My latest obsession is this new Buffalo Cauliflower recipe and it's surprisingly easy to make! The secret is in the sauce - you'll want to make sure you have a good, hot sauce on hand. Serve this up as an appetizer at your next party or game day get-together and watch it disappear! Its the perfect vegetarian version of buffalo wings.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
If you've never had the pleasure of having Buffalo Cauliflower before, today is your day. While I love some tahini roasted Cauliflower or a centerpiece with a whole roasted cauliflower, this is one of my favorite ways to prepare Cauliflower and I will forever have all the ingredients on hand to whip this up at a moments notice.
There’s a wildly expensive grocery store here in LA that makes some of the most insane Buffalo cauliflower I’ve ever had - hello Erewhon I love you but I’ll be FLAT broke if I shop there every week. So instead of going there every time the craving strikes, I do myself (and my wallet) a favor by making my own version at home. The subtle heat playing off the creamy cauliflower with the crisped edges is so munch-worthy that this pretty much qualifies as a snack.
The other great thing about this recipe is that it's roasted rather than fried. Most versions you see in the wild, be it Erewhon or at a restaurant, are battered and fried. And while that is utterly delish, I don't have time to do that when the cravings strike!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Cauliflower
- Olive Oil
- Frank's RedHot Sauce
- Butter
- Lemon Juice
- Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic Labneh
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower
Step 1: Transfer cauliflower florets to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Step 2: Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, gently tossing the cauliflower halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting.
Step 3: After 25-30 minutes, remove. In a small bowl whisk together the hot sauce and melted butter.
Step 4: Turn the oven to broil. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the cauliflower florets and toss well to coat. Transfer the sheet pan back into the oven and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until extra crispy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
How to Store Buffalo Cauliflower
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. It is best to re-heat in an oven to keep the crisp texture! You can keep extra sauce if needed after re-heating.
How to Freeze Buffalo Cauliflower
While I prefer eating these fersh, you can also freeze these. It will be better to freeze the cauliflower first in a single spread out layer on the baking sheet before storing them in the freezer bag to keep them from sticking. It will stay good 3 months. Follow the same re-heating instructions, using an oven for best results!
Tips & Tricks
Watch carefully when broiling so the parchment paper doesn't catch on fire.
You can make this dish vegan by replacing the butter in the sauce with a plant-based substitute.
FAQs
What is buffalo cauliflower made of?
Buffalo cauliflower is a popular vegetarian alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, using cauliflower as the main ingredient. Here's a general idea of what Buffalo cauliflower is made of and how it's typically prepared:
Ingredients:
Cauliflower: This is the star ingredient, typically cut into bite-sized florets.
Batter: To coat the cauliflower, a batter is often made with flour, water, and seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Buffalo Sauce: This spicy sauce usually consists of hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot), melted butter, and possibly some vinegar, garlic powder, or other seasonings. Vegan versions may use a plant-based butter substitute.
What to Serve with Buffalo Cauliflower
I see this dish as a perfect side for any game day spread. Its basically healthy buffalo chicken.
So, if you’re looking for an easy, delicious dish for lunch or dinner, look no further than this easy buffalo cauliflower. It will definitely satisfy your cravings!
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Buffalo Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower cut into medium sized florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Frank's RedHot Sauce plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Garlic labneh to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Transfer cauliflower florets to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, gently tossing the cauliflower halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting.
- After 25-30 minutes, remove. In a small bowl whisk together the hot sauce and melted butter. Turn the oven to broil. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the cauliflower florets and toss well to coat.
- Transfer the sheet pan back into the oven and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until extra crispy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Watch carefully when broiling so the parchment paper doesn't catch on fire.
- You can make this dish vegan by replacing the butter in the sauce with a plant-based substitute.
This was so easy to make. Everyone loved it!
Can it be done without butter?
Where can I find that hot sauce?
This could just be the thing that makes a football game tolerable for me!!!!