Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (2024)

(updated April 10, 2020) // by Phoebe Lapine // 23 comments

5 from 4 votes

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Over six years ago, when I was down in Nashville for my friend Sarah’s bachelorette party, the most memorable thing we ate was not the BBQ brisket or the southern-style pecan pancakes. It was the buffalo cauliflower bites.

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (1)

For our Saturday night dinner we went to Tavern, a modern sports bar-esque restaurant that serves up creative gastro-pub fare. We ordered nearly the whole menu and shared everything. The best thing (by far) was the dish of buffalo cauliflower bites, which is impressive considering they had three types of French fries.

The battered florets reminded me of one of my all-time favorite dishes: Manchurian cauliflower from Devi restaurant. It was the subject of my first ever blog post, and perhaps because of that, loosely responsible for my decision to quit my day job and work full time in the food industry.

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (2)Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (3)

Though it was not relevant at the time, one of the best things about the Manchurian cauliflower recipe is that it uses cornstarch instead of flour for the batter. I knew that this was probably not the case with the southern buffalo cauliflower, but back then I was a little looser with my gluten-freedom and took a few bites anyway before tearing myself away from the basket.

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (4)Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (5)Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (6)

When I got home, I was particularly keen to reinvent the dish as a healthified gluten-free finger food.

I’ve made these bites many ways, using the corn starch base and pan-frying and more recently, as in this version, using chickpea flour and baking it in the oven, which held up very well to the wing sauce. I’d venture to say that this version is even better than the original, though who can really remember the nuances of that dish after so much Bourbon.

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (7)Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (8)

For those of you gluten-free, vegetarian folks who want a little indulgence at your summer BBQ, this basket of cauliflower wings is perfect.

With health and hedonism,

Phoebe

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (9)

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (10)

5 from 4 votes

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If you’re looking for game day food that checks all the health boxes—i.e. gluten-free, plant-based, unfried—then this riff on your favorite wings is the ticket! Cauliflower holds us especially well to battering, even if said batter is made up of chickpea flour and water instead of white flour and beer.Once you coat every little floret, you bake the cauliflower at a high temp until crispy and golden. Of course, regarding the next step, I would never deprive you of the classics—toss those babes in your favorite traditional hot sauce (I like Frank’s Red Hot) and a little melted ghee or butter, if you’re feeling cheeky. Instead of sour cream or ranch dressing, make due with a little tangy, cooling Greek yogurt to take the heat off.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 head cauliflower cut into small florets
  • 1/3 cup hot sauce I like Frank’s Red Hot
  • 2 tablespoons ghee melted
  • Greek yogurt for serving
  • Celery sticks for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat.

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, water, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Allow the batter to sit for 10 minutes while you prep the cauliflower.

  • Toss the cauliflower in the chickpea batter until well coated. Transfer the cauliflower to the baking sheet using a slotted spoon, shaking off any excess batter, and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes, rotating once halfway through, until crispy and lightly browned.

  • Meanwhile, in another medium mixing bowl, combine the hot sauce and melted ghee.

  • Toss the crispy cauliflower with the buffalo sauce and serve immediately alongside celery sticks and yogurt for dipping.

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (11)If you make this, tag @phoebelapine and #feedmephoebe - I'd love to see it!

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (12)

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Comments

  1. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (13)Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says

    I love any kind of fried vegetable. My husband hates veggies but loves anything buffalo, this might be a great compromise meal!

    Reply

  2. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (14)Frankie says

    This is such a good idea it could make me watch football. Nah.

    Reply

  3. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (15)Raffaella says

    I’m wondering if we can substitute the Red Hot for powdered curries.

    Reply

    • Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (16)Phoebe Lapine says

      you mean the hot sauce for a curry powder? I don’t think I’d recommend this. You need some moisture. The manchurian cauli uses ketchup. You could definitely add curry powder to that. Or just melt more butter and make it a curry butter. But I think the acidity of the sauce is what really goes well with the fried florets.

  4. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (17)kami says

    thank you for this recipe! it was so delicous!!!!! i will be making it again. my hubby even had seconds and doens’t really like cauliflower. 🙂

    Reply

    • Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (18)Phoebe Lapine says

      amazing!! thanks so much for taking the time to report back! thrilled you got him to eat his veg – even if they were fried 🙂

      Reply

  5. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (19)Elaine says

    Hello, I’m Elaine. I love food blogs. My favorite is yours and “Cooking With Mr. C.” on Facebook. (also a blog) Between the two of you, I get the best recipes. Keep them coming. Elaine.

    Reply

    • Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (20)Phoebe Lapine says

      Thank you SO much Elaine!! I’m thrilled you like the site. It’s always great getting positive feedback, so I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a few kind words. Sometimes blogging can feel like you’re working in a vacuum! Please let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see – recipes, advice, or otherwise. xox P

      Reply

  6. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (21)eric says

    Great looking stuff!

    I am going to try it but using a Beer Batter for the coating. I have always found this simple batter to be outstanding on fish and onion rings.
    It always turns out light and flaky, the first batches go into the oven to keep warm as the ‘plot thickens’.

    Even good cold, days later.

    Walmart sells a really nice pre-mixed batter, Louisiana fish or chicken fry I think it’s called. All the spicy stuff is already in it, but you can douse it with Franks if you dare.

    Reply

    • Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (22)Phoebe Lapine says

      Thanks, Eric! Let me know how it turns out. Perhaps I can replicate with a GF beer batter. Like the one I use for my fish and chips. Cheers!

      Reply

  7. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (23)Debbie says

    This was amazing!!! My Daughter-in-Law doesn’t like cauliflower, and turned up her nose at this dish. I made her try one, and she was hooked!! She had two bowlfulls!! I couldn’t stop eating them! My husband, who hates everything vegetable, ate them, and said they were good. Fabulous dish!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  8. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (24)Ellen says

    Do you think this will be ok about 4 hours later room temp. Want to bring to a potluck.

    Reply

    • Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (25)Phoebe Lapine says

      well it won’t be crispy anymore like buffalo chicken…which is really best out of the fryer. so i’d say maybe choose something else? let me know if i can make any suggestions!

      Reply

  9. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (26)gezondheidsproducten bloggers says

    Ziet er gezond uit,.

    Reply

  10. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (27)Rosamonde Simone @ KetoBotyToneAvis says

    Your recipe buffalo-cauliflower is looking so yummy. I am going to try it this weekend. Thank you.

    Reply

  11. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (28)suzie says

    Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (29)
    Oh, wow! Thank you for this amazing recipe! I can’t believe how easy it is to make!

    Reply

  12. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (30)Harry George says

    Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (31)
    thanks for sharing great recipe yummi

    Reply

  13. Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (32)Mark Burnett says

    It looks so yum, thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Reply

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe | Vegetarian (2024)

FAQs

Why are my cauliflower bites soggy? ›

If your buffalo cauliflower bites are soggy, it's likely because they were not tossed with the sauce while hot. Be sure to add them to the bowl with the sauce as soon as they come out of the oven so that they stay nice and crispy.

How do you cook wholly veggie buffalo cauliflower wings? ›

Cooking Instructions: Oven/Toaster Oven: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Arrange frozen cauliflower into a single layer on a baking sheet. Parchment paper preferred. Bake 23-25 minutes to desired crispness, flipping halfway.

Why is my cauliflower not crispy? ›

Cauliflower has a very high water content, so it won't get crispy if you bake the florets crowded together. "Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay.

Why aren t my cauliflower wings crispy? ›

Tricks to The Crispiest Cauliflower Wings

Make sure each wing has plenty of space on the baking sheet. The airflow helps things crisp up. Make sure you're using fresh, not soggy or stale, breadcrumbs. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

Is buffalo cauliflower healthier than wings? ›

Definitely! These cauliflower wings are a healthy vegan alternative to traditional buffalo wings. They're baked instead of fried, low-carb and there's no added sugar.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Are cauliflower wings healthier than chicken? ›

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are the perfect comfort food. The whole recipe contains under 300 calories. A lot better for you than chicken wings with far fewer calories and fat. These Vegan and Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower wings are also higher in fibre and cholesterol-free.

What protein pairs well with cauliflower? ›

Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream. Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell.

Why is it called buffalo cauliflower? ›

My Buffalo Cauliflower Wing Sauce

Named after Buffalo, New York, its city of origin, this rich, tangy, spicy condiment earned its fame as a sauce for regular chicken wings. It's traditionally made with a cayenne pepper hot sauce like Frank's RedHot, melted butter, and vinegar.

What do you serve with buffalo bites? ›

The best side dishes to serve with buffalo chicken are blooming onion, crispy green beans, celery and carrot sticks, coleslaw, loaded potato skins, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, French fries, blue cheese stuffed mushrooms, grilled vegetables, sweet potato fries, and green salad.

Should you rinse cauliflower before cooking? ›

The separated florets have to be washed properly under a tap. This removes dirt and large parasites such as worms. The next step is cleaning the cauliflower in mildly warm water in which a little salt was dissolved. This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites.

How do you know when cauliflower is cooked? ›

Season the florets with salt and pepper, and cover the pot. Let them steam until the tip of a knife or fork can be inserted easily without resistance, 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size. The ideal steamed cauliflower should read al dente, never mushy.

How do you get moisture out of cauliflower? ›

The best way to deal with the liquid is to put the riced cauliflower in a covered microwave-safe dish, heat it thoroughly to get all the liquid out of it you can, then drain it. If you have to cook it on the stovetop, add as little water as possible and stir frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan.

How do you keep cauliflower fresh and crisp? ›

How to Store Cauliflower in the Fridge. Store fresh cauliflower heads in a loosely closed or perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. Cauliflower needs air circulation, so don't seal or knot the bag closed (If you bought a plastic-wrapped head of cauliflower from the grocery store, just loosen up the knot).

How do you get the liquid out of cauliflower? ›

Once the riced cauliflower has been cooked (or thawed), transfer it to a clean, thin dishtowel. Wrap up the steamed rice in the dishtowel, twist it up, then SQUEEZE all the excess moisture out!

How do you keep frozen cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

When prepping frozen veggies, make sure to fully cover each piece in a thin layer of oil, like extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or coconut oil. The fat will help your cauliflower or corn crisp up evenly on the outside while keeping its interior tender. Simply hand-toss them in a bowl with oil to evenly coat them.

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