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Buffalo Cauliflower

Crispy, spicy buffalo cauliflower bites that deliver all the satisfaction of traditional wings without any guilt, ready in just 30 minutes with a perfect golden crust and tangy buffalo sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cauliflower
  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened plant milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Buffalo Sauce
  • 1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank's RedHot works perfectly)
  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
  • celery sticks
  • vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, plant milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth. The batter should coat the back of a spoon without being too thick. If it seems too thick, add a tablespoon more plant milk.
  2. Pat your cauliflower florets completely dry with paper towels. Working in batches, dip each floret into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then place on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure florets aren't touching each other.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes until the coating is set and lightly golden. The florets should feel firm when gently pressed with a fork, and the batter should no longer look wet or pale.
  4. While the cauliflower bakes, melt vegan butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder until completely smooth. Keep it warm on low heat.
  5. Remove the cauliflower from the oven and immediately transfer to a large bowl. Pour the warm buffalo sauce over the florets and toss gently but thoroughly using tongs. Return to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the sauce caramelizes slightly and the edges become deeply golden.
  6. Serve immediately while hot from the oven alongside fresh celery sticks and creamy vegan ranch.

Notes

Pat cauliflower florets completely dry before coating for maximum crispiness. Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give each piece space for proper air circulation. Serve immediately while hot to maintain crispiness. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in 400°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it makes coating soggy. Can prep cauliflower florets and batter up to 24 hours in advance, but coat and bake just before serving for best results.