Crispy Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Creating the perfect Fiery Crunchy Cauliflower Bites requires a careful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in flavor, texture, and nutrition. Let’s delve into the key components of this recipe and their accompanying benefits.

Explore the world of plant-based snacks with Fiery Crunchy Cauliflower Bites, a delicious alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike, these bites boast a spicy batter and crispy panko coating that deliver on flavor and crunch. Packed with nutrients from cauliflower and easily customizable with your favorite hot sauce, they're ideal for game day or any gathering. Dive into this simple recipe and enjoy a healthy, satisfying snack that everyone will love!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

1 cup water or non-dairy milk

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)

1 cup hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter or vegan butter

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Celery sticks (for serving)

Blue cheese or ranch dressing (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.

Prepare the Cauliflower: In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets in cold water and set aside for about 10 minutes. This helps to crisp them up later.

Make the Batter: In another bowl, whisk together flour, water (or non-dairy milk), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower florets.

Coat the Cauliflower: Drain the water from the cauliflower and add the florets to the batter, ensuring they are well coated. Let excess batter drip off.

Breadcrumb Coating: In a large shallow dish, place the breadcrumbs. Take the batter-coated florets one by one and roll them in the breadcrumbs until well coated. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the Cauliflower: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Flip the florets halfway through for an even crunch.

Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower is baking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the hot sauce and stir until well combined. Remove from heat.

Toss in Sauce: Once the cauliflower is crispy, remove it from the oven and drizzle the buffalo sauce over the wings. Gently toss to coat all the pieces.

Final Bake: Return the sauced cauliflower wings to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes to let the sauce set and the wings become even crispier.

Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, then transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with celery sticks and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 minutes | 45 minutes | 4 servings