more sauciness add a few tablespoons of water while simmering.
- Sprinkle a teaspoon of lemon juice if the dish is too spicy for your taste.
Serving options
Lasuni gobi goes really well with a variety of dishes. Serve it with rice or noodles as an entree, use it as a side dish for chapati or paratha, or enjoy it as an appetizer.
You can pair this snack with roasted potatoes, stir-fried veggies, vegan tikka masala, and more! No matter how you serve it, lasuni gobi will surely delight your taste buds.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly and gluten-free as well.
Yes, you can fry the cauliflower florets in hot oil until they are golden brown before adding them to the garlic tomato sauce.
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📖 Recipe
Lasuni Gobi (Air Fried Garlic Cauliflower)
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
Air fryer cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower - small
- ¾ cup rice flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- salt to taste
Lasuni gobi sauce
- 8 scallions - chopped
- 8 garlic cloves - chopped
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ¾ cup tomato ketchup
- ¼ turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds - roasted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Mix rice flour, pepper, and cornstarch with enough water to make a thick paste in a small bowl. (add water little by little to form a thick batter consistency)¾ cup rice flour, ⅓ cup cornstarch, ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets and add them to the bowl. Toss the mixture so the cauliflower florets are lightly coated with the batter.1 head cauliflower
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper add the cauliflower florets and spray oil. Air fry them for 15 minutes at 420 F. Shake them in halfway.
- Continue until all the cauliflower florets are well done. Repeat for 3 -4 batches.
- Heat oil in a large pan for the sauce. Add chopped garlic and whole cumin seeds and cook until fragrant and garlic is golden. Then add scallion whites and cook for another minute.8 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 8 scallions
- Add red chili powder, red pepper flakes, and turmeric powder. Mix well.½ teaspoon red chili flakes, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ¼ turmeric powder
- Add tomato ketchup and water and mix the sauce. Add salt to taste. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.salt to taste, ¾ cup tomato ketchup, ½ cup water
- Turn off the heat. Toss in the air-fried cauliflower and stir well. This will absorb the sauce pretty quickly.
- Garnish with scallion greens and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the best taste.½ teaspoon sesame seeds
Notes
- A batter consisting of an equal amount of cornstarch and rice flour should be used to achieve a perfectly crispy coating.
- It is important to make sure that the batter is thick.
- For the best-tasting Lasuni gobi, serve it immediately after cooking.
- For the best texture, cook the florets in batches to avoid overcrowding in the air fryer basket.
- If you want more sauciness, add a few tablespoons of water while simmering.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Experience the best results with this recipe in the Cosori Air Fryer. Please note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer.
A Singh says
Hi Uma,
I tried this recipe and it came out very well. Thank you. I was wondering that in the ingredients list it says 3/4 cup rice flour and 1/3 cornstarch (which I used), but in the notes, it suggests to use equal portions of both. Which one should be used.
Uma Raghupathi says
Hi, Thank you for the feedback! Actually you can do both ways. That's what I meant to say.
Jamie says
I’m such a picky eater but this one made me want to eat more! Love this! Very delicious!
Ann says
I love using cauliflower as a side dish, but tend to rush out of recipe options. This recipe sounds super delicious!
Amy Liu Dong says
Looks like an easy recipe to make, and I am pretty sure that it has a flavorful taste that everyone will love!
Gwynn Galvin says
I love cooking with my air fryer and this recipe is going on repeat. It was so delicious and so easy to make too!
Cathleen says
I love that this recipe is made in the air fryer! I am so excited to give it a go this weekend, thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂