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    Home » Seasons » Fall

    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    Published: Jan 28, 2018 · Updated: Jun 26, 2020 · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    These vegan-friendly Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are baked until crispy, and are perfect for Game Day as an easy and healthy appetizer!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    These vegan-friendly Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are baked until crispy, and are perfect for Game Day as an easy and healthy appetizer!

    These vegan-friendly Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are baked until crispy, and are perfect for Game Day as an easy and healthy appetizer!

    Did you know there’s a football game on Sunday? 

    Apparently, it’s kind of a big deal. 

    For those of us who may be a little bit clueless on the football front, the Super Bowl, the biggest game of the year, is this Sunday.

    This, of course, means that you just might find yourself at someone’s Super Bowl party.  Whether you’re watching the game, or (like me) are simply waiting for commercials and the halftime show, you’ll probably be eating.

    Unfortunately, game day food isn’t known for being nutritious. 

    With everyone chowing down on hot dogs, football-shaped cookies, and burgers, it might be difficult to find healthy food choices. 

    The solution?

    Bring something nutritious yourself!  Then, you can be sure there will be at least one non-greasy, non-fried, non-sugary food choice available. 

    Bring something delicious and healthy, like vegan sloppy joes, crispy oven fries, or these cauliflower wings!

    These buffalo cauliflower wings are the solution to your football food problems!

    Cauliflower cut into bite-size pieces, with an uncut cauliflower in the background
    Cut Cauliflower into bite-size pieces

    Does Cauliflower Have Wings? How Are these Cauliflower Wings?

    Um, no. It sure doesn’t.

    But since these are seasoned like chicken wings, let’s roll with the name, shall we?

    If it makes you feel better, call them buffalo cauliflower bites.

    I admit, I was suspicious when I started seeing cauliflower as a substitute for potatoes and meat. 

    It seemed like everyone was doing it, and cauliflower has never been one of my favorite vegetables.  However, after making these little buffalo cauliflower bites a few times, I’ve changed my mind.

    In fact, I’ve embraced the cauliflower life.

    Now that I love cauliflower, I even love cauliflower mash (or Instant Pot mashed cauliflower), and use it to thicken soup (like this spicy butternut squash soup!).

    What Kind of Hot Sauce Should I Use?

    For a traditional buffalo sauce taste, try Franks Red Hot sauce. 

    I make mine with whatever hot sauce I’m currently in love with. Right now it’s Cholula or Sriracha.

    How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (or Bites)

    To make these easy cauliflower wings, whisk together a little flour, water, hot sauce, and honey (or agave syrup). 

    Add the cauliflower to the mixture, and then strain out the coated cauliflower.  Bake the veggies until they’re crisp, and serve them while they’re still hot with a dipping sauce.

    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings after baking
    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings after baking

    I can’t promise that you’ll enjoy the football game, or that your team will win, but at least you’ll enjoy the food!

    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings on a serving tray with blue cheese dressing

    Want more vegan game day food? Try this vegan buffalo jackfruit flatbread from Killing Thyme!

    These vegan-friendly Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are baked until crispy, and are perfect for Game Day as an easy and healthy appetizer!
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    4.15 from 7 votes

    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    These vegan-friendly Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are baked until crispy, and are perfect for Game Day as an easy and healthy appetizer!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 86kcal
    Freezer Friendly?

    No

    Will It Keep?

    No

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
    • olive oil spray (or 1 TB for brushing on baking sheet)
    • ½ cup flour
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • ¼ cup hot sauce Frank’s (for a buffalo flavor), or your favorite hot sauce
    • 1 teaspoon honey OR agave syrup
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • To Serve: Blue Cheese (traditional or vegan)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 450ºF.
      Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray or brush with olive oil.
      Cut your cauliflower into small bite-size pieces.
    • Mix all ingredients except cauliflower in a large mixing bowl. Add cauliflower and toss.  If there's not enough sauce to fully coat your cauliflower, add a little more water and toss again.
      Remove cauliflower from bowl with a slotted spoon, and place on baking sheet in a single layer.
      Note: Depending on the size of your bowl, it might be easiest to add and remove the cauliflower in small batches.
    • Roast 20-25 minutes. If you want them extra crispy, switch the oven to broil the last 5-10 minutes (but watch to make sure they don’t burn).
    • Drizzle more hot sauce over cauliflower.  Serve hot with blue cheese dressing (or other preferred sauce).

    Notes

     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 86kcal (4%) | Carbohydrates: 18g (6%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Sodium: 1005mg (44%) | Potassium: 278mg (8%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 25IU (1%) | Vitamin C: 50.4mg (61%) | Calcium: 20mg (2%) | Iron: 1.1mg (6%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meghan Arnold

      February 01, 2016 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      I seriously can’t wait to make these on Sunday. <33333

      Reply
    2. Muna Kenny

      February 04, 2016 at 6:05 am

      5 stars
      I just love baked cauliflower, I will give your delicious looking recipe a try 🙂

      Reply
    3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      January 29, 2018 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love cauliflower wings (extra hot sauce for me 🙂 ). I don’t watch the game either, but I do love the food, all about the food, all the time, lol. Pinning these and making soon. Gotta love snacks they are on the healthier side!

      Reply
    4. Meg | Meg is Well

      February 02, 2018 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love substituting cauliflower in meat dishes, it’s one of my favorites! I love that you get the same vibrant orange game day snack but that it’s healthy.

      Reply
    5. Anon

      August 01, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      2 stars
      I’ve tried several different cauliflower “hot wings” recipes. This one was by far the most disappointing. The sauce wasn’t enough to coat the entire head of florets, and even adding in some broiling didn’t make it crispy at all.

      I was excited, too – usually adding in honey is a great way to get crispiness, but maybe more than a teaspoon was needed.

      Reply
      • Sarah Trenalone

        August 01, 2021 at 11:23 pm

        I’m so sorry they didn’t turn out well for you! It sounds like there may have been too much water in the batter for the size of your cauliflower.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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