Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These buffalo cauliflower bites are crispy on the outside and just tender enough on the inside. The cauliflower doesn’t become mushy, and there is still a slight crunch to it.

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites in a white serving bowl with celery sticks on the side.

Baked buffalo cauliflower bites are my answer to wing night for our vegetarian daughter.  

I don’t particularly enjoy cooking two separate meals, but I do it to make sure she is eating somewhat healthily. Otherwise, she grabs the quickest, easiest junk food.

I was surprised that I actually enjoy these faux wings as well.

So when my husband and I are having our buffalo chicken wings my daughter can have her healthy vegetarian version.

Buffalo cauliflower bites on a white plate with celery and ranch dressing.

Why You’ll Love These

  • Now the vegetarian in your life can enjoy buffalo wings too.
  • Simple to make and deliver crispy buffalo cauliflower bites!
  • Baked not fried!
  • It can be served as an appetizer, main, or even a side dish.

Looking for more vegetarian appetizer recipes that will please everyone at the party? Try our spinach dip from scratch, easy Mediterranean dip, deviled potato bites, and spinach artichoke cups.

Ingredients for baked buffalo cauliflower bites on a dark surface.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Without Flour

Don’t want to use flour? Keep them low carb/keto and gluten-free or even vegan by tossing the uncooked florets with a little oil, salt, and pepper.

Roast until tender-crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and toss them in a bowl with buffalo sauce or hot sauce.

Return them back to the pan and roast for another 3-5 minutes until browned, and the sauce is bubbling.

Just note that the buffalo sauce doesn’t stick and coat as well as with a batter.

Unbaked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites dipped in batter on a wire rack in a baking sheet.

How to Make Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

We have made these by cutting them smaller and without a batter. They were too soft, and the buffalo sauce didn’t want to adhere to the cauliflower very well.

So we decided to try a coating, and they came out great.

Cut the cauliflower into about 2″ florets. (So they don’t get mushy soft while baking.)

Preheat the oven to 450° degrees F and line a large baking sheet with foil. Place an oven-safe rack on top of the foil and spray generously with cooking spray or olive oil.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, buttermilk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and thickened.

Gently toss the cauliflower florets in the flour mixture, being sure to coat evenly.

Place them on the rack in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes until they start to brown slightly.

While they are baking, make your buffalo wing sauce if not using the bottled kind (like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce). (1/3 cup melted butter and 2/3 cup hot sauce)

Baked cauliflower bites in a glass bowl.

Remove the baked cauliflower to a large mixing bowl and toss them with the buffalo sauce.

Place back on the rack, and brush with the sauce remaining in the bowl. Cover any areas missed during tossing.

Cauliflower bites tossed with buffalo sauce on a wire rack.

Bake for the final 10 minutes.

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites on a white platter with celery and ranch dressing.

Serve this spicy buffalo cauliflower with celery sticks, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing.

One piece of baked cauliflower bite on a fork dipped in ranch.

Perfect for your vegetarian friends during the super bowl or any game-day event!

How to Serve Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

These are great dipped in your favorite ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for a game day snack. Serve with a side of fresh vegetables like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or bell pepper slices.

Or make the cauliflower buffalo bites into a meal and serve them over a bed of steamed rice. Or turn them into buffalo cauliflower tacos.

Tips

  • Cut the cauliflower into large bite-size pieces. Don’t cut them too small they will overcook and become too soft.
  • Be sure to bake them on a baking rack. You want the heat and air to circulate around each piece for even crispiness.
  • Adjust the spice heat to your liking by using a mild or hot buffalo sauce.
  • Line the pan with aluminum foil and parchment paper for easy clean-up. You’ll thank me later.
  • Keep the florets the same size for even baking.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

I don’t recommend using frozen cauliflower pieces. They tend to get mushy and soggy.

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy?

These will become soggy if you use too much buffalo sauce. Don’t be tempted to add more sauce than the recipe calls for.

Can I make this in an air fryer?

Yes. Cook at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes. Coat the cauliflower with the buffalo sauce and then cook another 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.

Storing and Reheating

These are best served fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat at 350 degrees until warmed through.

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Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites in a white serving bowl.

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe

Crispy on the outside and just tender enough on the inside. The vegetarian buffalo wing!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 161kcal
Author: Don’t Sweat The Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 3/4 cup Buffalo sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with foil. Place an oven-safe rack on top of the foil and spray generously with cooking spray.
  • Prepare the batter for the cauliflower by combining the flour, buttermilk, garlic powder, kosher salt, & freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Gently toss the cauliflower with the batter, being sure to coat the cauliflower thoroughly.
    3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk), 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • Place the coated cauliflower on the prepared rack, leave space between each one.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cauliflower starts to brown slightly.
  • When the cauliflower is ready, remove it from the oven and toss in a large bowl with the buffalo sauce. Place back on the wire rack, brush with the buffalo sauce remaining in the bowl. (coat spots that were missed)
    3/4 cup Buffalo sauce
  • Put back in the oven for 10 more minutes until browned to your liking.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
  • Serve these baked buffalo cauliflower bites with your choice of blue cheese dressing or ranch and celery.

Notes

— I don’t recommend frozen cauliflower for this recipe. They tend to get mushy and soggy.
— To make your own buffalo sauce melt 1/3 cup of butter with 2/3 cup of hot sauce.
— Don’t be tempted to add more sauce than the recipe calls for it will make them soggy.
Air Fryer – Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, coat the cauliflower with the buffalo sauce, and then cook another 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
Storing – These are best served fresh. Store in an airtight container and reheat at 350 degrees until warmed through.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 1777mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 2mg

Recipe inspired by OurLifeTastesGood

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6 Comments

  1. I absolutely love your recipe! I am writing vegetarian recipe round ups on my blog in 2018 (to encourage people to try meatless monday- everyone has to start somewhere) and would love to feature you. You can check out my blog (for beginner environmentalists) at sunshineguerrilla.com. Is it alright if I share this link to your recipe?

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