Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable)
Crispy cauliflower florets in spicy buffalo sauce. Perfect vegetarian appetizer or party snack ready in 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cauliflower
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
→ Batter
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Buffalo Sauce
09 - 1/4 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
→ Serving
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
13 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)
14 - Celery and carrot sticks (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until a smooth batter forms.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss to coat evenly.
04 - Arrange battered cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring pieces do not touch.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until lightly golden and crisp.
06 - Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup if using.
07 - Remove cauliflower from the oven. Using tongs, gently toss the hot cauliflower in the buffalo sauce until coated.
08 - Return coated cauliflower to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until edges are crispy and sauce is set.
09 - Sprinkle with fresh herbs if desired, and serve immediately with dipping sauce and vegetable sticks.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They get impossibly crispy in the oven while staying tender inside
- The buffalo sauce coating creates that perfect sticky finger situation
- Even confirmed vegetable skeptics end up asking for the recipe
02 -
- Crowding the baking sheet is the enemy of crispy cauliflower, so use two pans if necessary
- Letting them cool for just 5 minutes after the final bake helps the sauce set so they don't slide right off
03 -
- Pat your cauliflower florets dry before battering them, excess water prevents proper crisping
- Serve immediately while they're at their crispest, they're worth the timing coordination