These Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites make for a tasty appetizer or a super fun weeknight dinner. Fresh cauliflower florets are battered, baked, and dipped in a spicy buffalo sauce - then cooked to crispy perfection.
I love buffalo flavored anything! That tangy, spicy, little bit of sweet sauce is just totally addictive. So the ideas of buffalo cauliflower "wings" has always been intriguing to me!
Now I don't know if would call these "wings", but they sure do make delicious finger foods! And they're super easy to make in just a few steps.
This buffalo cauliflower makes a delicious appetizer for casual get togethers - and they are especially perfect for tailgate party menus!
These Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are....
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Baked, not fried
- Crispy
- Easy to prepare
- A great party appetizer.
- Or a tasty, family-friendly dinner idea.
While you're here, be sure to grab our FREE 5-Day Meatless Meal Plan. It's packed with tasty recipes to make vegetarian cooking easy and delicious!
How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower
- Mix flour, almond milk, and seasonings to form a batter.
- Stir in the cauliflower, coating all sides.
- Spread cauliflower on baking pan and bake until crispy.
- Mix hot sauce, oil, and syrup in a bowl. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce.
- Return cauliflower to pan and bake a few more minutes to create a glaze.
The full directions for how to make Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are in the printable recipe card below.
Tips & Tricks
Prep Pan For Baking
I recommend using a silicone baking mat, aluminum foil, or parchment to line your baking sheet. Any of these options will give you a no fuss cleanup. You can just toss out the foil when you're done. But of course, the baking mats are reusable and a little more eco-friendly.
Adjust the Spice Factor
You can make these baked cauliflower bites as spicy or mild as you want. Just choose a more mild or spicy hot sauce to work with, and remember that the maple syrup tames down the spice level as well!
Keep Pieces Same Size
Try to cut your cauliflower florets into evenly sized pieces, so they cook evenly. Granted, they won't all be exactly the same size, but keeping the pieces relatively similar in size will keep smaller pieces from burning while larger pieces are still uncooked.
Variations
Wing Sauce
I made these cauliflower bites with Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce. It's one of my personal faves! And it happens to be vegan friendly too. But you can use any hot sauce or buffalo sauce that you prefer. Try a flavored variety like this black truffle buffalo sauce for a completely new twist!
Skip Dredging in Flour
Don't want to use the flour mixture? Just drizzle the cauliflower florets with a bit of oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast them until they crisp up, and then at the end of roasting, toss the florets in the sauce and continue cooking as directed.
FAQs
How do you eat buffalo bites?
Make a burrito style bowl with a blend of rice, or skip the rice and use just the buffalo bites. Stuff these tasty bites in buffalo cauliflower tacos, eat them as a finger food with a dipping sauce (like vegan blue cheese dressing), or serve them as an appetizer! There are so many ways to enjoy this baked buffalo cauliflower.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any cauliflower you do not eat in the fridge for 3–5 days. You will find that these bites are best when eaten fresh out of the oven - they will have the best flavor and texture. But you can reheat leftover buffalo cauliflower bites in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner.
Can I use a mild wing sauce?
You can use a mild or spicy sauce for your cauliflower bites. You can even split the recipe into two batches and do both, if you have a family that is divided on their spice levels!
If you love this buffalo cauliflower, be sure to check out these other tasty recipes:
- Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
- Buffalo Tofu Wings with Ranch Dipping Sauce
- 20 Brilliant Ways to Use Cauliflower
While you're here, be sure to grab our FREE 5-Day Meatless Meal Plan. It's packed with tasty recipes to make vegetarian cooking easy and delicious!
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ cup plain almond milk
- 1 head cauliflower chopped into florets
- ½ cup hot sauce such as Frank’s buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp canola oil or your oil of choice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, garlic powder, salt, and paprika until combined. Whisk in the almond milk until the batter is smooth.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the mixture and toss until they are evenly coated.
- Spread cauliflower out on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until fork tender, gently stirring halfway through.
- While cauliflower is cooking, mix together the hot sauce, oil, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Once cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl and toss with the prepared hot sauce
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower back to the baking sheet. Bake for 2–3 more minutes, until sauce is bubbling. Serve hot.
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