Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Introduction

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a flavorful, spicy alternative to traditional chicken wings. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they’re perfect as a snack or appetizer that everyone can enjoy—whether you’re a vegetarian or just looking to try something new.

The image shows a white plate with a stack of orange, crispy buffalo cauliflower bites in the center, each piece coated in a crunchy textured sauce. To the right side of the plate are several green celery sticks, fresh and crunchy looking. On the left side of the plate is a small clear glass bowl filled with a creamy white ranch dip sprinkled with green herbs. The plate is set on a wooden surface, and a blurry bowl with more buffalo cauliflower bites is visible in the background, creating depth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • Oil spray or a small amount of oil
  • 1/4 cup flour or almond meal
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tbsp milk of choice
  • Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce or hot sauce
  • 1–4 tsp butter or oil

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking dish with parchment paper. Lightly spray the cauliflower florets with oil or toss them with a small amount of oil to coat.
  2. Step 2: Place the florets in a large bowl or a large Ziploc bag. Add the flour and garlic powder, then toss or shake until the florets are evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: If using breadcrumbs for extra crunch, finely crush them and add to the bowl along with the milk. Toss again to coat the cauliflower well.
  4. Step 4: Arrange the coated cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking dish. Bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes.
  5. Step 5: While the cauliflower bakes, combine the buffalo sauce with the melted butter or oil to help the sauce stick better.
  6. Step 6: Remove the cauliflower from the oven and dip each floret into the buffalo sauce mixture, coating well. Return to the baking dish and bake for another 15 minutes.
  7. Step 7: For extra crispiness, broil the wings for up to 5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Tips & Variations

  • For a gluten-free option, use almond meal and gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit breadcrumbs entirely.
  • Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce and butter to match your preferred spice and richness level.
  • Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for an authentic wing experience.

Storage

Store leftover buffalo cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes to help them stay crispy, or warm gently in a skillet.

How to Serve

A turquoise plate holds a serving of bright orange crispy chicken pieces arranged on the right side, with fresh green celery sticks neatly lined up on the top left. In the center bottom of the plate is a small glass bowl filled with white dipping sauce sprinkled with green herbs. Two woman's hands are holding the plate on both sides. The plate is set on a wooden board, which is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these wings ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the coated cauliflower and bake it later. Keep the coated florets in the fridge for a few hours before baking, and add the sauce when ready to bake and serve.

What can I use instead of buffalo sauce?

If you prefer a milder or different flavor, you can use barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, or a mixture of hot sauce with honey for a sweet-heat balance.

Print

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

These Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a delicious, spicy, and crispy vegetarian alternative to traditional chicken wings. Made by coating cauliflower florets in a seasoned batter, baking until crispy, and then tossing in a flavorful buffalo sauce, they are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party dish. The recipe uses pantry staples and can be adapted with gluten-free or dairy-free options to suit various dietary preferences.

  • Author: Clara
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower and Coating

  • 1/2 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • Oil spray or 1-2 tbsp oil (for tossing and spraying)
  • 1/4 cup flour or almond meal
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tbsp milk of choice (dairy or plant-based)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

Buffalo Sauce

  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce or hot sauce
  • 14 tsp butter or oil (to help sauce adhere)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking dish or sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
  2. Coat Cauliflower: Spray the cauliflower florets lightly with oil spray or toss them lightly with a bit of oil to help the coating stick. Place the florets in a large bowl or a large Ziploc bag.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and garlic powder to the cauliflower and toss or shake well until each floret is evenly coated with the dry mixture.
  4. Add Milk and Breadcrumbs: Pour the milk of choice over the coated cauliflower. If you choose to use breadcrumbs for extra crunch, add finely crushed breadcrumbs now. Toss everything to coat evenly and create a light batter over the florets.
  5. Bake First Round: Arrange the coated cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack for 25 minutes until they begin to crisp up.
  6. Prepare Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower bakes, combine the buffalo sauce with melted butter or oil in a small bowl. This fat addition helps the sauce stick better to the cauliflower.
  7. Coat with Buffalo Sauce: Remove the cauliflower from the oven and dip each floret in the buffalo sauce mixture ensuring full coverage.
  8. Bake Second Round: Return the sauced cauliflower to the baking dish and bake an additional 15 minutes to set the sauce and deepen the flavors.
  9. Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispy edges, broil the cauliflower wings on high for up to 5 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a classic buffalo wing experience.

Notes

  • Use almond meal and a plant-based milk to make this recipe gluten-free and dairy-free.
  • Adjust the amount of butter or oil in the buffalo sauce according to dietary preferences or to control fat content.
  • Keep an eye during broiling as florets can burn quickly.
  • Serve with vegan ranch or blue cheese alternatives for a vegan-friendly snack.
  • This recipe can be made spicier by adding cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or using extra hot buffalo sauce.

Keywords: Buffalo cauliflower wings, vegetarian buffalo wings, spicy cauliflower bites, baked buffalo cauliflower, healthy appetizers

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