Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Introduction

Cauliflower wings are a flavorful and crispy alternative to traditional chicken wings, perfect for vegetarians or anyone looking to enjoy a tasty snack. This recipe features a crunchy baked coating with a spicy buffalo sauce that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

A white rectangular dish filled with multiple pieces of bright orange, crispy buffalo cauliflower wings coated in a shiny, thick spicy sauce, each piece showing a textured fried batter. On the left side of the dish, a small white round bowl holds a smooth, creamy white ranch dip, with one buffalo cauliflower wing partially dipped into it. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into large florets
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup hot sauce (such as Franks)
  • 4 Tbsp. melted butter
  • Ranch dressing, for serving
  • Celery sticks, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, and garlic powder until smooth. Season the batter with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, coating evenly. Shake off any excess batter and arrange the coated florets on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until crispy and golden around the edges.
  4. Step 4: While the cauliflower bakes, prepare the buffalo sauce by whisking together the hot sauce and melted butter in a large bowl.
  5. Step 5: Once baked, toss the cauliflower wings gently in the buffalo sauce until well coated. Serve immediately with ranch dressing and celery sticks, if desired.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crispiness, try using gluten-free flour or adding a bit of cornstarch to the batter.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of hot sauce or substitute with a sweet chili sauce.
  • Oven temperatures may vary; keep an eye on the wings to avoid burning.
  • Serve with blue cheese dressing as an alternative to ranch for a classic buffalo flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

A white rectangular plate filled with one layer of bright orange buffalo cauliflower bites with a shiny, slightly bumpy texture, stacked close together on the left side. On the right side of the plate, there is a single white bowl with a honeycomb pattern, filled with smooth, creamy, off-white ranch dipping sauce. The plate sits on a wooden surface with the background showing blurred white and green celery sticks and a textured white cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make cauliflower wings vegan?

Yes, substitute the milk with a plant-based option like almond or soy milk, and replace the butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil. Also, ensure the hot sauce you use is vegan-friendly.

Can I air fry cauliflower wings instead of baking?

Absolutely! Air frying at 400°F for about 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, works well to achieve a crispy texture without using an oven.

Print

Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Crispy, spicy cauliflower wings coated in a flavorful batter and baked to golden perfection, then tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce. A delicious vegetarian alternative to traditional chicken wings, perfect for game day or as a tasty appetizer served with ranch dressing and celery sticks.

  • Author: Elena
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower Wings

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into large florets
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Buffalo Sauce

  • 1 cup hot sauce (such as Franks)
  • 4 Tbsp melted butter

For Serving

  • Ranch dressing
  • Celery sticks (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the cauliflower from sticking.
  2. Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, milk, and garlic powder until smooth. Season the batter with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, mixing well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated. Shake off any excess batter, then place the coated florets on the prepared baking sheets in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
  4. Bake the Cauliflower: Bake the battered cauliflower in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the florets are crispy on the outside and golden brown around the edges.
  5. Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower bakes, whisk together the hot sauce and melted butter in a large bowl until well combined to create the buffalo sauce.
  6. Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Once baked, transfer the crispy cauliflower wings to the bowl with the buffalo sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the sauce.
  7. Serve: Serve the buffalo cauliflower wings hot, accompanied by ranch dressing and celery sticks for dipping and crunch, if desired.

Notes

  • For a thicker, crispier batter, you can refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes before coating the cauliflower.
  • To make this dish vegan, substitute the milk with a plant-based milk and use vegan butter or margarine for the buffalo sauce.
  • You can adjust the heat level by varying the amount or type of hot sauce used in the buffalo sauce.
  • Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheets to ensure the cauliflower crisps up properly.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.

Keywords: cauliflower wings, buffalo cauliflower, vegetarian wings, baked wings, appetizer, game day snack, healthy wings, spicy cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer

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