Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a wonderful meat-free appetizer that pack a flavorful punch! Baked cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy Buffalo BBQ sauce and dipped in Buffalo ranch dressing for the ultimate vegetarian snack.

buffalo cauliflower wings on a serving tray with buffalo ranch dressing in a white bowl

BBQ Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

What is it about Buffalo sauce that makes it so addictive? No matter what it’s on, I’m hooked, and these Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are no exception! With the same savory flavors and hearty texture as classic Buffalo Wings, these baked cauliflower wings are a welcome vegetarian addition to any game day!

These cauliflower wings are dipped into a from-scratch batter, tossed in a Buffalo BBQ sauce, and served with a homemade Buffalo ranch dressing for the ultimate Buffalo appetizer. If you’re a fan of wings, these easy Crockpot Buffalo Wings are a must, and if you want more Buffalo-flavored dishes, this rich and creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip is a must.

Recipe Card

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings:
Author: Becky Hardin
featured buffalo cauliflower wings
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a wonderful meat-free appetizer that pack a flavorful punch! These baked cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy Buffalo BBQ sauce and dipped in Buffalo ranch dressing for the ultimate vegetarian snack.
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Ingredients 

For the Cauliflower

  • 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets, do not use frozen
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour For gluten-free, use gluten-free 1:1 flour like Bob's Red Mill or Cup4Cup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup sparkling water Or use gluten-free beer.

For the Buffalo BBQ Sauce

For the Buffalo Ranch Dressing*

  • ½ cup mayonnaise For vegan dressing, use a vegan mayo.
  • 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried chives
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk all of the Buffalo ranch dressing ingredients together. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
    ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, and sparkling water together until a smooth, thick batter forms. The batter should be a little thinner than pancake batter. If needed, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is the correct consistency. It should stick to the cauliflower after dipping. 
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 cup sparkling water
  • Working one at a time, dip each cauliflower floret into the batter and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all florets are dipped in batter and placed on the baking sheet.
    1 head of cauliflower
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes or until very crispy. Spray the cauliflower with nonstick spray halfway through baking.
  • While the cauliflower bakes, make the sauce. In a small pot set over medium heat, combine the BBQ sauce and the buffalo sauce. Heat just until warm.
    ½ cup BBQ sauce, ¼ cup Buffalo sauce
  • Once the cauliflower is crispy, add the baked cauliflower to a large bowl. Toss with the Buffalo BBQ sauce and serve immediately with the Buffalo ranch dressing.

Becky’s Tips

*Instead of homemade Buffalo ranch dressing, mix 3 tablespoons of Buffalo sauce into ½ cup of store-bought ranch dressing.
Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 1522mgPotassium: 425mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 801IUVitamin C: 54mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How To Make Cauliflower Wings Step by Step

Preheat the oven and get a baking sheet ready: Preheat the oven to 375°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.

ingredients for Cauliflower wings

Prepare the buffalo ranch dressing: Whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

cauliflower coating

Prepare the cauliflower coating: Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and sparkling water until a smooth, thick batter forms. The batter should be a little thinner than pancake batter. If needed, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is the correct consistency. It should stick to the cauliflower after dipping. 

batter for BBQ cauliflower wings

Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret from 1 head of cauliflower into the batter and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all florets are dipped in batter and placed on the baking sheet.

cauliflower coated wings on a baking sheet

Bake the cauliflower: Bake the cauliflower for 45-55 minutes or until very crispy. Spray the cauliflower with nonstick spray halfway through baking so it crisps up nicely.

Buffalo sauce for cauliflower wings

Prepare the sauce: In a small pot set over medium heat, combine the 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup buffalo sauce. Heat just until warm.

Buffalo sauce being poured over cauliflower wings

Coat the cauliflower: Once the cauliflower is crispy, transfer it to a bowl and toss with the Buffalo BBQ sauce.

hand dipping a buffalo cauliflower wing into a bowl of buffalo ranch dressing

Serve and enjoy: Serve the cauliflower wings immediately with the Buffalo ranch dressing.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftover wings, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For best tasting leftovers, reheat cauliflower wings in the oven at 400°F for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

buffalo cauliflower wings on a serving tray with buffalo ranch dressing in a white bowl

Serving Suggestions

Buffalo cauliflower wings go well with loads of other savory appetizers like my super crunchy Ranch Fried Pickles, or these lightly spiced Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Classic Loaded Deviled Eggs are always a hit, as are my easy-to-make Homemade Tortilla Chips.

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)
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