Vegan Buffalo cauliflower bites are simple, tangy and delicious! These “healthier” oven roasted cauliflower wings are made without breading to keep it easy. Best of all, they can be made in under 35 minutes (we love quick and easy recipes)!
Flourless Buffalo cauliflower bites are especially popular during football season, particularly for the Super Bowl! Serve these roasted vegan wings alongside a tahini ranch dipping sauce. The cooling, creamy vegan ranch pairs perfectly with the slightly spicy Buffalo sauce.
Speaking of Buffalo sauce, did you know it originated in Buffalo, New York in 1964? Classic buffalo sauce combines cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter. This simple vegan version uses Frank’s Hot Sauce and a splash of maple syrup for sweetness!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Cauliflower wings are a healthier, vegan friendly adaptation of classic Buffalo chicken wings.
- They can be used in a variety of ways! Not only are Buffalo cauliflower wings great on their own, you can add them to salads, wraps, grain bowls or even mac and cheese!
- This easy appetizer recipe is made without flour or batter, and without milk. This makes for quicker preparation and an easier clean up!
Ingredient Notes
- Cauliflower - you will need two heads of cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets. To save prep time, you can buy pre-cut cauliflower.
- Spice Rub - garlic powder, salt, onion powder.
- Buffalo sauce - you will need a cayenne pepper based hot sauce such as Frank’s or Texas Pete, along with maple syrup for added sweetness! Or simply buy your own vegan Buffalo sauce such as the one from Primal Kitchen.
- Tahini ranch dipping sauce - while this is optional, it pairs SO well with wings! You’ll need tahini, water, lemon, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley and salt.
Substitutions and Variations
- Honey Garlic - use ½ cup of honey (or agave to keep it vegan) and 2 cloves of minced garlic in place of the Buffalo sauce.
- Teriyaki wings - use teriyaki sauce in place of Buffalo sauce.
- Spicier - add ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice rub on the cauliflower.
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings - use your air fryer instead of an oven to cook the wings. Air fry at 400 degrees for 15 minutes to start.
How to Make Homemade Cauliflower Wings
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, make the Buffalo sauce. Mix together the hot sauce and the maple syrup. Set aside.
Make the tahini ranch dip if using. Thoroughly mix the tahini, ¼ cup of water, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley and salt together. Slowly mix in more water and stir until you reach the desired consistency. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
Toss the cauliflower, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder and salt together in a large bowl.
Spread the cauliflower florets out in an even layer on two baking sheets. Once the oven is preheated, roast the cauliflower for 25 minutes, stirring once at the halfway point.
Remove the cauliflower from the oven. Add the cauliflower to a large bowl with the buffalo sauce. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce until evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy!
Hint: Vegan Buffalo cauliflower bites are best tasting when they are served fresh out of the oven. They will turn mushy if they sit for long.
Tips and Tricks
- Use parchment paper on your baking sheets for a quick and easy clean up.
- I recommend using two baking sheets for this recipe.
- Do not overcrowd the cauliflower on the baking sheets. If you do, they will not crisp up as much.
- Place the cauliflower florets cut side down to help them brown.
Storing and Reheating
Buffalo cauliflower bites will be best tasting fresh from the oven! If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat leftover cauliflower wings, simply pop them back in the oven (425 degrees) for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can air fry them (at 400 degrees) for 5 minutes to reheat them. They will likely be crispier if using an air fryer to reheat.
Buffalo Cauliflower Meal Ideas
These cauliflower bites are easy to stretch into a full meal rather than an appetizer or side!
- Turn it into a big salad! Chop up romaine lettuce, carrots and celery as the base for your salad. Top it off with roasted buffalo cauliflower bites, green onions and a drizzle of tahini ranch dressing!
- Add buffalo cauliflower to a wrap or sandwich with lettuce, cucumbers and red onion!
- Serve a grain bowl with quinoa, buffalo cauliflower, garbanzo beans, diced carrots and celery and pickled red onions.
- Add cauliflower bites to a bowl of mac and cheese for a spicy twist!
Frequently Asked Questions
Well to be honest, no because cauliflower is very different than chicken. The flavors will be similar due to the buffalo sauce but the texture will be different.
Cauliflower wings can become mushy or soggy for a few reasons. If they are over crowded on a baking sheet they will steam rather than roast, causing them to become mushier. They can also become mushy if they are overcooked. Another cause for sogginess is if the wings are not enjoyed immediately. The longer they sit out, the more they will lose any crispiness.
Buffalo wings are classically paired with either blue cheese dressing or ranch. I recommend serving these vegan wings with a side of vegan tahini ranch dip. It pairs nicely and helps cool the hotness of the wings.
Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (No Breading)
Ingredients
- 2 heads of cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Frank’s hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
Optional: Tahini Ranch Dip:
- ½ cup tahini
- ¼ cup water + ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, make the Buffalo sauce. Mix together the hot sauce and the maple syrup. Set aside.
- Optional: Make the tahini ranch dip if using. Thoroughly mix the tahini, ¼ cup of water, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley and salt together. Slowly mix in more water and stir until you reach the desired consistency. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
- Toss the cauliflower, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder and salt together in a large bowl.
- Spread the cauliflower florets out in an even layer on the sheet. Once the oven is preheated, roast the cauliflower for 25 minutes, stirring once at the halfway point. Remove the cauliflower from the oven.
- Add the cauliflower to a large bowl with the buffalo sauce. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce until evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy!
Notes
- I recommend using two baking sheets to roast the cauliflower. This will ensure the cauliflower does not get overcrowded in the oven. If the cauliflower is overcrowded it will not get as crispy.
- Try to place the cauliflower florets cut side down on the baking sheet to hep them brown.
- Enjoy the vegan Buffalo cauliflower wings with vegan ranch dip or add them to salads, wraps, grain bowls or even pasta!
- Note: the nutrition facts below do not include the nutritional information for the vegan ranch.
Em says
I like that this recipes does not require a batter. The cauliflower is so tasty especially with the tahini ranch!