Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Description:
Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower is a flavorful, plant-based alternative to traditional buffalo wings. These cauliflower florets are baked (or air-fried) to crispy perfection and then tossed in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce. Perfect as a game-day snack, party appetizer, or even a side dish, this recipe satisfies your cravings without the meat.
Ingredients:
For the Cauliflower:
1 large head of cauliflower (cut into bite-sized florets)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup water or unsweetened plant milk
For the Buffalo Sauce:
1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
2 tbsp vegan olive oil (or regular butter)
1 tbsp maple syrup (optional for a sweet touch)
Optional for Serving:
Celery sticks
Vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Make the olive oli:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and water until smooth.
3. Coat the Cauliflower:
Toss cauliflower florets in the batter until well coated. Shake off excess and place on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the Cauliflower:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and slightly crispy.
5. Make the Buffalo Sauce:
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and mix in hot sauce and maple syrup until combined.
6. Toss in Sauce & Bake Again:
Remove cauliflower from the oven. Toss in the buffalo sauce, return to the baking sheet, and bake another 10–15 minutes.
7. Serve:
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with celery and vegan ranch or dressing of choice.
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: ~50 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – makes 4 servings):
Calories: 170
Carbs: 22g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 850mg
Sugar: 3g
(Nutritional values vary depending on sauce and flour type used.)
Q&A Section
Q1: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.
Q2: Can I air-fry the cauliflower instead of baking?
A: Absolutely. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Q3: What’s a good dip for this?
A: Vegan ranch, tahini garlic sauce, or even avocado lime crema are perfect!
Q4: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: You can bake the cauliflower ahead and reheat it in the oven or air fryer for crispiness before tossing in sauce.
Q5: How spicy is it?
A: Medium-spicy. You can tone it down by using less hot sauce or adding more butter/maple syrup to mellow the heat.
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