It’s almost Game Day! And you know what that means…. Buffalo Wings! Just kidding! This time we’re making Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and they’re so good you won’t even miss the chicken. Trust me! Just ask my husband.
Buffalo Wings (or in our case, Buffalo Cauliflower Bites) are a classic during the Super Bowl. There are so many different recipes floating around the internet but this one will surely knock your socks off. I first tried Buffalo Cauliflower Bites last year right before the world shut down. I was out at bar with a few friends (do you remember going out?), and one suggested we order Buffalo Cauliflower. Even though I like cauliflower, I was reluctant to order this thinking it could never compare to the real thing.
Boy was I wrong!!! It was so delicious. I’ve attempted to make this multiple times over the last year and I feel like I’ve finally perfected it.
First, you will want to cut your cauliflower into bite sized florets. You want them to be similar in size to a chicken nugget but small enough that you can fit it all in one bite (or 2).
Once you’ve got your cauliflower ready, it’s time to make the batter. In this recipe I used garlic powder, salt, and paprika to season the batter, but you can use whatever spice you like. Mix the flour, water and spices until the batter combined well and has a thick consistency.
Coat each individual cauliflower floret until completely covered and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If you don’t have parchment paper, spray the baking sheet with cooking spray so the cauliflower doesn’t stick. When placing the florets on the baking sheet, be sure to tap off any excess batter. You don’t want the cauliflower to be swimming in batter because then it won’t get crispy.
Bake cauliflower at 450 degrees for approximately 20 minutes, making sure to flip over the cauliflower halfway through to ensure even cooking. While the cauliflower bakes, it’s time to make the sauce.
You can buy pre-made buffalo sauce but I prefer to make it myself. It’s very simple and delicious and I usually have all the ingredients already in my pantry. This sauce recipe is one of my mom’s recipes.
In a small sauce pan, mix together the hot sauce, apple cider vinegar and butter. Cook on low to medium heat until the butter is melted and the sauce is combined. I prefer to use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce because it is mild and has a great flavor. You can use any hot sauce that you like. Adding the vinegar will give the sauce an extra kick and makes the sauce a little spicier. You can also add cayenne to make it even spicier, or garlic powder for added flavor.
Once the cauliflower is cooked, remove it from the oven. Using a brush, coat each individual floret with the hot sauce mixture, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Once all the cauliflower is coated, put it back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from the oven. This last step is what takes it to another level. Once again, coat each individual cauliflower floret with the hot sauce.
You will want to make sure that once you do this last step, you are ready to serve it immediately. Once the cauliflower cools, it will start to get lose it’s crispiness.
Serve warm with cut vegetables and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. My favorite is Ken’s Blue Cheese Dressing.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 30min
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 Head of Cauliflower
- 1 Cup AP Flour
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Cup Hot Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- Blue Cheese Dressing or Ranch Dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut cauliflower into bite sized florets.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, water, salt, garlic powder and paprika to make a batter.
- Toss cauliflower into batter making sure each floret is fully coated.
- Place each individual floret onto the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 min, flipping over halfway through.
- To make the sauce, combine hot sauce, apple cider vinegar and butter is a small saucepan.
- Cook on medium heat until butter is melted and combined. Set to the side.
- Once cauliflower is baked, remove from the oven.
- Using a brush, coat each individual floret with the hot sauce mixture.
- Put cauliflower back in the oven and bake for an additional 10 min, or until brown.
- Remove cauliflower from oven and once again brush each individual floret with the hot sauce mixture.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Category: Appetizer
