Description
These crispy buffalo cauliflower wings offer a spicy, tangy kick with a perfect crunch on the outside and tender bite inside. A healthier, veggie-forward alternative to traditional buffalo wings, perfect for snacks, parties, or game nights.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 3/4 cup water, room temperature
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil for brushing or spraying
- Buffalo Sauce:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving
- Fresh celery sticks for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Wash and thoroughly dry cauliflower, then cut into 1.5 to 2 inch bite-sized florets. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
- In a large bowl, whisk together chickpea flour, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Gradually add water while whisking until batter is smooth and coats the back of a spoon, similar to pancake batter consistency. Adjust thickness with more water or flour if needed.
- Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss gently until fully coated.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat. Arrange coated florets in a single layer without touching.
- Lightly brush or spray each piece with vegetable oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and firm.
- While baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in hot sauce, honey or maple syrup, and Worcestershire sauce if using. Keep warm.
- Transfer baked cauliflower to a large bowl and toss with warm buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Optional: Return sauced wings to baking sheet and bake an additional 5-7 minutes at 450°F (230°C) for extra stickiness and heat. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve hot with celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to ensure crispiness. Pat cauliflower dry before battering. Flip halfway through baking for even crisp. For extra crispiness, broil 1-2 minutes at the end or bake an additional 5-7 minutes after saucing. Adjust cayenne pepper and hot sauce to control heat level. Use vegan butter and vegan dressing for dairy-free version. Reheat leftovers in oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 5
Keywords: buffalo cauliflower wings, crispy cauliflower, spicy snack, vegetarian appetizer, gluten-free snack, vegan option, game day food