Description
These crispy oven baked buffalo cauliflower bites are a spicy, crunchy, and satisfying vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings. Coated in a flavorful hot sauce and baked until golden, they’re the perfect party appetizer or game day snack.
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium head of cauliflower, cut into 1–1½ inch pieces
- 3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs, scrambled
- 3⁄4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1⁄2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 tsp black pepper (divided)
- 1⁄2 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot Original)
- 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, salt, and pepper; one with beaten eggs; and one with panko, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each cauliflower piece in flour, then egg, then panko mixture, pressing gently to coat.
- Place coated cauliflower on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over low heat, combine hot sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, garlic powder, and remaining salt. Stir until smooth.
- Remove cauliflower from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then toss in the buffalo sauce until well coated.
- Serve immediately with ranch or bleu cheese dressing and celery and carrot sticks.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Substitute vegan parmesan to make it vegetarian-friendly.
- Add extra cayenne or hot sauce for more heat, or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Try a BBQ version by using barbecue sauce instead of buffalo sauce.
- Best served fresh for maximum crispiness—reheat in oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
