Description
These Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a flavorful vegan appetizer perfect for game day or any snack craving. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated with a tangy, spicy hot sauce, they offer the classic buffalo wing experience without the meat. Paired with a cooling ranch dip, they’re a crowd-pleaser that’s healthy, easy to make, and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Wings
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- ¾ cup flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¾ cup unsweetened vegan milk (any kind)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup vinegar-based hot sauce (such as Frank's)
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- Cooling ranch dip for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Slowly add the vegan milk while whisking until you have a smooth, thick batter.
- Prep the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, about the size of traditional chicken wings. Pat them dry to help the batter stick better.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated. Then roll it in the panko breadcrumbs to cover completely. Place coated florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Cauliflower: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Bake the coated cauliflower wings on the baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through until they are golden and crispy.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce: While the wings bake, melt the vegan butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the hot sauce, garlic powder, and maple syrup until well combined. Remove from heat.
- Toss Wings in Sauce: When the cauliflower wings are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the buffalo sauce over them. Toss gently to coat all the wings evenly.
- Final Bake: Return the sauced wings to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes to set the sauce and achieve maximum crispiness.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo cauliflower wings hot with a cooling ranch dip on the side.
Notes
- Use a medium cauliflower to ensure the batter and sauce quantities are sufficient; if using a larger cauliflower, consider doubling the batter and sauce.
- For extra crispness, broil the wings for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Substitute nutritional yeast in the batter for an added cheesy flavor while keeping it vegan.
- Maple syrup balances the heat but can be adjusted or replaced with agave or brown sugar according to taste.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wing
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 157 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
