VEGAN BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS

November 25, 2020 by Kate Winslet

These vegan buffalo cauliflower wings are crispy, spicy, and secretly healthy! The soft and tender cauliflower “wings” are baked to perfection then tossed in hot buffalo sauce. Dip them in vegan ranch dressing and serve with celery stalks. It’s a delicious appetizer that could fool vegetarians and meat eaters, alike!

vegan buffalo cauliflower wings with dairy-free ranch dressing dip in a bowl

In case you couldn’t already tell, this recipe isn’t your traditional baked cauliflower. It’s brought to you in the best disguise: a crispy breaded coating + spicy buffalo dressing. There’s no need for chicken wings when you can enjoy these instead! It’s a healthy alternative to the real deal.

These buffalo cauliflower wings are:

Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free
Crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside
Packed with spice and heat!
Secretly healthy / Baked instead of fried
Easy to make with minimal ingredients
A sneaky way to get your family to eat more veggies!
A tasty snack, appetizer, or side dish
Great for parties, game day, and pot lucks

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN CAULIFLOWER BUFFALO WINGS?

Cauliflower. We can’t make cauliflower wings without cauliflower, right? Not only is it a healthy alternative to chicken, but it’s also packed with nutrition. There are several benefits of eating cauliflower including vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, fiber, and antioxidants.
Flour. We’ll use either traditional or gluten-free all-purpose flour for the batter. The choice is yours!
Almond milk. Almond milk and flour create the crispy cauliflower wing coating. If you have a nut allergy, feel free to use soy milk instead.
Buffalo sauce. Time to put your favorite buffalo sauce to use! I recommend Frank’s Red Hot sauce. It’s undeniably delicious and pairs perfectly with the baked cauliflower.
Vegan butter. Just a couple tablespoons of vegan butter is added to the buffalo sauce to get that authentic, buttery, “wing” flavor.
Spices and seasoning. Specifically, we’ll use garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

flour, hot sauce, vegan butter, garlic, salt, and smoked paprika inside white bowls

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS

For the full recipe, scroll down to view the recipe card below.

Begin by preheating the oven to 450 degrees F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Also, chop the cauliflower head into small florets.

Next, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together. Then, add almond milk and whisk together once more.

mixing flour, spices, and almond milk together in a glass bowl

Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it is evenly coated. Tap off any excess batter and place cauliflower onto the baking sheet. Repeat until all cauliflower is used. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Meanwhile, microwave the vegan butter for 15-25 seconds to melt. Mix melted vegan butter with buffalo sauce.

Transfer baked cauliflower into a bowl. Toss baked cauliflower in the buffalo sauce; be sure to evenly coat each wing. Transfer cauliflower back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Serve the baked cauliflower buffalo wings alongside ranch dressing, celery stalks, and carrots.

preparing cauliflower wings by dipping them into batter, placing them on a baking sheet, and pouring hot sauce over them

a hand holding a vegan cauliflower buffalo wing

KAYLIE’S TIPS

If you are following a gluten-free diet, be sure to use gluten-free flour rather than traditional all-purpose flour. The recipe works well either way!
These vegetarian wings are delicious all on their own, but you can also serve them with ranch dressing dip, celery stalks, and sliced carrots. Additionally, you can add these vegan buffalo cauliflower wings to pizza, tacos, sandwiches, and salads!
Got leftovers? Store leftovers in the refrigerator. To reheat, bake them at 425 degrees F for 5-8 minutes.