These spicy buffalo cauliflower bites are the perfect appetizer for those who like food with a kick. These little bites are seriously addictive, with a perfect combination of spicy flavors and a tangy twist. This is our favorite way to eat cauliflower...especially on game day!
Cauliflower is such an amazing vegetable! Not only is it good for you (according to Healthline), but you can make it into almost anything. It can be mashed like potatoes, roasted, put in a soup to make it creamy, or stand in for meat.
These cauliflower bites are just like buffalo wings, but made with a veggie. We love making a big batch for an appetizer and then using the leftovers as a filling for wraps or tacos.
These cauliflower bites are pretty spicy. If you are looking for a milder cauliflower recipe, check out my smoky roasted cauliflower. Or if you love spicy veggies, try my Instant Pot collard greens and cucumber salad with sriracha.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like Buffalo wings: This cauliflower is spicy and has that classic buffalo sauce flavor just like chicken wings...just without the chicken.
- Versatile: This cauliflower makes a delicious side dish, appetizer, or filler for wraps or tacos.
- Less oil: This is made with a small amount of butter so it's a great alternative to traditional wings which are usually fried.
Ingredient Notes
These cauliflower bites are made with simple ingredients and a handful of spices.
- Flour - I prefer using all purpose flour in this recipe.
- Milk - If you are using non-dairy milk, make sure it's unsweetened.
Please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and amounts needed.
How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Step 1: To start, preheat the oven to 425°. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper until it's well combined. This makes the wet batter for the cauliflower.
Step 3: Add the cauliflower florets into the bowl and toss to coat.
Step 4: Place the cauliflower onto the prepared sheet pan in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
Step 5: Meanwhile, make the spicy buffalo sauce. In a small pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the hot sauce, stir and set aside.
Step 6: After 30 minutes, remove the cooked cauliflower from the oven and put in a large bowl. Add the hot sauce mixture and stir well to coat.
Step 7: Place the buffalo cauliflower back on the baking sheet and bake for another 15 minutes.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and serve hot. Or if you are using them in a wrap or taco, let them cool slightly.
How to Cut Cauliflower
Cutting a cauliflower into florets is a simple process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Start by removing any leaves on the bottom of the cauliflower.
- Place the cauliflower on a cutting board with the stem side facing down.
- Using a sharp knife, make a vertical cut through the center of the cauliflower, dividing it into two halves. Cut each half again so it's now in quarters.
- Cut the core out of each quarter.
- Take one quarter of the cauliflower at a time and break it apart with your hands into florets. You can also slice it into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
If the florets are too large, cut them into smaller pieces. Remember, the size can affect the cooking time, so try to make them relatively even in size for more consistent results.
What To Serve With Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
If you are making this as an appetizer, serve with celery and carrot sticks and you favorite ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. Or use them as a filling for tacos or wraps. In a wrap, I love it with baby spinach and hummus.
Recipe and Storage FAQs
Yes you can and it's delicious. But you need to make sure the air fryer basket isn't too full so you may need to make multiple batches. Cook it at about 375 for 15 - 20 minutes. Add the sauce and then heat for another 5 minutes.
Sure! Just substitute the all purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
These definitely have a kick! For less spice, reduce the amount of Frank's hot sauce and increase the amount of vegan butter to 3 tablespoons.
Store these buffalo cauliflower bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results, eat within 4 days and reheat in the oven.
More Vegetable Side Dishes
If you tried this Spicy Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup milk regular or unsweetened plant-based milk
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoon butter regular or vegan
- ⅓ cup Frank's Red Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper until it's well combined.
- Add the cauliflower florets into the bowl and toss to coat.
- Place the cauliflower onto the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Meanwhile, in a small pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the hot sauce, stir and set aside.
- Remove the cooked cauliflower from the oven and put in a large bowl. Add the hot sauce mixture and stir well to coat.
- Place the buffalo cauliflower back on the baking sheet and bake for another 15 minutes. Serve hot.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Cutting board
Notes
- Try to cut the cauliflower into relatively uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
- You can serve these with carrot and celery sticks and some ranch.
- Store cooled leftover buffalo cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. It's great as a side dish but I also love it in a wrap with hummus and spinach. Delicious!
Jen says
We love spicy food so these are a hit. My kids love to snack on them while my husband and I love to put them in a wrap. Everyone loves them!