Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites – A spicy, healthy, vegetarian, delicious alternative to chicken wings, these cauliflower buffalo wings have been pinned over 600K times because they’re that good!
Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
I expected to like this buffalo cauliflower, but I didn’t fully expect it to be as good as it was.
I didn’t even think I liked cooked cauliflower, but I really liked this. I ate it, with nothing else, for dinner. They were that good.
Before I cut out most meat, I used to like boneless chicken wings and wanted to find a vegetarian alternative.
These cauliflower buffalo wings don’t taste like chicken, but the spicy buffalo flavor and crispy texture were pretty close to boneless wings.
What is Buffalo Cauliflower?
Buffalo cauliflower is a vegetarian alternative to chicken wings, made out of cauliflower. You get the same spicy flavor without the meat.
Why you’ll love this buffalo cauliflower bites recipe
Healthy option – This baked cauliflower is a great way to get the same flavors as hot wings in a healthier option.
Perfect appetizer – The next time you’re craving spicy buffalo sauce on game day or just with dinner, try this alternative to traditional buffalo wings.
Simple ingredients – You only need seven everyday ingredients that you likely have in your cupboard. Just grab a head of cauliflower.
Equipment you’ll need
- Mixing Bowls – You’ll need a large mixing bowl for the batter and a smaller one for the sauce.
- Baking Sheets – A large rimmed baking sheet so the cauliflower florets don’t roll off the pan.
- Whisk – For making the batter & the sauce.
- Pastry Brush – I feel like silicone pastry brushes are so much easier to clean than traditional brushes.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Cauliflower – One head of cauliflower. Now, sizes vary, so you may need to alter your batter to make more if you have a giant head.
- Flour – I’ve only tested this with all purpose white flour, but a reader said it worked well with almond flour too.
- Hot Sauce – I use Frank’s Wing Sauce or Frank’s Hot Sauce, but use your favorite in the batter. To make the sauce, I recommend Frank’s Wing Sauce.
- Garlic Salt – Garlic powder can be used if you’re watching salt content.
- Dried Onion – Onion powder will also work.
- Butter – I use melted butter for the sauce but if you a vegan option, melted coconut oil will work as well.
- Salt
How to make Buffalo Cauliflower
- STEP ONE: First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, spray with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside. Wash the cauliflower and cut it into bite size pieces, somewhat similar in size. Pat it dry, if necessary.
- STEP TWO: Next, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, water, hot sauce, garlic salt, and dried onion.
- STEP THREE: Then, dip each piece of cauliflower into the batter (use tongs to keep your fingers clean!) to fully coat it, let the excess drip off, then lay it onto the baking sheet you prepared. Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F until batter hardens.
- STEP FOUR: While it’s baking, make the sauce by whisking together the wing sauce, melted butter, and pinch of salt in a small bowl. Once the 15 minutes are up, brush the cauliflower with the sauce, making sure you evenly coat each piece, then put them back in the oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp up.
Let cool slightly and then enjoy!
What to serve with them
Serve the cauliflower buffalo bites with your favorite dipping sauce like homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing and carrot and celery sticks .
I like to serve them alongside other finger foods like baked green bean fries, potato wedges, and loaded zucchini skins.
Tips & Suggestions
- Heads of cauliflower vary in size. I’ve seen some HUGE cauliflowers. I would say I used a medium size head for this recipe. Easily double the batter, if necessary.
- I like to use Frank’s WING sauce and not regular hot sauce. Others have reported success with various other barbecue sauces.
How to store leftovers
We never really have leftovers but if you do, store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
How long will buffalo cauliflower last in the fridge?
Up to 5 days when covered in the fridge.
How to reheat it
For best results, I recommend warming leftovers in the air fryer for 5 minutes to crisp it back up.
FAQs
Can you use frozen cauliflower to make buffalo cauliflower?
I have not tried to use frozen cauliflower in this recipe. I have a feeling it might end up mushy. I recommend sticking with fresh cauliflower.
How to make buffalo cauliflower crispy
If you follow the recipe, you’ll see that you bake the cauliflower with the batter on it, then add the sauce and put it back in the oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp it up. I’ve had very good results with this method every time.
Several readers have put them in the broiler for 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
Air Fryer Instructions
Prepare the cauliflower and batter as directed.
Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray and lay the battered cauliflower florets into a single layer (work in batches, if necessary).
Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, brush on the sauce, and then bake another 2-5 minutes or until crisp.
Need more cauliflower recipes? Try these:
Loaded Potato & Cauliflower Soup
Need more spicy buffalo recipes? Try these:
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Click here for my entire collection of appetizer recipes.
Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower
For the batter
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup water
- 1 dash Frank's Wing Sauce or Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt or garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried onion or onion powder
For the buffalo sauce
- ¼ cup Frank’s Wing Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter melted
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and spray with non-stick spray (olive oil spray) and set aside.
- Wash the head of cauliflower and cut into similar sized pieces. Pat dry, if necessary
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, water, wing sauce, garlic salt, and dried onion. It will be fairly thick.
- Use tongs to dip each piece of cauliflower into the batter until fully and evenly coated. Let excess batter drip off. Place onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes until the batter just hardens.
- While it's baking, In a small bowl, mix together the buffalo sauce ingredients.
- Once the cauliflower is done baking, remove from the oven and brush with the buffalo sauce. Again, fully and evenly coat each piece.
- Put back into the oven and bake for a 5-7 minutes, until the sauce has hardened and the cauliflower is crisp.
- Remove from the oven, let cool, then enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Heads of cauliflower vary in size. I’ve seen some HUGE cauliflowers. I would say I used a medium size head for this recipe. Make more batter, if necessary.
- I like to use Frank’s WING sauce and not regular hot sauce. Others have reported success with various other barbecue sauces.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.
Originally published April 11, 2013
The Recie turned out great. I did broil at the end. Since bars arent opened , I made these-
Perfect!
I made these gluten free using King Arthur gluten free flour blend, and Mykonos vegan butter. It turned out really good, and I will definitely make them again.
Love hearing those subs – thank you for reporting back, it’s helpful to others!
So delicious for when you are cutting meat or just want to mix it up a bit.
Thanks, Charlie! I agree 🙂
Absolutely delicious and super easy!
I’m so glad you liked it! (& reminded me to take new pics of this one lol)
I love this take on cauliflower
Thanks, Bob!