Sweet & Spicy Crunchy Broccoli Tacos

Introducing you to my family’s new favorite tacos- Sweet & Spicy Crunchy Broccoli Tacos! These are just the perfect combination of spicy and sweet and the crunch taking it to the next level. These are Vegan and so easy to make which is the best part. I air-fry the broccolis for the crunch which makes it healthier but you can bake or deep fry it. The sauce the broccolis are coated in is so flavorful you will make these tacos not just for taco Tuesday! You can make these tacos with a variety of vegetables with this sauce, check notes for inspiration. You gotta try these tacos and see for yourself!!

Happy Cooking!

Servings: 4-6 tacos street-style tacos 

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cooking Time: 15-20 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium head Broccoli or about 8-10 oz florets

• About 1/3-1/2 cup milk to coat

• 1/2 tsp Vinegar

• About 1/3 cup flour to coat

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• 1/4 tsp Pepper

• About 1/2 cup Bread crumbs

• 3.5 tbsp Hot sauce of your choice

• 1 tsp Onion powder

• 2 tsp Soy sauce

• 4 tbsp Ketchup

• 3 tsp orange juice

• 3 tbsp Brown sugar; if you like less sweet add 2 tbsp

• 1 tbsp Garlic powder

• 1 tsp chili flakes

• About 1/4 tsp-1/2 tsp Salt to taste

• About 1/2 cup water

Assemble as you like:

• 4-6 taco depending on size

• Lime wedges

• Cojita cheese

• Mexican cheese

• Shredded lettuce/cabbage

• Coriander leaves

• Salsa

• Guacamole

• Sour cream

Directions: 

1. Cut broccoli head in florets size that will fit well in the taco.

2. Mix flour with panko, salt, and pepper. Keep aside.

3. Mix milk with vinegar. Keep aside.

4. Dip the broccoli floret in milk and then coat with the panko flour mixture. Repeat the coatings for each floret to make sure it is coated well and will help it be crispy.

5. Bake/Air fry/Deep fry it. Check notes.

6. While the broccoli cooks make the sauce. In a pan add sauces- hot sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, and orange juice and mix. Add the spices- Onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and chili flakes and mix.

7. Add about 1/4 cup of water to the mixture and cook it all together until it thickens. Make sure the sugar melts and keep stirring it in-between. It will take about 5 mins. The way to check it’s done- pass a spatula or spoon through the sauce and it shouldn’t join back immediately (see video).

8. Let the sauce cool slightly and add it to the cooked broccoli. Toss the broccoli in the sauce and coat it well.

9. Assemble in the warmed tacos with your favorite toppings- My favorite with these tacos are- cojita cheese, shredded purple cabbage, lime juice, salsa, and coriander.

Notes/Tips:

• Cooking Broccoli- Make sure it is well coated and crispy to give that crisp bite

  • Air-fry- Cook in a preheated air fryer at 380F for 8-10 mins, flipping it mid-way. Spray/brush some oil on both sides to get a lovely color and helps with the crispiness.

  • Bake- Cook in a preheated oven at 390F for 8-10 mins, flipping it mid-way. Spray/brush some oil on both sides to get a lovely color and helps with the crispiness.

  • Deep fry- Deep fry till well brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel to soak the oil.

• You can make the sauce and keep it from before. Add some water and reheat to toss the broccoli in.

• Make sure the broccoli is well coated in the sauce.

• You can also use Barbeque sauce instead of hot sauce. Reduce the ketchup by about half as per taste.

• Make the broccoli before serving so that it is crispy while serving.

• You can use cauliflower, tofu, paneer, instead of broccoli if you like.