Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (Print Version)

Crispy battered cauliflower florets baked and coated in spicy buffalo sauce for a perfect vegetarian wing alternative.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Batter

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 3/4 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Buffalo Sauce

09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ Serving Suggestions

12 - Celery sticks
13 - Carrot sticks
14 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter, tossing gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
04 - Place battered florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring pieces do not overlap for even cooking.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes, flipping florets halfway through cooking time, until lightly browned on all sides.
06 - While cauliflower bakes, whisk together melted butter, hot sauce, and honey or maple syrup if using, until fully incorporated.
07 - Remove cauliflower from oven and gently toss baked florets in buffalo sauce mixture until thoroughly coated.
08 - Return sauced florets to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy and edges are caramelized.
09 - Serve immediately while hot and crispy, accompanied by celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The batter creates this incredible crunch that actually survives the sauce bath without getting soggy
  • These come together in under an hour but taste like they took way more effort and skill
02 -
  • Overcrowding the baking sheet is the fastest way to end up with soggy, steamed cauliflower instead of crispy wings
  • The second bake is crucial—it caramelizes the sauce and firms the coating back up after it gets soaked
03 -
  • Add 2-3 tablespoons cornmeal to the batter for extra texture and crunch
  • Use plant-based butter and maple syrup to keep these completely vegan
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