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Easy Crispy Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

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These healthy baked buffalo cauliflower bites are crispy, spicy, and incredibly satisfying. Made with simple pantry ingredients and a clever two-step baking method, they deliver all the flavor of buffalo wings without the deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower (about 2 pounds / 900g), cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) unsweetened almond milk (or any milk)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) buffalo wing sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (or vegan butter or olive oil)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Wash and thoroughly dry the cauliflower. Cut into uniform, bite-sized florets (about 1.5 to 2 inches wide). Set aside in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, almond milk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.
  4. Pour the batter over the cauliflower florets and gently toss to coat every piece evenly.
  5. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the battered florets in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, until the cauliflower is starting to turn golden brown on the edges and the batter looks dry and matte.
  7. While the cauliflower is baking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat (or microwave), combine the buffalo wing sauce and melted butter. Whisk until fully incorporated and warm.
  8. Remove the cauliflower from the oven. Transfer the baked florets back to the large bowl, pour the warm buffalo sauce over them, and gently toss to coat every piece.
  9. Return the sauced florets to the baking sheet in a single layer.
  10. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the sauce is caramelized and the edges are browned.
  11. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the cauliflower thoroughly—moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use a wire rack on the baking sheet for even crispier results. The second bake is crucial for re-crisping the coating after adding the sauce. For extra heat, add cayenne to the batter or sriracha to the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, baked buffalo cauliflower, healthy buffalo cauliflower, crispy cauliflower bites, vegetarian appetizer, game day snack, gluten-free buffalo cauliflower, vegan buffalo cauliflower

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/easy-crispy-baked-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-healthy-recipe/