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A meatless version of your favorite buffalo wings. No breading station required for these Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. The are so easy!!
These bites are so flavorful, tender on the inside, with a bit of crunch on the outside. These are meant for sharing, but I’m pretty sure you won’t want to. 😉
And because these are made with cauliflower instead of the traditional stuff buffalo bites are made with (chicken), they are healthier! So go ahead and chow down guilt free!
I’m sure you’ve seen various different recipes for these cauliflower bites floating around online. Most of them seem to have some sort of tedious breading involved. While I do love breaded things, it takes a long time and can make a big mess.
I wanted to find a way to make these without the need of a breading station. These Buffalo Cauliflower Bites still have a crunch from the Panko breadcrumbs, but the breadcrumbs are just loosely shaken on, which actually makes them a bit healthier because you can use less. It also makes them super easy! And so amazingly delicious. I can eat an entire head of cauliflower this way!
How to make the recipe
Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements and instructions.
I find the easiest way to prepare cauliflower is to first cut it in half down the middle and then work with each half on it’s own. Tear or cut off the outer leaves, then cut off the stem. If there are any smaller leaves in between the florets, I take a small paring knife and carefully cut the stem from the cauliflower.
Once the leaves and stem are gone, you can gently pull apart the florets. You want them bite size for this Buffalo Cauliflower recipe. If you have any florets that are on the larger size, you can cut them in half.
Any smaller florets or crumbled pieces you can save for a different recipe – throw them in soups, toss them with pasta, or add them to rice dishes.
Toss the cauliflower florets with a drizzle of oil and the breadcrumbs. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until tender.
Toss in the buffalo sauce and roast another 10 to 15 minutes until the cauliflower starts to get crispy on the outsides.
Toss with more Panko breadcrumbs and serve!
Love cauliflower? Don’t miss these other vegan cauliflower recipes.
- Crispy Baked Cauliflower Tacos
- Orange Cauliflower
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad
- Cauliflower Scampi
- Sweet Potato Cauliflower Soup
- Vegan Cauliflower Bolognese
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Dairy Free Ranch Dip
These tangy spicy cauliflower wing bites are the perfect appetizer, game day snack, or late night munchie. Serve ’em up with this Simple Vegan Ranch Dip and I dare you to try to stop eating them.
Many vegan ranch recipes call for cashews soaked for 3 to 4 hours. Those are delicious, but sometimes I want something I can whip up in just minutes.
I originally used vegan sour cream as the base, but I have also made it using vegan mayo as the base. Both are delicious, so use what’s in your fridge.
Southwest Vegan Ranch Dressing would be wonderfully delicious with these spicy bites, as well, and it is made with all whole food ingredients!
FAQs
Typical buffalo style sauce is made by combining hot sauce with butter and sometimes adding seasonings like garlic or Worcestershire sauce.
For this recipe, we are taking an even easier route and using store-bought bottled buffalo sauce! Tobasco Buffalo Sauce and Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce are both vegan and taste delicious. Don’t worry about the natural butter flavor in the Frank’s brand…it is indeed vegan.
If your mouth needs a break from the hot spicy bites, a little crunch of fresh celery with ranch should cool things down. Carrots could work, too.
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower (cut into bite size florets)
- 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (depending on the size of your head of cauliflower)
- ⅓ – ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce (Frank's also makes a vegan Buffalo style hot sauce)
Simple Vegan Ranch Dip
- ½ cup vegan sour cream (or vegan mayo)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened plain non-dairy milk (soy or almond would work) (*see note)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the cauliflower florets and toss to coat well.
- Pour the breadcrumbs over and toss again to coat.
- Pour cauliflower onto a parchment lined baking sheet and spread out into one layer.
- Roast for 20 minutes or until cauliflower starts to get tender.
- Take out of oven and pour back into the large bowl.
- Pour hot sauce over cauliflower and toss to coat.
- Place back on baking sheet and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes or so until cauliflower starts to get crispy on the edges.
- Meanwhile, make the Simple Vegan Ranch Dip. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until combined.
- Take cauliflower out of oven. Toss with a little more Panko breadcrumbs. Serve with Simple Vegan Ranch Dip.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Jenn S. says
I have not tried broccoli, Alex. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out! I do love crispy roasted broccoli.
Cadry's Kitchen says
These buffalo cauliflower bites look so delicious! Like you, I’m not always in the mood for the time, effort, and mess of breading something. What a great alternative! And I bet the panko makes the cauliflower extra crispy.
Jenn S. says
Yes! Gotta love panko! Thanks, Cadry!
Lucie says
I’ve always been a cauliflower lover but you might have just turned that love into obsession Jenn <3 such an amazing appetizer!!! And that sauce!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Lucie!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Drooling! Holy crap those look good. I just bought a head of yellow cauliflower. Making these!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Linda!! I am not ashamed to say I have eaten an ENTIRE batch myself in the past. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
This cauliflower snack sounds super yummy. I’ll have to go easy on the heat ’cause of The Hubby. But we both love roasted cauliflower. This takes it to a new level. I’ll have to try that dip too!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, KC! You can certainly use less hot sauce. Or even just serve it on the side and you can dunk your pieces. 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
I love crispy cauliflower of all kinds! These look especially delish, well buffalo sooooo drool! Have I commented on this before? I must have seen this because it screams my name!
Jenn S. says
LOL, thanks, Sophia! Crispy cauliflower is the best!
Becky says
Oh my goodness, these look so good! I love Buffalo cauliflower, but it’s so hard to get it nice and crispy without frying!
Jenn S. says
The panic definitely helps with the crispy! You will LOVE these!! Thanks, Becky!
Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says
These cauliflower “wings” look so delicious!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Cecilie! Enjoy!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
These look amazing, Jenn! Can’t wait to give them a try! 🙂 And that sauce!! YUM!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Sina!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
These were amazing, Jenn. Left the most epic burning sensation too (erm….due to consumption with beer).
Jenn S. says
Hey, I can’t control what you consume with it…but I would guess it was probably worth it anyway. LOL Thanks, Arman! So happy to hear you loved them!
alisamarie says
These are just so darn cute and they sound delicious! I’ve never thought to bread cauliflower.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Alisa! Steamed and breaded cauliflower was a staple growing up. My dad I would drizzle malt vinegar over it. OMG, soooo good! Now, I would use balsamic.
alisamarie says
Now that’s an interesting family recipe tradition!
Jenn S. says
HaHa! I guess it seems a little odd looking back on it, but I loved it as a kid and I still do!! 🙂
Becky says
Love this no-mess breading trick. I’m definitely going to try these! Maybe I can get my toddler to reconsider his stance on cauliflower.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Becky! They are quite spicy if you use the buffalo sauce. My kids tend to like spicy, but just a fair warning in case yours doesn’t. 🙂 Enjoy!
Bianca says
These look amazing! So, so, so good! I love the simple vegan ranch dip – haha, sometimes it has to be quick and easy so this one would be perfect for those times!
Jenn S. says
Yes, totally! I don’t usually take the easy way, but sometimes you just gotta do it! Thanks, Bianca! Please let me know if you try them!
The vegan 8 says
These look wonderful and so crispy!! I don’t like cauliflower (weirdo I know!), but these would change that, the texture looks spot on! Love that dipping ranch too!
Jenn S. says
What? First bananas, now cauliflower!! The horror! LOL! Thanks, Brandi!
mannaxc says
I just made this and am in awe. It’s so good. Finally a replacement for wings.
Jenn S. says
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know! Enjoy!