Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings: The BEST Recipe!

Craving buffalo wings but looking for a healthier, vegetarian option? Look no further! These Cauliflower Buffalo Wings are the perfect appetizer or snack, offering all the flavor and satisfaction of traditional wings without the guilt. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions for making perfectly crispy buffalo cauliflower wings, along with tips and tricks for customizing them to your liking. You’ll learn how to make these in the air fryer or oven, with options for vegan and gluten-free diets.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

These buffalo cauliflower wings are a game-changer! I’ve perfected the recipe to deliver maximum flavor and crispiness.

Unique Twist: The addition of a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter elevates these buffalo cauliflower wings to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Cayenne’s Benefit: The cayenne adds a subtle heat that complements the buffalo sauce’s tang and the cauliflower’s sweetness, creating a more complex and satisfying flavor profile, thanks to the capsaicin.

Quick and Easy: These are quick and easy to make, perfect for weeknight cravings.

Healthier Alternative: It’s a healthier alternative to traditional chicken wings, packed with nutrients from the cauliflower.

Diet-Friendly: Naturally vegetarian and easily adaptable to vegan and gluten-free diets.

Ingredients Needed

• Small to medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite sized florets or 12 ounces florets (about 4 1/2 to 5 cups florets)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (I use Frank’s hot sauce)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Here are some tips and substitutions to ensure your Cauliflower Buffalo Wings turn out perfectly.

Cauliflower Selection: Choose a firm cauliflower head with tightly closed florets. Avoid heads with brown spots or a mushy texture. The size of the head will determine the number of wings you get. A medium head usually yields about 4-5 cups of florets.

Buffalo Sauce Options: Frank’s RedHot is the classic choice for buffalo hot sauce, but feel free to experiment with other brands like Texas Pete or Crystal. Adjust the amount to control the spice level.

Flour Types: All-purpose flour provides the best coating for these cauliflower wings, but you can substitute with a gluten-free blend like Bob’s Red Mill for a gluten-free version.

Dairy-Free Alternatives: Use your favorite plant-based milk, like soy milk or oat milk, instead of almond milk. Replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil for a vegan option.

Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your taste. Start with a small pinch and add more to taste. Start slow and increase incrementally!

How to Make Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Let’s get cooking! I’ll walk you through making these delicious wings in both the air fryer and the oven.

Air Fryer Method

1. Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (for that extra kick!). Add 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk and whisk until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower.
2. Coat the Cauliflower: Toss the cauliflower florets in the batter, ensuring they are evenly coated. Use your hands for best results!
3. Air Fry to Crispy Perfection: Place the battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Expert Tip: Ensure enough space between cauliflower florets to prevent sogginess. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, tossing them halfway through, until crispy and lightly browned. Sensory Cue: The cauliflower should be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch.
4. Make the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower is air frying, whisk together 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter in a large bowl until combined. Expert Tip: If Frank’s hot sauce was refrigerated, it may cause the butter to turn solid upon mixing. Place the hot sauce mixture back in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to melt the butter again.
5. Toss and Serve Immediately: Toss the air-fried cauliflower in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately with blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for dipping. Sensory Cue: The cauliflower should be glistening with the buffalo sauce, releasing a spicy and tangy aroma. Common Mistake: Failing to serve immediately after saucing, causing the wings to become soggy.

Oven Method

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk and whisk until smooth.
3. Coat the Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower florets in batter until evenly coated, making sure each floret is well-covered.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place battered florets onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until crispy and golden-brown, about 30 minutes.
5. Make the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower is baking, whisk together 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter in a large bowl, until combined.
6. Toss and Serve Immediately: Toss baked cauliflower in buffalo sauce until evenly coated. Best when served immediately (and with blue cheese dressing!).

Achieving Maximum Crispiness

Crispy buffalo cauliflower wings are the goal! Here’s how to get there.

Preheating the air fryer or oven is crucial. This ensures the cauliflower starts cooking immediately, preventing it from becoming soggy. The high heat helps to quickly evaporate any excess moisture. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or baking sheet. Work in batches if necessary to ensure each floret has enough space to crisp up properly.

Pat the cauliflower florets dry before coating them in batter to remove excess moisture. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness! Consider a double-battering technique for extra crispiness: dip in flour, then batter, then flour again. This creates a thicker, more protective coating. Remember that different models of air fryers cook at different rates, adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional content of these cauliflower wings.

These cauliflower wings are lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to traditional chicken wings, making them a healthier option. They’re also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, thanks to the cauliflower. Exact nutrition will vary slightly between the air fryer and oven methods. Air frying may result in slightly lower fat content as it requires less oil.

Using vegan butter will further reduce cholesterol content. Note that this analysis does not factor any dipping sauces.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Pro Tips

• For extra crispy wings, lightly coat the cauliflower florets in cornstarch before dipping them in the batter.
• Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper to the batter or by using a hotter buffalo sauce.
• If you don’t have almond milk, any other plant-based milk or regular milk will work just fine.
• To prevent the cauliflower from sticking to the air fryer basket or baking sheet, spray it with cooking oil before adding the florets.
• Serve immediately for the best texture. These are best enjoyed fresh!
• Experiment with different dipping sauces, such as ranch, vegan ranch, or even a sweet chili sauce.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the air fryer or baking sheet, which can lead to soggy wings.
• Not preheating the air fryer or oven properly.
• Using too much batter, which can make the wings heavy and greasy.
• Not tossing the wings in the buffalo sauce immediately after cooking, which can cause them to become less crispy.
• Using frozen cauliflower (fresh is best)

Serving & Storage

Serving Ideas

• Serve with classic dipping sauces like blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or vegan ranch dressing.
• Pair with carrot and celery sticks for a traditional buffalo wings experience.
• Offer a variety of dipping sauces to cater to different tastes.
• Consider serving with a side of coleslaw or a light salad.
• These wings are great as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal.
• Serve with vegan blue cheese dressing for vegan option.

Storage and Make-Ahead

• Store leftover cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
• For best results, do not freeze cooked cauliflower wings, as they will become soggy.
• You can prepare the cauliflower florets and batter ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Conclusion

These Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional chicken wings, perfect for satisfying your cravings without the guilt. The pinch of cayenne pepper adds a unique twist that elevates the flavor and makes them truly irresistible. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking for a tasty new recipe, these wings are sure to be a hit. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sauces and spices to create your own signature flavor. Click here for our spicy vegan blue cheese dressing recipe!

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about making these delicious cauliflower wings.

• Why are my cauliflower wings soggy?Soggy cauliflower wings are usually caused by overcrowding the air fryer or baking sheet, not preheating properly, or using too much batter. Make sure to follow the tips in the ‘Achieving Maximum Crispiness’ section for best results.
• Are cauliflower wings better for me than chicken wings?Cauliflower wings are generally lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol than chicken wings, making them a healthier option. They are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Is this recipe gluten-free and vegan?This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. To make it vegan, substitute the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil.
• What should I pair with buffalo cauliflower wings?Buffalo cauliflower wings pair well with classic dipping sauces like blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or vegan ranch dressing. They also go great with carrot and celery sticks.
• How long do these cauliflower wings last in the fridge?Leftover cauliflower wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Can I make buffalo cauliflower ahead of time?You can prepare the cauliflower florets and batter ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to cook. For the crispiest results, it’s best to cook and sauce the wings just before serving.

For more information on the nutritional benefits of cauliflower, you can visit the Harvard School of Public Health’s page on cauliflower.

To understand more about the science behind air frying and how it achieves crispy textures, explore this article on Serious Eats about air frying tips and tricks.