Description
Buffalo cauliflower wings are a popular vegetarian and vegan-friendly alternative to the classic buffalo chicken wings. Instead of using chicken, fresh cauliflower florets are battered and baked to perfection, then coated with a zesty buffalo sauce. These wings provide a crispy, flavorful experience without the guilt of traditional deep-fried wings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cauliflower:
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the buffalo sauce:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
For serving:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Fresh chives or green onions, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C)
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Lightly grease the parchment paper
2. Prepare the Cauliflower
- Cut cauliflower into uniform florets (about 1-2 inches)
- Rinse and pat completely dry with paper towels
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth
- The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower
3. First Bake
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting excess drip off
- Place on prepared baking sheet, ensuring pieces don’t touch
- Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden
4. Make Buffalo Sauce
- While cauliflower bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat
- Whisk in hot sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, and cayenne
- Remove from heat and keep warm
5. Second Bake
- Remove cauliflower from oven
- Brush or toss each piece generously with buffalo sauce
- Return to oven for 20-25 minutes until crispy and golden brown
- Flip halfway through for even browning
6. Final Touch
- Remove from oven and immediately toss with remaining buffalo sauce
- Garnish with chopped chives or green onions
Notes
Pair your crispy buffalo cauliflower wings with cooling ranch or blue cheese dip and fresh celery sticks. Perfect as a game-day snack, party appetizer, or a spicy plant-based treat any time!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American