Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 40

Servings: people

Calories: 229kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, spicy & amazingly delicious! Enjoy these healthy vegetarian buffalo wings with homemade blue cheese or ranch dip. With directions for the oven or air fryer.

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Ingredients

¾ cup flour
¾ cup milk or water for vegan
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
3 Tablespoons Butter use dairy free butter for vegan
¾ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
Dash Worcestershire Sauce optional - omit for vegan
Dash Tabasco Sauce optional
Blue cheese dressing for serving

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine flour, milk, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stir until combined.
Place the cauliflower pieces in the batter and toss well to coat. Place on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes.

Oven Method

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat (or microwave in a small bowl). Remove pan from heat to prevent sauce from separating. Whisk in Frank's, Worcestershire and Tabasco until smooth and well combined.
Remove cauliflower from oven and toss with buffalo sauce in a large bowl. Return to baking sheet and bake 5 minutes longer. Serve with blue cheese dressing or ranch.

Air Fryer Method

Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees.
Cook in a single layer (you will need to work in batches) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat (or microwave in a small bowl). Remove pan from heat to prevent sauce from separating. Whisk in Frank's, Worcestershire and Tabasco until smooth and well combined.
Remove cauliflower from air fryer and toss with buffalo sauce in a large bowl. Serve with blue cheese dressing or ranch.

Notes

Recipe tips

Cut the florets into large, similar sized pieces so that they cook at the same rate. If your pieces are too small, they may become mushy.
DO NOT crowd the baking sheet or air fryer basket. If you crowd it, the cauliflower bites steam themselves instead of crisping up. They need room for the air to circulate around them.
If the bites aren’t crispy enough, try placing them under the broiler for a couple minutes.
These are best served straight out of the oven. The longer they sit, the more soggy they will become.

How to make them more or less spicy

Mild: Use 4-ounces Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, 4 tablespoons butter, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco.
Medium: Use 6-ounces Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, 3 tablespoons butter, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco.
Hot: Use 7-ounces Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, 2 tablespoons butter, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco.

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