My buffalo cauliflower bites are baked until golden brown and crisp, then coated in a buttery buffalo sauce. These make the best family-favorite appetizer.
My family aren’t overly picky, and can enjoy cauliflower in all shapes and forms. However, a surefire way to make it a universal favorite is to make my cauliflower buffalo bites. Inspired by my air fryer buffalo cauliflower, these are oven-baked and super crispy.
Why I love this recipe
- Actually crispy. Yes, these are baked, but don’t fret: I promise you these are as crispy and hot as deep fried bites.
- Healthier. Like my curry cauliflower, baking these cauliflower bites makes them WAY healthier than deep frying– and don’t even get me started on how they compare to buffalo chicken wings.
- Minimal prep and cleanup. I can not understate how quickly this dish comes together. And since only one bowl and one baking dish are required, cleanup is a breeze.
Key Ingredients
- Cauliflower. One large fresh head of cauliflower, chopped into equal-sized florets.
- Flour. I used regular all-purpose flour, but you can use gluten-free flour if needed.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk. If you don’t have milk, water will work.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
- Buffalo sauce. The star ingredient. I used Frank’s Buffalo Sauce, but there are tons of options, so use your favorite.
- Butter. A little melted butter will thin out the sauce and add an extra flavor component.
How to make buffalo cauliflower bites
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep work. In a large bowl, whisk the flour with ½ cup milk and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2- Dredge. Add the cauliflower florets to the flour mixture and toss to coat.
Step 3- Bake. Place the cauliflower florets in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake until cooked.
Step 4- Coat in sauce. Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the cauliflower and toss to coat. Bake until crispy.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Add seasonings. Add some garlic powder or onion powder to the flour mixture to elevate the flavor.
- Make vegan buffalo cauliflower wings. All you have to do is swap the butter for vegan butter or oil.
- Chop evenly. I know cauliflower can be tricky to cut into uniform shapes, but try to chop them into roughly equal bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Add more heat. If you’re a spice nut, add a few extra dashes of straight hot sauce. I used Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.
Frequently asked questions
What do you eat cauliflower bites with?
While delicious on their own, I like to serve them with crispy veggies and dipping sauces, like ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Are buffalo cauliflower wings keto?
These buffalo cauliflower wings are suitable for a keto diet by swapping the all-purpose flour for almond flour. If the batter is too thin, add an extra tablespoon of almond flour.
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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
5 from 37 votes
These buffalo cauliflower bites are baked until golden brown and crisp, then coated in a buttery buffalo sauce. It’s ready in minutes and a family favorite.
Servings:
Prep:5minutes mins
Cook:30minutes mins
Total:35minutes mins
Ingredients 1x2x3x
- ▢1 head cauliflower approximately 5 cups
- ▢1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- ▢1/2 cup milk I used unsweetened almond milk
- ▢1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢1/2 teaspoon pepper
- ▢2/3 cup buffalo sauce
- ▢1 1/2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C.450F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or foil, grease it well, and set aside. Chop your cauliflower into bite sized pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, milk, salt, and pepper. Whisk well. Add the cauliflower and toss to coat.
- Place the battered cauliflower on the lined tray and bake for 20 minutes. While the cauliflower bakes, whisk together the buffalo sauce with the butter.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven and brush each piece with buffalo sauce. Place back in the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
TO STORE. Leftover buffalo bites can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
TO FREEZE. Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge, or add more reheating time.
TO REHEAT. To keep their crispy texture, I recommend reheating leftover buffalo bites in an oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes or in the air fryer at 375 for 4-5 minutes. I would avoid microwaving the bites as they’ll likely get soggy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 9gFat: 15gSodium: 1626mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 7gVitamin C: 69mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 2mgNET CARBS: 3g
