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Best Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: Easy Game Day Recipe

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Crispy, spicy, and kid-approved baked buffalo cauliflower bites that come together in about 30 minutes. Perfect for game day, movie nights, or any time you want that tangy buffalo flavor without the mess of wings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower (about 2 pounds or 900g), cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) buffalo hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot Original)
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Wash the cauliflower head and cut it into bite-sized florets (about 1 to 1.5 inches wide). Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth (batter should be thick but pourable, like pancake batter).
  4. Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss gently until each piece is evenly coated. Let any excess batter drip off before placing on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Arrange the coated florets in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they are not touching.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, flip each floret with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
  7. While the cauliflower bakes, whisk together the buffalo hot sauce and melted butter in a small bowl. If using honey or maple syrup, add it now.
  8. After 20 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using a pastry brush or spoon, generously brush each floret with the buffalo sauce on both sides.
  9. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the edges are deep golden brown.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.

Notes

For extra crispiness, use an air fryer: preheat to 400°F (200°C), cook battered florets for 10 minutes, flip, brush with sauce, and cook 3-4 more minutes. To make dairy-free, use unsweetened almond milk and dairy-free butter. For a mild version, reduce buffalo sauce to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup ketchup or barbecue sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in oven or air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, baked cauliflower bites, game day appetizer, vegetarian wings, healthy snack, cauliflower recipe

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/best-baked-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-easy-game-day-recipe/