Kinda’ spicy, ultra crispy, and oh-so-delicious, these Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are always a hit at any Super Bowl or game day party! Florets are tossed in a simple batter of flour, water and seasonings, baked in the oven until crispy, and then coated in a homemade buffalo sauce. They’re the best plant-based alternative to classic chicken wings that vegans and non-vegans will gobble up!
Easy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe
Everyone is always shocked at how INCREDIBLE these Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are.
After all, there’s NO meat and they’re completely vegan!
But thanks to a few special tricks you can get an ultra crispy exterior very similar to chicken wings…
And a TON of flavor thanks to a homemade buffalo wing sauce.
You’ll definitely want to double the batch because both meat and non-meat eaters alike will devour this perfect appetizer!
Cook more game day favorites with these Super Bowl Recipes!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Cauliflower. Find a pretty large head of cauliflower. Make sure you have AT LEAST 5 cups, but closer to 6 cups of cauliflower florets is best. Cut the florets into similar sizes so they cook up evenly.
- Flour. Regular all purpose flour or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend will both work. You can also use ¼ cup almond flour, ¼ cup tapioca flour, and 2 tablespoons of coconut flour for a Paleo flour blend in place of the regular flour.
- Water. This will create the base for the batter. Any water you have at home will do.
- Seasonings. A simple mix of garlic powder and salt add the perfect flavor.
- Buffalo wing sauce. Make your own homemade sauce or pick out a store-bought variety. Make sure to get the WING sauce and not the hot sauce or it will be WAY too spicy.
How to Make Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.
1. Prepare the Cauliflower
Cut the head of cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Err on the side of a little larger versus smaller so they stay crispy.
Learn how to cut cauliflower.
2. Coat Cauliflower in Batter
Combine the water, flour, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl. A whisk is the best tool to ensure everything is mixed evenly.
Toss the prepared cauliflower in the batter until each piece is completely coated. Discard any excess batter.
3. Bake in the Oven
Arrange the coated cauliflower in a single, even layer on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Make sure none of the pieces are touching or they will not crisp up properly.
Cook in a preheated 450°F oven for 20 minutes.
4. Mix the Sauce
Choose a hot sauce to use. The best options are Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce, Crystal Hot Sauce, or Sriracha Sauce.
Whisk together the hot sauce with two tablespoons of melted butter (or vegan “butter” sticks), garlic powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
5. Toss and Crisp
Carefully remove the partially baked cauliflower from the oven and mix with the spicy buffalo sauce.
Return to the baking sheet and continue cooking for 10 minutes, or until they are crispy. For even crispier results, you can finish them on a wire rack.
6. Serve
Much like traditional buffalo wings, these healthy buffalo cauliflower bites can be served with celery sticks and a dipping sauce, like ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing. Since the buffalo cauliflower bites are on the spicy side, the ranch and blue cheese dressings help to tone down the spice level.
Your guests can either use a serving spoon to put them on their appetizer plate or you can lay out some cute bamboo party forks.
FAQs
Over-crowding the baking sheet, using too much sauce, or baking at too low of a temperature can all contribute to soggy cauliflower wings. For best results, make sure the florets are not touching, the oven is preheated, and bake on a parchment paper-lined sheet or a wire rack.
Cauliflower is not only lower in saturated fat and contains zero cholesterol, it also packs in a ton of healthy nutrients, thus making it a healthier alternative to chicken wings.
Each serving of this recipe has 10 grams of carbohydrates, but 7 grams of net carbs per serving.
More Game Day Appetizer Recipes
When the big game rolls around, you’ll want some killer appetizer recipes at the ready. Round out your platter with these favorites.
- Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
- Thai Baked Chicken Wings
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
- Pigs in a Blanket
Other Plant-Based Super Bowl Snacks
If you like this cauliflower buffalo wings recipe for your Super Bowl or football party, these crowd-pleasing game day snacks are also worth a try.
- Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Texas Caviar
- Easy Homemade Guacamole
- Avocado Fries
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Ranch Pretzels
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Best Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
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Ingredients
Battered Cauliflower
- ¾ cup water
- ¾ cup flour all purpose or gluten-free
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. salt to taste
- 1 large head cauliflower cut into florets, about 6 cups
Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup Frank’s hot sauce
- 2 Tbsp. butter melted
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Batter Cauliflower: In a large bowl whisk together water, flour, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add cauliflower florets and toss until well coated.¾ cup water, ¾ cup flour, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. salt, 1 large head cauliflower
- Bake in Oven: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread cauliflower out in a single layer. (Make sure none of them are touching or else they won't crisp up!) Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, or until batter becomes crispy.
- Mix Buffalo Sauce: While cauliflower is baking combine hot sauce, melted butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon salt in another large bowl. Whisk until well combined.½ cup Frank’s hot sauce, 2 Tbsp. butter, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. salt
- Toss and Bake: Add baked cauliflower to the bowl with buffalo sauce and toss to combine. Return cauliflower back to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. (If cauliflower is on the soggier side, keep baking and checking in 5 minute intervals.)
- Serve buffalo cauliflower bites immediately with homemade ranch dressing, vegan if needed, and celery sticks. Enjoy!
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Video
Notes
- Frank’s hot sauce, Crystal hot sauce, and Sriracha sauce all work in this recipe.
- Can use vegan “butter” sticks if vegan or dairy-free.
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- Cut big. Shoot for slightly larger florets to get the perfect cauliflower-to-coating ratio.
- Mix well. Using a whisk to mix both the batter and the sauce ensures all of the ingredients are evenly dispersed.
- Pick a favorite. Choose a spicy sauce you love the flavor of since it makes up the majority of the taste.
- Elevate the florets. Bake the cauliflower on a wire rack so the hot air can completely surround all sides for the crispiest results.
- Save time. Prepare the cauliflower, mix the dry batter ingredients, and make the sauce in advance.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very,very,good delicious
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Loretta! Thanks for the comment!
Thank you – these were great. The crisp crust was a nice addition. My kids enjoyed them without buffalo sauce and my husband and I liked them with sauce. We’ll definitely make them again.
So happy you and the family enjoyed them, Jessica! Thank you for your comment and rating 🙂
This is the easiest, healthiest cauliflower “wing” recipe I have tried. Great flavor without any weird ingredients. Thank you!!
Yay, Carrie!! So excited to hear that you enjoyed the cauliflower “wings”. Thanks so much for your comment and rating!!
Hi London!
I just made these and wish they came out a little bit more crunchy on the outside. Should I add more batter next time? Bake longer before adding buffalo sauce? Let me know 🙂
Hi Sophia! A few things you can try: 1) Use a little more cauliflower. I used a very large head of cauliflower so there is not too much batter to make it soggy. 2) Bake it for a little longer. When I reheated mine I thought they would be scorched because I kind of forgot about them… but they came out super crispy! Hope this helps and thanks for the question!
Love this healthier twist! I’m always looking for more cauliflower recipes.
Yay, Celeste! So happy you find it interesting. Thanks for the comment and rating 🙂
This is a fantastic recipe!! Great flavor and texture for a gluten-free batter.
So so happy you enjoyed it, Carrie! Thanks so much for your comment and rating 🙂
Hey … I’m using a crockpot … I’ve been told it’s not ok to use coconut milk in it as it splits … Is this trues ??? If so are they’re ANY alternatives I can use ???
All& any advice really appreciated .
Thanks
Jojo
Hi Jojo! What recipe specifically were you asking this question for? Normally coconut milk will be fine, but if you are concerned you can always just add half of it before cooking and then add the remainder at the end! A good stir normally works just fine 🙂
This has my mouth watering! This family LOVES cauliflower and Frank’s Red Hot – what’s not to like?!?! I may give this a try for our own football gathering!
Yay!! So excited to hear what you think. Thanks for the comment, Jules! 🙂
Wow this looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you for the great recipe!
Have a great day.
Priyanka
You’re so welcome, Priyanka! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂