Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (Printable)

Crispy baked cauliflower florets coated in spicy buffalo sauce for a satisfying vegetarian appetizer.

# 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
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

→ Serving

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.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter, tossing to coat evenly.
04 - Arrange battered florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through until lightly browned.
06 - Meanwhile, whisk together melted butter, hot sauce, and honey or maple syrup in a small bowl.
07 - Remove cauliflower from the oven. Gently toss baked florets in buffalo sauce until well coated.
08 - Return coated florets to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy and caramelized.
09 - Serve immediately with celery, carrot sticks, and your preferred dressing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They satisfy that crispy-spicy craving without the post-meal heaviness of traditional wings
  • The batter creates this incredible crunch that actually holds up under the sauce
  • You can prep everything in about 15 minutes and let the oven do the heavy lifting
02 -
  • Dont overcrowd the baking sheet—those florets need space to crisp up or they'll steam instead
  • The batter should be thick enough to coat, not runny—add another tablespoon of flour if it seems too thin
  • That second bake after saucing is crucial—it locks the sauce onto the cauliflower instead of leaving it soggy
03 -
  • Cornmeal hack: add 2 tbsp to your batter for extra crunch and a slightly cornbread-like flavor
  • Serve within 15 minutes of baking for maximum crispy texture
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