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Craving a crunch? These crispy buffalo cauliflower wings are tossed in batter, panko bread crumbs, and smothered in a buttery buffalo sauce - baked and meatless.
So, these are a bit healthier than your traditional buffalo wings. Buffalo wings are typically fried, but I am doing something a little bit different here.
Additionally, we’re using a secret ingredient: baking powder. This will help create a crunchier wing.
This recipe has been improved and updated.
I promise you’ll need the baking powder. Don’t skip out on this crucial ingredient. And if you’re worried about the taste of baking powder showing up in the final product - you don’t need to. It’ll be drowned out by the other flavors.
Recipe Notes
- Be sure to use baking powder and NOT baking soda. They are two very different things.
- Go for your choice of sauce in this recipe. I love a good vegan ranch. But other sauces to consider include, vegan blue cheese dressing, or anything that’s cool and creamy.
Seasonings To Add
If you have a preference for seasonings in buffalo wings or bites, go for the pantry-friendly spices you like. In this recipe, I am going for garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
However, feel free to add other flavors including black pepper, cayenne pepper, or onion powder.
What To Eat With Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
All you need are these buffalo cauliflower wings and a creamy vegan ranch dressing, but if you’re looking for other sides to accompany them, there are a few.
My favorite is a classic side of seasoned french fries, celery, carrots, or onion rings. If I am serving a crowd, for example, game-day or for a party, I like to add mac and cheese, a refreshing cucumber salad, or a hearty potato salad.
These sides are also a great kid-friendly addition to your buffalo cauliflower bites.
Choose what you like - there aren’t any rules here. If you want to take these wings in a different direction, toss them in a green salad, add them to tacos, or make a sandwich.
Cooking Ingredient I Want To Highlight
For this recipe, I used a thick and rich batch of buffalo wing sauce made by Sweet Baby Ray's. What I love about this buffalo wing sauce is that it's hot - but not too hot. I can handle some heat, but I prefer not to cry while eating wings.
Additionally, it's packed with a deep flavor including garlic and a "buttery" finish.
This sauce is also vegan, gluten-free, and it's a popular brand that's sold in most grocery stores. Sweet Baby Ray's Buffalo Wing Marinade and Sauce may also be found online.
Getting started on an afforodable plant-based diet? Check out our cheap plant-based guide.
Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup vegan milk
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs (x2, see note step #3)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder (x2, see note step #3)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (x2, see note step #3)
- ½ teaspoon salt (x2, see note step #3)
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and link a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and vegan milk. In a second mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Dip and coat each cauliflower floret into the flour and milk batter. Tap off the excess batter from the floret.
- Then, completely coat the floret with the bread crumbs. Repeat for all florets. (see note #3). Make a second batch with the bread crumb mix when you run out and it becomes lumpy.
- Arrange the cauliflower florets onto the baking tray in a single layer with space in-between. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- While the cauliflower wings are in the oven, place a small saucepan over low heat. Combine the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, and butter until butter has melted.
- Remove cauliflower wings from the oven. Coat the wings in the buffalo sauce. Place the cauliflower wings back onto the baking tray and bake for another 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Notes
- Be sure to use baking powder and NOT baking soda. They are two very different things.
- Go for your choice of dipping sauce in this recipe. I love a good vegan ranch. But other sauces to consider include, vegan blue cheese dressing, or anything that’s cool and creamy.
- Once you start running out of the panko mix and it begins to get clumpy, make a second batch.
Nutrition
Did you try out this Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe?
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Heather
I think this turned out well with almond flour. I don't plan to make it again simply because I've discovered that I am not a fan of buffalo sauce (at least not this much of it - too hot even when dipped in sour cream). An important factor, I know. I found there was more batter than I needed (maybe an extra half cup at least), not quite enough bread crumb mixture (I'd probably add a half cup), and not enough buffalo sauce to coat everything (I just added more sauce to saucepan - without additional butter - as needed). I made my cauliflower pieces somewhat small (filled two baking sheets when spread out about an inch apart). Larger pieces may have required less crumbs/sauce and offset the buffalo sauce more as well (certainly not enough for me though).
Heather
... Also, I did not bake them as long as the recipe suggests. The first time, I think I did the full ten minutes. But I could see they were starting to burn, so then I did 5-8 minute increments so they wouldn't get too burnt.
Aly Michell
Hey Heather! I am glad you tried out my buffalo cauliflower wings recipe. It’s definitely spicy (I love a hot kick!) But I understand it’s not for everyone. You can definitely switch out the sauce for something else. Thank you for your feedback - I will look into this and make any necessary fixes. Thanks for stopping by!!! 🙂
Daniel
Made these today and turned out quite well. I had a "medium-sized" cauliflower and the batter quantities in the recipe produced about 2X what I needed. I think you can get away with 1C milk, and slightly reduce the flour (though I'd perhaps keep it to 3/4 C, as it could have been slightly thicker). Smaller pieces crisp up better; I'd cut the cauliflower to be bit-sized. Recipe did not state how much panko to use. I used 1C. Before the final 10 minute bake cycle I sprinkled the remaining bread crumb mixture on top.
plantbasedandbroke
Hey!! Thanks for trying them out - glad you liked them. 🙂 I totally agree with you that cutting the cauliflower into small, bite-sized pieces works much better since they are taking more of the flavor and the batter. I've written that in the cooking notes. Also, I'll clarify the panko info!
Briana
This seriously looks so tasty!
Briana
plantbasedandbroke
Thank you! And it tastes awesome too. Definitely worth a try 🙂
Victoria
These look so good! I love cauliflower and I don’t eat regular winds so I wanna try