Description
Looking for a crispy, flavorful vegan snack or dinner? These crispy buffalo cauliflower bites are coated in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce, offering the perfect balance of heat and crunch. A plant-based alternative to traditional wings, these cauliflower bites are perfect for any occasion, from snack time to a quick dinner! Whether you make them in the oven or air fryer, they’re guaranteed to satisfy your cravings without compromising flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup flour (all-purpose or chickpea flour for a gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter (or regular butter if you’re not vegan)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- Optional garnishes: Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven or Air Fryer: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), or if you’re using an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). If baking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Cauliflower Bites: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the almond milk and olive oil, and whisk until the batter is smooth.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place the coated cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Bake or Air Fry the Cauliflower: Oven Method: Bake the cauliflower at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown and crispy. Air Fryer Method: Air fry the cauliflower at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower is cooking, melt the vegan butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the buffalo sauce and maple syrup (if using). Stir to combine and heat through, then remove from heat.
- Coat the Cauliflower in Buffalo Sauce: Once the cauliflower is crispy, remove it from the oven or air fryer. Drizzle the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower and toss gently to coat. You can add more sauce depending on your spice preference.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your crispy buffalo cauliflower wings hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro. Enjoy with your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make Sure the Cauliflower is Dry: To get that extra crispiness, pat the cauliflower dry with a paper towel before dipping it in the batter. This will help the batter stick better.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Whether you’re using the oven or air fryer, avoid overcrowding the cauliflower. Giving them space to cook will allow them to get crispy on all sides.
- Customize the Sauce: If you like it extra spicy, add more hot sauce or toss in some cayenne pepper to your buffalo sauce. For a milder version, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower, Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower, Healthy Cauliflower Bites, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, Vegan Snack Recipe