Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable Format)
Crispy oven-baked cauliflower with spicy buffalo sauce makes a flavorful, satisfying vegetarian snack.
# What You Need:
→ Cauliflower
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
→ Batter
02 - 3/4 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 - 1/3 cup hot sauce (Frank's RedHot or similar)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
→ Serving
12 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for dipping
13 - Celery sticks, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the 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 smooth.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss until evenly coated.
04 - Place coated florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until lightly golden and beginning to crisp.
05 - In a small bowl, combine hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup if using.
06 - Remove cauliflower from oven and gently toss with the buffalo sauce until fully coated.
07 - Return the sauced florets to the baking sheet and bake an additional 10 minutes, until crispy and slightly browned.
08 - Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It's like sharing a secret party snack that everyone asks for again
- The easy preparation means you get more time enjoying and less time cooking
02 -
- Don't skip flipping the florets halfway through baking to get that perfect crunch all around
- Choosing a good quality hot sauce makes all the difference in flavor depth
03 -
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking
- Adjust the baking time slightly if your florets are larger or smaller for an ideal crunch