Description
These crispy buffalo cauliflower bites are the perfect weeknight dinner or appetizer. With a crunchy exterior and tender interior, they offer a healthy, spicy twist on classic buffalo wings that is ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head of cauliflower (about 2–2.5 lbs / 1 kg)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ to 1 cup water (180-240ml)
- ½ cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce (120ml)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (45g), melted
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for sauce)
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing for serving
- Carrot and celery sticks for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash the cauliflower and pat it completely dry. Tear or cut into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform sizes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk in water gradually until a smooth, thick pancake-batter consistency is achieved.
- Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss until evenly coated.
- Place coated florets on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- While cauliflower bakes, melt butter and whisk in Frank’s RedHot sauce, white vinegar, and garlic powder to make the buffalo sauce.
- Remove cauliflower from oven and immediately toss in the buffalo sauce.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery/carrot sticks.
Notes
Do not crowd the pan to ensure crispiness. Pat cauliflower dry before battering. Use fresh baking powder for best results. Serve immediately as they soften over time. Can be made gluten-free by using 1:1 gluten-free flour and dairy-free by using vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, crispy cauliflower, weeknight dinner, healthy appetizer, vegetarian wings, spicy cauliflower, gluten-free option