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Painting With A Green Palate...100% Vegan & 80% Gluten-Free Cooking

Painting With A Green Palate...100% Vegan, & Gluten-Free Cooking

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch

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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites dipped into my Vegan Cucumber Ranch Dressing. Crispy, chewy, and breaded with tartness and spiciness. Pair that with a creamy cool vegan cucumber ranch and I guarantee you won’t be able to stop until the entire plate is gone.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites on a white plate with a side of vegan cucumber ranch.

It all started with my Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Tahini Sauce dish.  It was the first time I found myself craving and eating a large amounts of cauliflower in one sitting. It was an addiction… and then this combination came along.

This buffalo cauliflower recipe was first created back in December for our annual holiday party. These bites were actually suppose to be one of the main ingredients for another recipe (coming soon). I wanted them to be freshly baked, so I waited until all our guests arrived. When the cauliflower bites were done, I pulled them out of the oven, left them on the counter, and went to check on something else. Only to turn back around and realize that in the span of 5 minutes, more than half of my tray was gone and devoured by my friends before I could even assemble all of the dish I was supposed to serve that night! ha!

The look on my friends faces when they saw me…”wait…were we NOT suppose to eat these? but they’re so good!” said it all. That’s when I knew that these Buffalo Cauliflower Bites needed a post all to themselves.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #glutenfree | www.vegetariangastronomy.com

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #glutenfree | www.vegetariangastronomy.com

These cauliflower bites are so delicious and easy to make. They’re baked (not fried), and the sauce is made from a few basic pantry-ready ingredients. No need for any fancy store-bought buffalo sauce, unless you already happen to have some laying around. You can easily prep these bites ahead of time by cutting the cauliflower pieces, coating, and breading them. Then when you’re ready to serve, simply bake and toss with sauce!

If you’re looking at these photographs and thinking I did a lot of editing to get that gorgeous color on these bites, think again! They are really as mouthwatering as they look!

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #glutenfree | www.vegetariangastronomy.com

I like to make large batches of these bites at a time. You can store leftovers in the fridge, and even though they may loose some of their crispiness, they still taste great reheated in the oven the following day. Serve them as a side or appetizer, or enjoy them for an afternoon snack. They make for a great party finger food!

I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely serving up a batch of these vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with a side of my Vegan Cucumber Ranch during the super bowl this coming weekend! Join me and try out the recipe for yourself! It’ll make you a cauliflower lover in no time. If you do, be sure to tag me on Facebook or Instagram, @vegetariangastronomy #vegetariangastronomy, I love seeing all your re-makes! And keep an eye out for a few more vegan “buffalo” recipes coming to the blog soon!

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #glutenfree | www.vegetariangastronomy.com

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #glutenfree | www.vegetariangastronomy.com

5 from 6 votes
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #glutenfree | www.vegetariangastronomy.com
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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Crispy, chewy, and breaded with tartness and spiciness. Pair that with a creamy cool vegan cucumber ranch and I guarantee you won’t be able to stop until the entire plate is gone.

Course: Appetizer, Party Food, Side, Snack
Cuisine: American, Gluten-Free, Vegan
Keyword: buffalo cauliflower, easy vegan appetizer, vegan cauliflower recipe
Servings: 12 pieces
Calories: 94 kcal
Author: Anjali Lalani
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cauliflower , large
  • 1 cup non-dairy milk , such as soy milk or cashew milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour , for gluten-free: use white rice flour
  • 2 teasp garlic powder
  • 1.5 cups breadcrumbs , for gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs
  • Vegan Cucumber Ranch
For the Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp vegan butter , such as Earth Balance or Miyoko vegan butter
  • 1/2 cup cholula , or other hot sauce such as Frank's Hot Sauce (see notes below)
  • 1/4 teasp sriracha
  • 1/2 teasp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tbsp vinegar , I used regular distilled vinegar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into medium sized florets. Wash and set aside to drain out the water.

  3. In a bowl, combine non-dairy milk (soy milk), flour, and 2 teasp garlic powder, and some freshly ground pepper. Whisk and set aside.

  4. In another bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
  5. One at a time, take each individual cauliflower floret, dip it in the milk/flour mixture to coat completely (allow any excess to drip off), then place in the breadcrumb bowl. Using your other clean hand, roll the cauliflower in the breadcrumbs until completely coated on all sides. Place on the parchment lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cauliflower florets. (note, by using one hand for the wet coating, and the other hand for the breadcrumbs, it minimizes the clumping in the breadcrumbs bowl).
  6. Once all the cauliflower florets are coated with the liquid mixture and breadcrumbs, place in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until crispy and slightly golden brown on the outside.
  7. In the meantime, make the sauce. Heat a sauce pan on low-medium heat. Whisk all the sauce ingredients above just until the butter is completely melted and the ingredients are combined. Turn the heat off and set aside.
  8. Once the cauliflower is crispy and slightly golden, remove from the heat and toss a few at a time to completely coat in the sauce and place it back onto the same parchment paper.
  9. If there is extra sauce remaining, drizzle it over the cauliflower with a spoon.
  10. Place the cauliflower back in the oven for about 5-8 minutes.
  11. Remove from the oven and serve with Vegan Cucumber Ranch! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and re-heat at 375 degrees the following day!
Recipe Notes

Sauce - I used and highly recommend using Cholula hot sauce when making the buffalo sauce because of its flavor profile. I have tested this recipe using Cholula. But if you use a different hot sauce, be sure it's one that's smooth and bold in flavor. You may need to adjust the flavor a little but should work fine with most (note: if you use a hot sauce like Tapatio, this sauce will not taste good).

 

For the gluten-free option, I used white rice flour.

 

Non-Dairy Milk - I typically use soy milk for this recipe, which makes for a very thick coating. If you prefer a thinner coating or find the thick coating difficult to work with, either add a tiny bit more soy milk into the coating mixture or use another thinner non-dairy milk such as cashew milk. 

Nutrition Facts
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Vegan Cucumber Ranch
Amount Per Serving
Calories 94 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Sodium 376mg 16%
Potassium 62mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 2.1%
Vitamin C 11.7%
Calcium 4.4%
Iron 5.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Vegan Cucumber Ranch #vegan #review | www.vegetariangastronomy.com

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Comments

  1. Rashmi says

    January 29, 2017 at 11:10 PM

    OMG I am completely speechless Anjali :-| BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER, goodness gracious me, how on earth did you ever come up with this idea. It looks incredibly delicious and so crispy, as for that dip...it really complements the overall dish... ABSOLUTELY SUPERB! WAY TO GO!!! :-)
    Reply

    • anjali says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:35 PM

      Thanks Rashmi! There are actually a lot of buffalo cauli recipes floating around, but i wanted one that was baked, crispy, also chewy and my own sauce combo instead of buffalo sauce! It was a recipe developed for my tacos (soon to come) but they're so good on their own i needed to post as a separate recipe! TRY IT i'd love to know how you like them!
      Reply

  4. Tracy | Baking Mischief says

    January 30, 2017 at 10:37 AM

    I've been meaning to try cauliflower bites for ages. They always look so good, especially these buffalo bites! And I love that the ranch dip is vegan. It's always so nice to have appetizer options that you know all of your guests will be able to eat!
    Reply

    • anjali says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:39 PM

      Thanks Tracy!! These cauli bites are SO good...everyone will love them! And I've actually had several non-vegans make my vegan ranch and say it was even better than the store bought version! Let me know if you try it out!
      Reply

  5. Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:02 PM

    What you said about the won't be able to stop part--yep I can totally see that problem happening for me. And the fact that there is a dipping sauce will just make them disappear all the faster! Who needs pretty plating when the food is this eye-catching and I'm sure smells amazing all by itself!?! ;) I love that they are baked too, even though they totally do not look it. You always come up with the best appetizer/party food Anjali!
    Reply

    • anjali says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:38 PM

      Thanks Natalie!!! Yes...I was even enjoying them while i was photographing! Especially when they're hot right out of the oven, dipped in the cool creamy ranch it's sooo good!!! bTW, i have yet to make your fudge oatmeal for the kids...my husband was on breakfast this past weekend and i forgot to tell him to make it for the kids. But I think a tuesday morning fudge oatmeal is needed this week =)
      Reply

  7. Emily says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:26 PM

    Omg these sound so delicious, I just had spicy roasted cauliflower for dinner tonight and loved it so will definitely be giving this recipe a go!
    Reply

  8. Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

    January 30, 2017 at 9:59 PM

    I love that you changed up the recipe on these and made them breaded! I've been to the place where they were said to be invented - Mohawk Bend in Los Angeles - and they're good (of course), but I think the breading you've added takes them to a whole new level. YUM.
    Reply

    • anjali says

      January 31, 2017 at 4:32 PM

      Oh wow..I've heard of that place and have been meaning to check it out when in LA, but haven't yet! Yes...I've had it before too several places and love it. This breaded version really does wonders with the sauce coating it and the texture! Hopefully you get a chance to try it out!
      Reply

  10. Reshana says

    January 30, 2017 at 10:40 PM

    WOW! I would have never guessed that there were cauliflower bites under that crispy coating and I love the idea of buffalo sauce! This looks so good and I am not surprised they were gone in 5 minutes. What a lovely combination with that ranch dip! Your recipes are only getting better and I cant wait for the recipes to come :)
    Reply

  12. Donna says

    January 31, 2017 at 8:11 PM

    Yum, these sound amazing!! I had something similar at a restaurant while on vacation a while back, and have been dreaming about them ever since! Will have to whip some of these up for myself :)
    Reply

  15. Taylor says

    June 1, 2017 at 4:33 PM

    These are so good. I made a bunch and use it and the cucumber ranch to top my salads. Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

    • anjali says

      June 5, 2017 at 11:16 PM

      That's awesome thanks so much Taylor for the great feedback! Glad you love them...I actually made 2 batches tonight and can't get enough! Try them in tacos next time!
      Reply

  16. Valerie says

    June 30, 2017 at 5:12 PM

    I looked through a bunch of Buffalo cauliflower recipes and landed on yours since the ingredients matched the closest to what I have on hand, and I just wanted to say how amazing these are!! Buffalo anything is my favorite comfort food ever and these do not disappoint! I had to make a few subs/omissions, but they were still delicious. Awesome recipe, thank you so much! :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply

    • anjali says

      July 2, 2017 at 12:07 AM

      Love it! Thanks for the great review, and happy you feel the same way about these bites as I do! Super comfort food...i could devour an entire tray! Try my other two recipes using these...the salad and buffalo cauliflower tacos! Thanks again!
      Reply

  17. Sarah Serna says

    September 21, 2017 at 9:00 PM

    My husband and I just started to eat a plant based diet and tried this!! This recipe was amazing! Thank you for sharing it!!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

    • anjali says

      September 22, 2017 at 10:12 AM

      That's so wonderful to hear!! So glad you loved it...it's one of my favorite taco recipes. If you need any other suggestions on what to try next let me know! The Pra Ram Tofu is a huge hit, as well as the Cauliflower Tikka Masala recipe!
      Reply

  19. Michelle says

    September 24, 2017 at 7:15 PM

    I just made this last night, and they were Awesome!! 😻😻 definitely making them again really soon! Thanks for the recipe! 💖
    ★★★★★
    Reply

    • anjali says

      September 24, 2017 at 8:28 PM

      Thanks so much Michelle for trying them out and the awesome review! Glad you loved them...they are definitely a staple at my house! Try my tacos recipe using these bites next!
      Reply

    • anjali says

      January 20, 2018 at 12:37 AM

      Hmm...I think you may get a little different taste with the buffalo sauce since the vegan butter i used was salty. But make sure to use a neutral coconut oil, and perhaps add some salt for flavor if needed! I'd give it a try...should still be fine!
      Reply

  22. Peri says

    March 1, 2018 at 5:17 PM

    Holy crap-ola these are delicious. I just made them and have to admit, I was super skeptical to take my first bite. But after that I was hooked! I will definitely be saving this recipe as one of my go-to favorites! Thank you!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

    • anjali says

      April 16, 2018 at 12:45 PM

      You can use almond flour, just may not be as crispy, but it'll still taste good (although just FYI i have not tried with almond flour)! Or also u can use cornmeal.
      Reply

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