Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

This is the easiest ever Buffalo Cauliflower recipe – these delicious baked bites are a healthier vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings.

Serve them with your favourite dip, like ranch or blue cheese, and watch them disappear! If you’re hosting a game day party or just craving something tasty, these buffalo cauliflower bites will hit the spot.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Crispy and flavourful: These bites are baked to perfection with a deliciously crispy coating.
• Perfect for any occasion: They're great for game days, parties, or as a tasty appetizer.
• Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes for a hassle-free snack or side dish.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Flour – use almond flour or cornstarch to make this appetizer gluten-free.
• Garlic powder – onion powder would also work here.
• Cauliflower – this is crucial to the recipe. Make sure to choose a head of cauliflower that’s firm to the touch and tightly closed.
• Buffalo sauce – use any bottled variety of your choice or make your own homemade buffalo sauce.
• Butter – the butter will help cut the buffalo sauce. Feel free to swap it out for your favourite butter substitute or leave it out altogether (although the flavour will be stronger).

How to make Buffalo cauliflower

Step 1: Mix together coating.

Add the flour, garlic powder and water to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Toss the cauliflower.

Add the cauliflower florets, tossing to combine.

Step 3: Add to baking sheet.

Arrange the cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake.

Season cauliflower with salt and pepper, then bake.

Step 5: Add the sauce.

Mix buffalo sauce and butter together. When cauliflower is done, pour sauce and toss.

Step 6: Finish baking then serve and enjoy!

Bake another 10 minutes and serve!

Frequently asked questions

How can I reduce the spice level?

If you're not a big fan of spice, you can use extra butter to cut the spiciness of the buffalo sauce.

How do I prevent the cauliflower from becoming soggy?

Ensure the cauliflower is very dry after washing. Toss the florets in the wet batter and let most of the excess drip off, aiming for a light coating. Baking at a high temperature and using a wire rack can also help maintain crispiness.

Can I make this dish gluten-free or dairy-free?

To make the recipe gluten-free, use almond flour or cornstarch instead of flour. To make it dairy-free or vegan, use your favourite butter substitute.

What to serve with buffalo cauliflower

If you are making this buffalo cauliflower as an appetizer for a party, you can serve it with more of your favourite game day sides! Here are some side dish and serving ideas:

• Dipping sauces like vegan ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
• Sliced veggies like carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or radishes
• Chili cheese fries or loaded In-N-Out fries
• Cowboy caviar

How to store and reheat

Buffalo cauliflower bites are best enjoyed straight out of the oven, but here's how I would put them away.

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid the microwave, because it can make the batter soggy.
• Freezing: Place the florets in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer to prevent sticking. After an hour, transfer the frozen florets to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat the buffalo cauliflower straight from frozen in the oven at 375°F for 15 minutes.

Meal prep tools

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into leftovers.