Buffalo cauliflower wings, baked, delicious, and gluten-free. They're so easy to prepare and to make them you only need natural and inexpensive ingredients.
I am obsessed with these Buffalo cauliflower wings! They are so delicious, healthy (as they are baked and not fried!), and easy to make, as well as gluten-free. It truly was love at first taste for me, and now I just can't stop eating them!
Store-bought Buffalo wing sauce usually contains lots of preservatives and additives, so I decided to make the sauce myself to make sure it only contains the ingredients I want it to.
Besides, if you try to make this recipe at home, you can customize it with your favorite ingredients and serve it however you'd like: it's great as an appetizer or snack for parties with friends or family.
Buffalo cauliflower wings, one of my go-to recipes when I have to prepare a good dish for a party or an event, as they are SO tasty, simple, and easy to prepare. I'm sure everyone will love them!
How to make Buffalo cauliflower wings - Step by step
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF or 230ºC.
- Wash and cut the cauliflower head into bite-sized pieces or florets (photo 1).
- Mix the batter ingredients in a bowl until well combined (photo 2).
- Dip each floret into the batter and coat evenly (photo 3). Shake off the excess and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet (photo 4).
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping over the florets halfway through (photo 5).
- To make the Buffalo wings sauce you can mix all the ingredients in a bowl or add them to a blender and blend until smooth (photo 6).
- After that, pour the sauce into a mixing bowl (photo 7).
- Toss the baked florets in the sauce (photo 8), 1 or 2 pieces at a time. Shake off the excess and place them back on the baking sheet (photo 9).
- Bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown, flipping over the florets halfway through (photo 10).
- Serve immediately.
Pro tips
- Feel free to use store-bought Buffalo wings sauce or even mix hot sauce with some tahini.
- Use any type of vinegar.
- You can substitute the tamari or soy sauce for salt (although in that case, you should add 2 tablespoon of water as well).
- Feel free to replace the tahini with extra virgin olive oil or any other kind of oil (you may need to add less water though).
- Add, change, or replace the spices you'd like.
- The sauce is pretty spicy, so I suggest you add about ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne powder first, then taste it and add more of it if needed.
What are Buffalo cauliflower wings?
Buffalo cauliflower wings are a vegan version of the traditional Buffalo wings. They are made of cauliflower instead of chicken and I made an even healthier version because I baked them instead of frying them. They are completely cholesterol-free and as tasty and good as the original ones!
How long will these Buffalo cauliflower wings keep?
Remember to keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the oven until they are warm enough, just be careful not to burn them!
How to serve these Buffalo cauliflower wings
You can serve them with lots of different vegan sauces. I LOVE how they go with this vegan ranch dressing, but they would also taste amazing with some vegan sour cream, healthy ketchup, or healthy barbecue sauce. Go ahead and get creative!
Looking for more cauliflower recipes?
Did you make this Buffalo cauliflower wings recipe?
Please leave a comment below, share it, or rate it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I’d love to see what you cook!
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Ingredients
For the cauliflower wings:
- 1 cauliflower head
For the batter:
- 1 cup plant milk, I used soy milk
- ¾ cup flour, use gluten-free if needed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Buffalo wings sauce:
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon tahini
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF or 230ºC.
- Wash and cut the cauliflower head into bite-sized pieces or florets.
- Mix the batter ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
- Dip each floret into the batter and coat evenly. Shake off the excess and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping over the florets halfway through.
- To make the Buffalo wings sauce you can mix all the ingredients in a bowl or add them to a blender and blend until smooth.
- After that, pour the sauce into a mixing bowl.
- Toss the baked florets in the sauce, 1 or 2 pieces at a time. Shake off the excess and place them back on the baking sheet.
- Bake them for another 20 minutes or until golden brown, flipping over the florets halfway through.
- Serve with vegan ranch dressing, vegan sour cream, healthy ketchup, or healthy barbecue sauce. Go ahead and serve them with your favorite sauces or ingredients!
- Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Feel free to use store-bought Buffalo wings sauce or even mix hot sauce with some tahini.
- Use any type of vinegar.
- You can substitute the tamari or soy sauce for salt (although in that case, you should add 2 tablespoon of water as well).
- Feel free to replace the tahini with extra virgin olive oil or any other kind of oil (you may need to add less water though).
- Add, change, or replace the spices you'd like.
- The sauce is pretty spicy, so I suggest you add about ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne powder first, then taste it and add more of it if needed.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in September of 2017, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions and tips in September of 2020.
Erica Dorr says
My go to buffalo cauliflower recipe, I love it! I found I can simplify things by making the batter a little thicker, and dumping and mixing all cauliflower pieces in it, rather than dipping each floret separately. It's surely not as clean or aesthetic but a worthwhile time saver for me 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Erica! So glad to hear that 🙂
Kata says
Hi, do you think it’s possible to use oat flour instead of normal one?
Thanks
Iosune Robles says
Hi Kata! I haven't tried it myself but I think it would work 🙂
Armae Sutherland says
Made these for a party we has last night...OMG...DELICIOUS...the left over sauce was put out on the table and it went with everything😋
Iosune Robles says
Hi! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂
João says
Could I replace the tahini with something else?
Iosune Robles says
Hi! Feel free to replace the tahini with extra virgin olive oil or any other kind of oil (you may need to add less water though) 🙂
Ruth says
I made your tempura veg, last weekend and the sauce was amazing! Today I’m trying your buffalo cauliflower and ranch dressing. Looks great, thanks for the recipes!!
Iosune Robles says
Hi Ruth! I'm so glad you liked our buffalo cauliflower wings recipe!
AJ says
Thanks for such a cool recipe. Made this yesterday and they were awesome! Could I use this buffalo sauce for other recipes? Also could I freeze the sauce on its own?
Iosune Robles says
Hi! That's it, feel free to use it with other recipes 🙂 I haven't tried it myself but I think it's possible to freeze it!
Cheutalla Johnson says
Tasty wings with a spicy sauce will definitely make again.
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your kind comment 🙂 Have a nice day!
Kiera says
Hi! The sauce for this is amazing! I added more cayenne pepper to it to make it more spicy. However the cauliflower wings didn’t crisp enough as the batter was too runny. I tried adding more flour and it didn’t work. Perhaps I should use less milk next time. May I ask what you’d recommend? I’d love to nail these. Thanks for the recipe, it’s so tasty! 😊
Iosune Robles says
Hi Kiera! So glad you liked the sauce 🙂 Maybe you can try to bake it for a long time but lowering the temperature or add less milk next time!
Christina says
This is a delightful recipe - our now go to favourite when we invite people round. They are so tasty, healthy and hearty. Just delicious 🙂
Iosune Robles says
Yes Christina! Simple, tasty and healthy 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Logan says
I would have loved a more tangy or sour note to the sauce, but overall it was DELICIOUS and a great recipe. I added a bit of baking powder to the batter and used an air frier rather than an oven. Might add some white vinegar next time but I will definitely be making this again!
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your kind comment! That's great Logan! Have a nice day 🙂
Jana says
This looks yummy! Will have to give it a try as I’m eating me plant-based foods & loving them 😋
Iosune Robles says
Hi Jana! Hope you like it 🙂 Have a nice day!
Tamara says
Yuhuuui, I burned the cauliflower in the first 20 min.
Iosune Robles says
Hi Tamara! So glad you liked this recipe 🙂 Have a nice day!
Maya says
What is cayenne powder? I think I’m correct in understanding it is not the same as cayenne pepper, but chili powder keeps popping up when I search for cayenne powder. Is cayenne powder the same as chili powder?
Carlos says
They do sell cayenne pepper powder on my local stores but they don't sell it everywhere. However, one could find it on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Organic-Certified-2-89-Ounce-Container/dp/B0019I2FP0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=FFPLBC0S800M&dchild=1&keywords=cayenne+pepper+powder&qid=1592402729&sprefix=cayenne%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-6
There are cheaper available but I always go, and recommend, organic.
Hope this helps 😉
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your recommendation Carlos 🙂
Kimberly says
Can I use an air fryer? I would love to try these for girls night on Friday but would want the fried
Iosune says
Hi Kimberly! I've never tried it myself, but I think it could work 🙂
Christina McCarthy says
Made these for a hot sauce challenge so didn’t even do the ‘buffalo’ part but best recipe for cauliflower yet! Somehow the coating didn’t stay on as well for me but I’m sure next time it will be better. After cooking I wrapped up in foil and quickly reheated at party, stayed yummy!
Iosune says
Hi Christina! So glad you liked it 🙂 Thanks a lot!
Li. Liz Daly says
Absolutely delicious. My husband and I ate the whole batch! Will definitely be making these again! Thank you.
Iosune says
Hi! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you guys enjoyed it!
Erica says
This is my go to buffalo cauliflower wings recipe, I love it! My only adaptation is I add a bit extra flour to thicken the batter.
Iosune says
Hi Erica! I'm so happy to hear that 🙂
Connie says
Just made these! My head of cauliflower was large so I ran out of batter. (I used white rice flour instead of brown rice flour because that’s what I had. And I had my own hot sauce. I’ve had cauliflower wings in restaurants but I’m so happy to have found a way to make them at home. These are delicious and will definitely make them again! Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Connie! So glad you liked it 🙂
Taniya says
I'm making this right now!! It looks so good. I made this months ago but didn't enjoy it because at the time I didn't know I had a gluten sensitivity and used regular flour. Using gluten free flour now so fingers crossed!!
Iosune says
Hi Taniya! SO glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Cathy Bowen says
Hi,
I'm afraid my turned out completely different to your photo! They didn't brown at all. Yours look beautiful but they do look fried. Have you put the correct photo with this recipe? Anyway, thankyou, I will try again 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Cathy! This is the correct photo, my cauliflower is not fried, is baked. We always shared the proper pictures for every single recipe 🙂
Geoff says
Not bad. I used frozen cauliflower, so it was a little mushy, fresh would definitely have been better in relation to firmness. I made the ranch dip using silken, firm tofu instead of the cashews because I didn't have any on hand. Tasty recipe and will fill you up for sure. Throw a black bean salad on top of it and it's a good dish!!!
Iosune says
Hi Geoff! Try to use fresh cauliflower next time, you're going to love it 🙂
Amanda Taylor says
These came out perfect! I used oat flour and decreased the cayenne pepper. Thanks for the recipe! I'll be making it again.
Iosune says
Hi Amanda! You're so welcome 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Sarah says
This turned out exactly as I hoped. The batter gave them a nice breaded texture. I used Noble Made Medium buffalo sauce. Couldn't stop eating them, and can't wait to try these with a vegan ranch sauce next time.
Iosune says
Hi Sarah! I'm so happy to hear that 🙂 Hope you like the vegan ranch sauce as well!
Nikki says
This was my first attempt at Buffalo Cauliflower and it was amazing! The Mister, who is a true meat eater, gobbled up every teeny crumb off of his plate! I'll definitely be making it again. Next time I'll shake more of the batter off because it was a little wet, but still delicious! Looking forward to trying the ranch dressing too!
Iosune says
Hi Nikki! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂 Hope you also enjoy the ranch dressing!
Marie-France Morin says
I am in awe of finding such a well rounded recipes with so many possible variations! When I want to go vegan, try a recipe and it turns out exceptionally good, I hear the angels sing! It’s all about adaptability and you nailed this! You are a great recipe developer - keep it up! The only ingredient in changed was the soy/tamari sauce (I don’t eat soy) so I used coconut aminos and a little extra salt - turned out perfect in mu opinion!
Iosune says
Hi Marie-France! I'm so happy to hear that 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Patsy says
I made these last nite very mushy and burnt on sides and bottom cut time to 15 at the end instead of 20 and still burnt yours look so yummy and coated I feel I waisted a whole afternoon but the taste was there I guess I'll go back to frying....
Iosune says
Hi Patsy! I'm so sorry the recipe didn't work for you. Do you use the same ingredients and followed all the steps? This recipe works great and our readers love it. If you tell me more, I could help you 🙂
Jared says
These are so so SO good! I made them for a non-vegan friend last night and he LOVED them. Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Jared! Thank you so much 🙂 So glad you loved them!
Felipe says
Hello Iosune! I really liked your recipe. Only problem is that I am really not a fan of the Tahini taste. Could it be replaced by something else? Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi Felipe! Feel free to use any nut butter, coconut butter or even any type of oil you have on hand 🙂 Happy New Year!!!
Katie says
I love this recipe! The batter was delicious and really coated the cauliflower. I used Frank's Red Sauce and it worked great. Thank you for the directions to make home made hot sauce and vegan ranch dressing. Your notes were so helpful.
Iosune says
Hi Katie! You're so welcome 🙂 I'm so glad you liked it!
Carrie says
The taste was great but the sauce (the batter and the buffalo sauce) really didn't stick. The photo posted shows these coated well with a crispy looking coating. Mine weren't like that at all. Plus the cauliflower was pretty soft (no it wasn't wet). I've had these at restaurants and they are more like the photo shown. What could be the cause for the two issues I mention? I'd like to make these again and improve them. Taste was great!
Iosune says
Hi Carrie! Did you use the same ingredients and follow all the steps? I don't know the cause, sorry!
Pina says
I made this for a work potluck lunch & it was a big hit even for the non vegans! The ranch dip was also delicious!!
Iosune says
Hi Pina! So glad you guys enjoyed it 🙂 Have a nice day!
Rachel sacharuk says
I’m transitioning to being a vegan, this recipe is delicious. Will definitely be making again. Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Rachel! So glad you liked it 😀
Mandy says
Thanks so much! I am now super addicted to these, they're so delicious 😀
Iosune says
Hi Mandy! You're so welcome 🙂 So glad you liked it so much!
Stacy says
OMG soooo yummy! Thank you for this great recipe! I made it last night using a blend of gluten free Buckwheat flour and corn meal. It turned out super yummy. Next I'm making the vegan ranch dip and trying the batter with other veggies like broccoli florets and zucchini 😋
Iosune says
Hi Stacy! Thank YOU for your nice words 🙂 Hope you enjoy the dip as well!
daisy says
i got a question. does your ebook include the free recipes found in your blog?
Iosune says
Hi Daisy! No, you'll only find new recipes in our ebooks 🙂
daisy says
I made this cauliflower wings today including the batter and sauce. I love the result. I had tried to make this before from different recipes with no success. I put it in the air fryer. I made some mistake with the use of the air fryer so it could have been crispier; nevertheless, it was still good and very tasty. Thanks.
Iosune says
Hi Daisy! So glad you liked it and the recipe worked for your 🙂 Have a nice day!
Linda says
The spices you mentioned are not usually gluten free...
I was making this as an Easter appetizer...after gathering all the ingredients, I noticed they all said” may contain wheat”...my daughter has Celiac disease, and this would have made her very ill....
Perhaps you should include this warning in your recipes...
Celiac is a very serious disease...not to be taken lightly, by adding “gluten free” to your recipes...
Iosune says
Hi Linda! At least here in Spain you can find gluten-free products at some health stores, and I've also seen so many gluten-free buffalo cauliflower wings recipes on American blogs. I'm so sorry you didn't find them. Have a nice day!
Tillie Wagner says
The batter didn’t cook properly...it was completely mush
Iosune says
Hi Tillie! I'm so sorry the recipe didn't work for you, but it works 🙂 Have you followed all the steps and used the same ingredients? Maybe if you tell me more abot your batter, I could help you...
Rachel says
My cauliflower came out soft....not crispy at all. I have made other recipes similar to this and have had it happen then too. I followed the recipe exactly- is there a secret I’m missing to get that crispy/“fried” texture?
Iosune says
Hi Rachel! It's not fried, so the texture is not the same, but I think it's totally worth it as it's much healthier 🙂
Shannon says
Could I use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato paste? Thanks 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Shannon! I've never tried this recipe using fresh tomatoes, but I think it could work 🙂
Shannon says
Does this buffalo sauce taste just like buffalo sauce you would buy in a store such as "Franks Redhot Buffalo Wing Sauce"?
Iosune says
Hi Shannon! It's not exactly the same, but it tastes amazing and is much healthier 🙂
Alex says
Hello - do you think this would work with frozen cauliflower florets?
Iosune says
Hi Alex! I'm not sure, but I think you should defrost them first 🙂
Nicole says
Yum! Going to make these tonight for a special treat with dinner.
Thanks for the healthy recipe without all the pre-made sauces too!
Iosune says
Hi Nicole! You're so welcome 🙂 Hope you like it!
Annnette says
I just tried these for the first time... they are awesome! Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Definitely going into my repertoire! Great blog!
Iosune says
Hi Annette! You're so welcome and thank YOU for giving our recipe a try 😉
Liz says
Hi! Can I use almond flour instead?
Iosune says
Hi Liz! I've never used it myself, but I think it should work 🙂
Mitch says
Hi, would gram flour work instead of the rice flour?
Iosune says
Hi Mitch! I've never used it, but I think it should work...
Kathy says
Mitch, I made these with gram (besan, chickpea, garbanzo) flour and it does work! We did not use the buffalo sauce because we don’t care for it, but the cauliflower came out great. We dipped them in barbeque sauce.
Iosune says
Hi Kathy! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Renae says
Hi there.These look delicious but would water work in place of the plant milk?
Iosune says
Hi Renae! I think it should work 🙂
VeganE42 says
Hi Renae,
I only had vanilla soy milk and vanilla almond milk in the house tonight so I substituted 1 cup of vegetable broth (made with better than- vegetable bouillon) and it was insanely good! So good, my husband just asked me to continue to swap out the buffalo chicken dip with this recipe for our super bowl parties in the future- vegan for the win!!!!
Iosune says
Hi! So glad your and your husband liked it 🙂 Have a nice day!