How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower: Step-by-Step Instructions with Pictures

Buffalo cauliflower roasted with a pancake-like batter is the perfect fix for a light snack or meal! With a kick of cayenne, garlic powder, hot sauce, and creamy comeback sauce, it’s a delicious side dish that is super quick and easy to make.

white platter with battered, roasted, sauce-covered buffalo cauliflower
The finished dish: crunchy, tender, and so tasty.

Make Veggies a Hit at Your Dinner Table

This recipe is a wonderful way to make your vegetables super tasty and put a twist on the regular weekday menu. I love to toss all sorts of vegetables into buffalo sauce because it adds a little extra flavor to shake things up.

I’ve found that cauliflower is my favorite choice for this recipe, though, because it has such a mild flavor and rubbery texture. The cauliflower really holds up well to the coating and the intensity of the buffalo sauce. 

This is a perfect alternative to buffalo chicken wings if your diet doesn’t permit it or if you’re just not feeling the meat. Not to mention, it’s so easy to make.

How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower, Step by Step

Just follow these instructions and pictures, and you’ll have delicious buffalo cauliflower in no time.

Before you start cooking, preheat the oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

cutting and breaking up cauliflower on wooden board
Step 1: Cut the cauliflower florets in half, and then cut the halves in half to make fourths. Now cutting diagonally, cut the core out.
use hands to break up cauliflower into small florets
Step 2: Begin breaking the small bite-sized florets off each other.
bite-sized cauliflower florets, cored, on wooden cutting board with knife and trimmings
It’s that easy!
flour, salt, seasonings in small dishes on counter
Step 3: Now get together the ingredients for the batter.
cauliflower sauce ingredients whisked in glass bowl
Step 4: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and milk until well combined.
stirring the florets into the sauce
Step 5: Add the cauliflower florets and stir them up to coat them with the batter.
Step 6: Pour the florets onto the prepared cookie sheet and arrange evenly. Make sure each is coated with batter.
half cooked florets ready to be flipped on cookie sheet
Step 7: Place in a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes. Flip the pieces halfway through.
half cooked florets ready to be flipped on cookie sheet
Step 8: Meanwhile prepare the buffalo sauce. In a medium bowl, mix the hot sauce, oil, and honey until combined.
Step 9: When the cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven and coat with the buffalo sauce. Place back into the oven for 20 more minutes.
the finished dish - golden cauliflower on white platter with dipping sauce
When is it done? When the florets are golden and the tempting aroma fills your house.

That’s it! You’ll know the dish is done when the cauliflower has a golden color to it and your house smells like buffalo chicken. 

Is Cauliflower Healthy?

Cauliflower is super low in starch and carbohydrates but high in fiber and packed full of vitamins. With only 145 calories, a head of cauliflower is a guilt-free food. It also has a very high water content, which will help keep you hydrated, prevent you from overeating, and aid in weight loss. 

This recipe does include a flour batter, but keep in mind that a good bit of it will end up on the baking sheet instead of the cauliflower.

What to Serve with Buffalo Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a perfect side dish for any meal or occasion, but it’s even more perfect when you coat it in a spicy batter and toss it in buffalo sauce!! I love the comeback sauce as a drizzle over the buffalo cauliflower!!

These buffalo cauliflower bites can be eaten plain, served next to baked sweet potato fries, or put on anything from pizza to tacos

the finished dish - golden cauliflower on white platter with dipping sauce

How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower

Buffalo cauliflower roasted with a pancake-like batter is the perfect fix for a light snack or meal! With a kick of cayenne, garlic powder, and hot sauce, it's a delicious side dish that is super quick and easy to make.
5 from 1 vote
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 155 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cauliflower

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 head cauliflower

For the Buffalo Sauce

  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 serving comeback sauce – see link to recipe in Notes below

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut the florets in half, then cut the halves in half to make fourths. Now cutting diagonally, cut the core out and begin breaking the florets off each other. It’s that easy!
  • In a large bowl toss together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and milk, and stir until well combined.
  • Pour the cauliflower onto the prepared cookie sheet evenly, making sure eat piece is coated with batter. Place in a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the buffalo sauce. In a medium bowl, mix the hot sauce, oil, and honey until combined.
  • When the cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven and coat with the buffalo sauce. Place back into the oven for 20 more minutes. You'll know they are done when the cauliflower has a golden color to it and the house smells of buffalo chicken. Serve with comeback sauce – see link in Notes below.

Notes

Here is the recipe for the comeback sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 693mgPotassium: 386mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 205IUVitamin C: 54mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
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2 Comments

  1. I haven’t made yet but wondering what the “white sauce” is that is drizzled on top?
    Doesn’t mention in the recipe but shows a bowl of it with a spoon?

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