Baja-Style Crispy Cauliflower Tacos

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

Updated

These Baja-style cauliflower tacos allow you to enjoy these Mexican flavors without eating meat. They are crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor.
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These crispy cauliflower tacos are crispy and full of punchy Baja flavor!

Traditional Baja tacos feature tempura battered white fish or shrimp but that’s not vegetarian-friendly.

So, in this recipe, we substituted the fish with cauliflower but used the same crispy batter and delicious toppings to emulate the original dish.

These crispy cauliflower tacos are crispy and full of punchy Baja flavor

The crunchy cauliflower is wrapped in a soft tortilla and topped with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and a tangy Baja sauce.

The flavors are vibrant and will definitely have you coming back for more. These are the ideal tacos to serve as a vegetarian option at a taco night with your friends.

the ideal tacos to serve as a vegetarian option

Why you will love this Cauliflower Tacos recipe…

  • Delicious vegetarian option- It tastes just as good as the original.
  • Proves how great veggies can be– Not every meal needs meat to be tasty!
  • Great for entertaining- Invite your friends over for an inclusive taco night!
  • Baja style- Shows off the Baja cooking style without the need for fish.
  • Crunchy texture- The sparkling water in the batter and frying them to perfection will give you a decadent, crunchy result.
  • Easy weeknight dish- You can whip up this dish in just 20 minutes.
Why you will love this Cauliflower Tacos recipe

Baja-Style Crispy Cauliflower Tacos

These Baja-style cauliflower tacos allow you to enjoy these Mexican flavors without eating meat. They are crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 543 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Cauliflower:

  • 1 medium cauliflower head, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cold sparkling water
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Oil for frying

For the Baja Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (like Cholula or Tapatío)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt

For the Tacos:

  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
  • 2 cups shredded red cabbage
  • ½ cup pico de gallo (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Gradually add the sparkling water, whisking until smooth. The batter should be slightly thick but pourable.
  • Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting the excess drip off.
  • Heat the oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat ( 350°F). Fry the cauliflower in batches, flipping occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 3–4 minutes. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, hot sauce, garlic powder, and salt. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • To each tortilla, add a handful of shredded cabbage, a few crispy cauliflower florets, and a drizzle of Baja sauce. Top with pico de gallo and diced avocado. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

Nutrition

Calories 543kcal (27%)Carbohydrates 60g (20%)Protein 9g (18%)Fat 31g (48%)Saturated Fat 5g (31%)Polyunsaturated Fat 14gMonounsaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0.1gCholesterol 15mg (5%)Sodium 738mg (32%)Potassium 530mg (15%)Fiber 9g (38%)Sugar 6g (7%)Vitamin A 887IU (18%)Vitamin C 36mg (44%)Calcium 84mg (8%)Iron 3mg (17%)
Keyword Cauliflower Tacos
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cauliflower tacos with your favorite corn or flour tortillas or try your hand at making some yourself. 

For a refreshing twist, pair them with a Pomegranate & Rosewater Champagne Cocktail to complement the savory flavors and add a festive touch to your meal.

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Keep the oil temperature steady. 350°F is the ideal temperature to get the cauliflower crispy but not oil-logged.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in small batches to speed up the cooking process and allow the cauliflower to brown evenly.
  • Add some heat. Add pickled jalapeños if you want a little more heat.
  • Always use sparkling water. The bubbles make the batter light and crispy.
Serve these cauliflower tacos with your favorite

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- These tacos are best enjoyed fresh as the batter will lose its crisp texture when stored. However, you can store leftover fried cauliflower in the fridge for up to 2 days. 
  • To reheat- The best way to retain the cauliflower’s crispiness is to reheat in the oven at 350°F or air fryer.

Cauliflower Tacos FAQs

What makes something Baja?

Baja food was created in Tijuana and is traditionally based around food that comes from the sea. Baja tacos usually feature battered shrimp or white fish, shredded cabbage and a creamy Baja sauce.

Is cauliflower a good meat substitute?

Yes, cauliflower is often used as a substitute for meat because it has a juicy, meaty texture when cooked correctly.

Is cauliflower a protein substitute?

Cauliflower is high in protein when considering how low it is in calories. A 100g serving of cauliflower contains 1.9g of protein.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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