Roasted buffalo cauliflower wings are the ultimate party food. The florets are tossed in a light breading, baked, then coated in buffalo sauce for a flavorful kick. Pair with a creamy dip for the best combination!
Why this recipe works
Buffalo cauliflower is a flavorful, vegetarian spin on buffalo chicken wings – plus it’s healthier too! These golden baked florets have crispy crunchy edges surrounding a tender interior. Finally, toss them in a simple homemade buffalo sauce and you have one of the best game day or party appetizers to snack on.
Not big on sauce? Try our spicy roasted cauliflower instead where the spices and seasonings take precedence. Or simply serve the sauce on the side so you can dip and dunk to your liking.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CAULIFLOWER – Try to cut the florets into uniform pieces as well as you can, this way they will roast evenly in the oven.
FLOUR – This is what creates the breading around the cauliflower. Toss it with some water and a few dashes of seasonings (onion powder, garlic salt, pepper) for an extra kick of flavor.
CORNSTARCH – The cornstarch with help crisp up the cauliflower, don’t skip it!
HOT SAUCE – I recommend using Frank red hot sauce, after all, it is this classic hot sauce that’s combined with butter to create what we know as buffalo sauce. However, if you have a favorite hot sauce in mind, you can certainly use that instead.
How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 450 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut cauliflower into florets. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper. Whisk in the water.
- Using gloved hands, coat each floret in flour mixture. Place coated florets on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Buffalo sauce by combining hot sauce and butter in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high until butter has melted.
- Make a slurry from the cornstarch and 1/2 cup water. Pour the slurry into a saucepan and simmer until sauce begins to thicken.
- When cauliflower is done, remove from oven and dip each floret into the buffalo sauce, turning to coat well. Put sauced florets back on pan and bake 10 more minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Store leftover buffalo cauliflower in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or in a 350F oven until warmed through.
In simple terms, cauliflower wings are healthier compared to chicken wings. Cauliflower is packed with fiber and is low in fat. However, if it’s protein you are looking for, then chicken wings win on that front. These buffalo cauliflower wings are low in calories and are a great substitution for those looking for a healthier alternative to fried chicken wings. Do note that tossing them with flour will tack on extra calories – so they definitely aren’t the healthiest version of cauliflower you can have.
Yes, you can make these wings in the air fryer. Air fryer them in a single layer at 375F for 8-10 minutes, or until crisp, remove and toss with the hot sauce mixture, then return them to the basket to air fry for another 5-7 minutes. Do not overcrowd the basket, you may need to work in batches.
Beginning with the head of cauliflower right side up, cut it in half directly through the center. From each half, cut the cauliflower florets from the core, cutting at each individual stem.
Serving Suggestions
You’ll have some extra sauce after making the buffalo cauliflower, so keep it on hand for dipping! These spicy florets are also excellent with ranch or bleu cheese as well as celery and carrot sticks. Serve as an appetizer for football parties or enjoy alongside dinner.
More Appetizer Recipes
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Buffalo Cauliflower
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 head cauliflower medium-sized
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup hot sauce such as Frank's
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ cup water
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Try to cut the florets into uniform pieces as well as you can, this way they will roast evenly in the oven.
- I recommend using Frank red hot sauce, after all, it is this classic hot sauce that’s combined with butter to create what we know as buffalo sauce. However, if you have a favorite hot sauce in mind, you can certainly use that instead.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut cauliflower into florets. Set aside.To cut a head of cauliflower – Beginning with the head of cauliflower right side up, cut it in half directly through the center. From each half, cut the cauliflower florets from the core, cutting at each individual stem.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper. Whisk in the water.
- Using gloved hands, coat each floret in flour mixture. Place coated florets on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Buffalo sauce by combining hot sauce and butter in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high until butter has melted.
- Make a slurry from the cornstarch and 1/2 cup water. Pour slurry into saucepan and simmer until sauce begins to thicken.
- When cauliflower is done, remove from oven and dip each floret into the buffalo sauce, turning to coat well. Put sauced florets back on pan and bake 10 more minutes.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- You will have sauce leftover. You can use it for dipping!
- Store leftover buffalo cauliflower in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or in a 350F oven until warmed through.
- Air Fryer Method – Air fryer them in a single layer at 375F for 8-10 minutes, or until crisp, remove and toss with the hot sauce mixture, then return them to the basket to air fry for another 5-7 minutes. Do not overcrowd the basket, you may need to work in batches.
Nutrition
Chef Antoine Davis
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