🥡 Chinese · Snack · Medium difficulty · Vegan
Cauliflower Dumplings
A bold Chinese snack built around cauliflower, seasoned with dumpling wrappers and spring onions.
- Prep time
- 17 min
- Cook time
- 38 min
- Total time
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 302 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Course
- Snack
About this Chinese snack
Cauliflower Dumplings is a Chinese snack built around large cauliflower. It takes about 55 min from start to finish, 17 minutes of prep and 38 minutes of cooking, and serves 6.
Cooking method: snack. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegan.
Good for: light & low calorie, party & sharing, kid friendly.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 6 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
- 300 g dumpling wrappers
- 3 spring onions
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 cup napa cabbage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Prepare the cauliflower and season with salt.
- Heat
- Off, no heat yet
- Look for
- Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
- Why it matters
- Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
- Avoid
- Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.
Step 2. Mix the dumpling wrappers, spring onions and ginger in a bowl.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 3. Shape or assemble the cauliflower with the mixture.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 4. Cook until crisp and golden - fry, bake or griddle for about 23 minutes.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 5. Serve warm with napa cabbage.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Double the batch - they vanish quickly.
Equipment you will need
- Mixing bowl
- Pan or baking tray
- Paper towels
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 302 kcal, 11 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 14 g fat. Roughly 15% of the energy comes from protein, 43% from carbohydrate and 42% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Cauliflower Dumplings
Substitutions and variations
- Bake instead of frying for a lighter snack.
- Use wholegrain flour or oats for extra fibre.
- Store in an airtight container to keep the texture for a few days.
Frequently asked questions about Cauliflower Dumplings
How long does Cauliflower Dumplings take to make?
It takes about 55 min in total: 17 minutes of prep and 38 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 302 kcal, with 11 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 14 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 6 servings.
Is Cauliflower Dumplings gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegan. Check labels on stock and curry pastes, which can contain animal products.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.
Can I make Cauliflower Dumplings ahead or freeze it?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.