Big Game Buffalo Cauliflower (Printable)

Spicy crispy cauliflower bites coated in tangy buffalo sauce, ideal for flavorful snacking or appetizers.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Batter

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Buffalo Sauce

09 - ⅔ cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ For Serving

12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
13 - Celery sticks
14 - Carrot sticks
15 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
02 - Whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth batter forms.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to batter, tossing to coat evenly.
04 - Arrange battered cauliflower in single layer on prepared baking sheet, shaking off excess batter.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until beginning to brown.
06 - Whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup if using in small bowl.
07 - Remove cauliflower from oven and gently toss with buffalo sauce to coat.
08 - Return cauliflower to baking sheet and bake for additional 15 minutes, until crispy and deeply golden.
09 - Transfer to serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with celery, carrots, and dressing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They convert even the most dedicated meat eaters who swear theyd never enjoy cauliflower
  • The batter creates this impossibly light and crispy texture that actually holds up under sauce
  • They disappear faster than you can plate them, so you might want to make a double batch
02 -
  • Don't skip the parchment paper or silicone mat. Cleaning baked-on buffalo sauce from a bare baking sheet will make you regret everything.
  • Letting the battered cauliflower sit too long before baking makes the coating soggy. Get it into the oven as soon as it's coated.
  • The second bake time is crucial. Underbaked wings will be soft and sad, so wait for that deep golden color before removing them.
03 -
  • A wire cooling rack placed over your baking sheet creates maximum airflow for the crispiest results
  • Leftovers (if you somehow have them) reheat beautifully in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes, though the microwave will make them sad and soggy

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