Enjoy these crispy, flavorful buffalo cauliflower bites, a perfect vegetarian game-day snack. Baked or air-fried, they offer the taste of buffalo wings without the meat.
Author:Carla Davis
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking/Air Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: Ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving
Optional: Celery sticks for serving
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if baking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, salt, and pepper to create a batter.
In a separate shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess batter drip off.
Roll the battered cauliflower in the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs.
Arrange the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
While the cauliflower is cooking, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce, melted butter, and white vinegar in a small bowl.
Once the cauliflower is cooked, toss it gently in the buffalo sauce mixture until evenly coated.
Return the sauced cauliflower to the oven or air fryer for an additional 2-3 minutes to set the sauce.
Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Notes
For extra crispy bites, ensure cauliflower florets are dry before battering.
If you prefer a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your spice preference.
These bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in an oven or air fryer for optimal crispness.