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These 6-ingredient vegan cauliflower buffalo wings are loaded with rich, tangy, spicy buffalo flavor and perfect for game days, BBQs, parties, & potlucks for meat eaters and vegans alike!

completed Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings [Baked + Air Fried] scattered on a white surface
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Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Buffalo cauliflower wings are a crowd-pleasing appetizer and game-day favorite even meat-eaters will love. Crispy outside, tender inside, and bursting with addictively spicy, tangy flavor, they offer all the satisfaction of traditional buffalo wings without the meat. Even better, theyโ€™re baked instead of deep-fried, making them healthier, with lower calories, carbs, and fat. Theyโ€™re also vegan and can be made gluten-free, Paleo, keto, etc.

With just 6 inexpensive pantry ingredients and minimal prep time, youโ€™ll have this comforting, crowd-pleasing snack, appetizer, or side ready in no time – perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce, using in wraps or salads, and more.

You might also enjoy BBQ cauliflower wings, breaded cauliflower, spicy roasted cauliflower, or easy buffalo tofu.

The Ingredients

Refer to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and substitutes.

Recipe Variations

If you want to add more flavor to the buffalo sauce or vegan cauliflower wings, try:

  • For extra protein: Replace the AP flour with chickpea flour.
  • Vegan Worcestershire sauce: (Like โ€˜Annieโ€™s) Add a splash for a subtle but delicious tang.
  • Maple syrup: To add subtle sweetness to the buffalo glaze.
  • Smoked paprika: To add smokiness to the sauce or batter.
  • Cayenne pepper: For more heat.
  • Scallions/chives/parsley: To garnish the buffalo roasted cauliflower wings.

How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions.

process shot of adding cauliflower to bowl of flour mixture
process shot of mixing flour ingredients in a bowl

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450F/230C, line a baking tray with parchment paper, and separate the cauliflower into even-sized wings or bite-sized cauliflower โ€˜bites.โ€™

Step 2: In a wide bowl, combine the flour, water, and seasonings and mix well to create a batter, then toss the cauliflower pieces into it, ensuring theyโ€™re evenly coated.

Depending on the size of your head of cauliflower, you may need extra batter.

process shot of adding cauliflower to baking sheet

Step 3: Spread the battered cauliflower over the prepared baking tray and bake for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the vegan buffalo sauce by mixing the hot sauce and melted vegan butter.

Step 4: Toss the par-baked vegan wings into the hot sauce mixture (or brush them with it), bake for another 8 minutes, then toss them in the sauce again and return to the oven for 25-30 minutes. Finally, remove the baked buffalo cauliflower wings from the oven and leave them to cool for 5 minutes before serving โ€“ optionally brushed with any remaining buffalo sauce. Enjoy!

When ready, theyโ€™ll be tender in the middle and crispy on the outside. If there isnโ€™t enough buffalo sauce, make a little more.

FAQs

How to make keto buffalo cauliflower?

Use almond meal instead of regular flour and a keto-friendly vegan butter or coconut oil.

Why are my cauliflower wings not crispy?

If you overcrowd them on the tray, the cauli wings will steam rather than crisp up. Undercooking them could also be the cause.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • For extra crispy cauliflower wings: Broil for 1-3 minutes at the end.
  • Adjust the spice level: For milder wings, add more vegan butter. For a hotter sauce, reduce the vegan butter or add cayenne.
  • Use parchment paper: Otherwise, the cauliflower WILL stick.
  • Batter and sauce amounts vary: Adjust the quantities based on the cauliflower size.
  • Donโ€™t crowd them: The hot air needs to circulate the vegan buffalo cauliflower wings to make them crispy.

What To Serve With Buffalo Cauliflower?

Enjoy the roasted buffalo cauliflower as a tasty game day snack, appetizer, or even part of a main, alongside:

You can also serve the crispy buffalo cauliflower over cheesy vegan mac and cheese, to make a BBQ or buffalo cauliflower veggie wrap, in vegan tacos (like these vegetable fajita tacos), as a pizza topping, as part of a salad or buddha bowl, etc.

Storage Instructions

Make ahead: Prepare the florets, buffalo sauce, and batter separately up to 2 days in advance. Store in the fridge and bring to room temperature before using.

Fridge: These vegan buffalo wings are crispiest directly after cooking. However, any leftovers will store in an airtight container in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Freezer: For best results, freeze the battered cauliflower par-baked, just before youโ€™d add sauce. Flash-freeze until solid and store for 3-4 months in a Ziplock/Stasher bag. Bake from frozen, adding time โ€“ though they may not be as crispy.

Reheat: Bake the vegan hot wings at 350F/175C for 10-15 minutes (or air fryer for 3-5 minutes). Flip halfway.

Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

5 from 62 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
These 6-ingredient vegan cauliflower buffalo wings are loaded with rich, tangy, spicy buffalo flavor and perfect for game days, BBQs, parties, & potlucks for meat eaters and vegans alike!

Ingredients 

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • ยฝ cup + 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (can sub whole wheat or gluten-free flour)
  • ยฝ cup of water
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon of onion powder (optional)
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vegan butter
  • ยฝ cup of buffalo sauce (or more for extra spice)

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Meanwhile, chop the cauliflower into 'wing' sizes, or bite-sized pieces. Mix together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a bowl. Toss the cauliflower pieces with this flour mixture, making sure to coat the pieces well. Add extra flour or water if necessary.
  • Place the cauliflower on a prepared pan and cook for 8 minutes. Prepare the hot sauce coating by mixing the vegan butter and hot sauce in a bowl. Toss the cauliflower and continue cooking on the pan for 8 more minutes.
  • Remove the cauliflower from the oven and place into the hot sauce bowl. Coat each piece throughout (adding more hot sauce if desired) and cook again for 25 to 30 minutes in the oven, or until crispy.
  • Remove the cauliflower from the oven and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

As an appetizer option, plate it on top of some romaine lettuce alongside some cucumber or celery with the dip and enjoy!
  • Adjust the spice level: For milder wings, add more vegan butter. For a hotter sauce, reduce the vegan butter or add cayenne.
  • Use parchment paper: Otherwise, the cauliflower WILL stick.
  • Batter and sauce amounts vary: Adjust the quantities based on the cauliflower size.
  • Donโ€™t crowd them: The hot air needs to circulate the vegan buffalo cauliflower wings to make them crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1427mgPotassium: 611mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin C: 92mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Shannon
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Method: Oven
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! ๐Ÿ™‚
5 from 62 votes (51 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for this great satisfying recipe for Buffalo Cauliflower! I made them for Superbowl Game Day. I used oat flour with 2Tbs corn starch. They were delicious and spicy, but not so crispy as I oven baked them (I don’t have an air fryer). I made a dipping sauce with cashew yogurt, TJs Ranch spice mix, lemon pepper and dijon mustard. Nice to have a new veggie forward hors d’oeuvre for entertaining.

    1. Rather than freezing the raw batter cauliflower wings, we recommend par-cooking them up to the point you would add buffalo sauce. Instead, leave them to cool and flash-freeze them on a baking tray. You can then store them in the freezer for 3-4 months and cook them from frozen (they may not be as crispy).

  2. 5 stars
    I love these buffalo cauliflower wings! They’re incredibly flavorful and super easy to make. Way better than store bought!

  3. 5 stars
    Even though I usually stay clear of cauliflower, this recipe is a must-make and I even forget that I’m eating cauliflower. SOO good!

  4. 5 stars
    I love how easy and delicious this recipe is.
    I made this, and my husband loves it so much.
    Now, he is asking me to make this for dinner.