Description
These Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a delicious, crispy, and flavorful vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Coated in a spicy buffalo sauce and baked to perfection, they make a perfect appetizer or snack served with cooling ranch or blue cheese dip and celery sticks.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
- 1/3 cup water
Main Ingredient
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (or hot sauce)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Serving
- Ranch or blue cheese sauce, for dipping
- Celery sticks, on the side
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Sheet Pan: Place a sheet pan in the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F, leaving the sheet pan inside to heat up. This hot pan will help make the cauliflower extra crispy once baked.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a measuring jug, combine the milk and water, then slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients while whisking until you achieve a smooth batter. Adjust the batter consistency by adding a little more milk or water if too thick, or more flour if too thin.
- Coat Cauliflower Florets: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and gently toss to coat each floret evenly with the batter.
- Prepare for Baking: Carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven using oven gloves and place it on a heatproof surface. Spread the coated cauliflower florets evenly across the hot pan.
- Initial Bake: Bake the cauliflower in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the batter turns golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower bakes, mix buffalo sauce, melted butter, honey, and white vinegar in a bowl until smooth and combined.
- Coat with Sauce: Take the cauliflower out of the oven and brush the buffalo sauce evenly over all pieces.
- Final Bake: Return the coated cauliflower to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until browned and sticky.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a classic pairing.
Notes
- For a vegan option, use plant-based milk, coconut oil instead of butter, and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Adjust the heat level by modifying the amount or type of hot sauce used in the buffalo sauce.
- Ensure the batter is not too thick to coat the cauliflower evenly, adding liquid as needed for smooth coverage.
- Placing the sheet pan in the oven while preheating is key to achieving a crispy texture on the cauliflower.
- Serving with celery and a cooling dip balances the spicy flavor of the buffalo sauce.
