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 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Buffalo Sauce

09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
11 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

→ Serving (optional)

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 (if using) 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The batter creates this amazing crispy exterior that somehow survives the sauce toss
  • You can eat twice as many as regular wings without that heavy feeling afterward
  • Even confirmed meat eaters stop asking where the real chicken is
02 -
  • Crowding the baking sheet is the enemy of crispy wings
  • Let them cool just 5 minutes before serving or they'll be too hot to enjoy
03 -
  • Use paper towels to pat cauliflower dry before battering for better adhesion
  • Let the baked florets cool 2 minutes before saucing so the batter firms up slightly
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