Description
This Easy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe offers a delicious, spicy, and vegetarian appetizer perfect for game days or casual snacks. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these bites are coated in a flavorful buffalo sauce that can be paired with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. The recipe is simple, quick, and adaptable for gluten-free diets by swapping the flour.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
Other
- Nonstick cooking spray or oil for baking
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Make Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Coat Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated with the batter.
- Arrange and Bake: Spread the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even cooking. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping the pieces over halfway through the baking time for uniform crispiness.
- Prepare Buffalo Sauce: While cauliflower bakes, mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter (if using) in a small bowl to combine flavors and enhance richness.
- Coat with Sauce: Remove the cauliflower from the oven and toss it gently but thoroughly with the buffalo sauce mixture until well-coated.
- Final Bake: Return the sauce-coated cauliflower to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the edges become crispy and slightly browned.
- Serve: Allow the buffalo cauliflower bites to cool slightly before serving. They pair wonderfully with ranch or blue cheese dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the cauliflower for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for a classic dipping option.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
