Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings – Ultra-Crispy, Spicy, Oven-Baked Plant-Based Wings Perfect for Snacks, Parties, and Game Day

🎉 Introduction

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are the ultimate proof that plant-based food can be bold, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a spicy, tangy buffalo-style sauce, these cauliflower wings deliver everything people love about classic wings — without the meat. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking for a lighter alternative to traditional appetizers, this recipe checks every box.

What makes these cauliflower wings so irresistible is their texture. When coated properly and baked at high heat, cauliflower florets become golden, crispy, and sturdy enough to hold onto that signature buffalo flavor. The heat from the sauce is perfectly balanced with a slight tang and buttery richness, making each bite crave-worthy and addictive. They’re the kind of snack that disappears fast once they hit the table.

These wings are perfect for game days, parties, movie nights, or even as a fun dinner paired with salads or grain bowls. They’re baked, not fried, making them lighter while still delivering that satisfying crunch. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile — you can adjust the spice level, bake or air-fry them, and serve them with your favorite dips or sides.

If you love bold flavors, crispy textures, and plant-based comfort food, these Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a must-try. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and big flavor make this recipe a repeat favorite for any occasion.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Wire rack (optional, for extra crispiness)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Oven

🛒 Ingredients

Cauliflower Wings

• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

Buffalo Sauce

• ½ cup hot sauce (buffalo-style, alcohol-free)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh parsley or cilantro
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions

These ingredients create crispy, spicy, and perfectly coated cauliflower wings.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place a wire rack on top if using (this helps air circulate and increases crispiness).

Step 2: Prepare the Batter

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower but still pourable.

Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower

• Add cauliflower florets to the batter.
• Toss until each floret is fully coated.
• Shake off excess batter before placing them on the baking sheet.

Step 4: First Bake

• Arrange florets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Step 5: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

• In a bowl, mix hot sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, and garlic powder until smooth.

Step 6: Sauce the Wings

• Remove cauliflower from the oven.
• Toss gently with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.

Step 7: Second Bake

• Return the coated cauliflower to the oven.
• Bake for another 10–15 minutes until sticky, caramelized, and crispy.

Step 8: Serve

• Remove from oven and garnish if desired.
• Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
• Total Time: About 50 minutes

Perfect for sharing or enjoying as a main snack.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating

• Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5–8 minutes to restore crispiness.

Freezer

• Not recommended, as texture may soften.

For best results, enjoy fresh.

🥄 Variations

Extra Crispy Wings

• Add 2 tablespoons cornstarch to the batter.

Mild Buffalo Wings

• Reduce hot sauce and increase maple syrup slightly.

Spicy Buffalo Wings

• Add chili flakes or cayenne pepper.

BBQ Cauliflower Wings

• Replace buffalo sauce with barbecue sauce.

Air Fryer Version

• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.

Gluten-Free Version

• Use gluten-free all-purpose flour.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Do cauliflower wings get crispy?

Yes, when baked at high heat and spaced properly.

2. Why are my wings soggy?

Too much batter or overcrowding the pan.

3. Can I make them vegan?

Yes, they are naturally vegan.

4. Is buffalo sauce spicy?

Mild to medium — adjust to taste.

5. Can kids eat these?

Yes, make a mild version.

6. Do I need a wire rack?

Optional, but it improves crispiness.

7. Can I fry them instead?

Yes, but baking is lighter.

8. What dips go well?

Yogurt-based dip, tahini, or ranch-style sauce.

9. Can I prepare them ahead?

Best fresh, but batter can be made ahead.

10. Are these healthy?

Yes, they’re baked and veggie-based.

🏁 Conclusion

These Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are bold, crunchy, spicy, and completely addictive — everything you want in a snack or appetizer. With their golden exterior and tangy buffalo coating, they deliver classic wing flavor in a lighter, plant-based form that everyone can enjoy. Easy to prepare, fun to eat, and perfect for sharing, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite for parties, game days, or anytime you crave something crispy and flavorful. Once you try them, you’ll understand why cauliflower wings have earned their place as a modern comfort-food classic.

Adam

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings – Ultra-Crispy, Spicy, Oven-Baked Plant-Based Wings Perfect for Snacks, Parties, and Game Day

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are the ultimate proof that plant-based food can be bold, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a spicy, tangy buffalo-style sauce, these cauliflower wings deliver everything people love about classic wings — without the meat. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking for a lighter alternative to traditional appetizers, this recipe checks every box. What makes these cauliflower wings so irresistible is their texture. When coated properly and baked at high heat, cauliflower florets become golden, crispy, and sturdy enough to hold onto that signature buffalo flavor. The heat from the sauce is perfectly balanced with a slight tang and buttery richness, making each bite crave-worthy and addictive. They’re the kind of snack that disappears fast once they hit the table. These wings are perfect for game days, parties, movie nights, or even as a fun dinner paired with salads or grain bowls. They’re baked, not fried, making them lighter while still delivering that satisfying crunch. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile — you can adjust the spice level, bake or air-fry them, and serve them with your favorite dips or sides. If you love bold flavors, crispy textures, and plant-based comfort food, these Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a must-try. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and big flavor make this recipe a repeat favorite for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cauliflower Wings

• 1 large head cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

Buffalo Sauce

• ½ cup hot sauce buffalo-style, alcohol-free
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh parsley or cilantro
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions
• These ingredients create crispy spicy, and perfectly coated cauliflower wings.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Wire rack (optional, for extra crispiness)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Oven

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Place a wire rack on top if using (this helps air circulate and increases crispiness).

Step 2: Prepare the Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower but still pourable.

Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower

1. Add cauliflower florets to the batter.
2. Toss until each floret is fully coated.
3. Shake off excess batter before placing them on the baking sheet.

Step 4: First Bake

1. Arrange florets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
2. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Step 5: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

1. In a bowl, mix hot sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, and garlic powder until smooth.

Step 6: Sauce the Wings

1. Remove cauliflower from the oven.
2. Toss gently with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.

Step 7: Second Bake

1. Return the coated cauliflower to the oven.
2. Bake for another 10–15 minutes until sticky, caramelized, and crispy.

Step 8: Serve

1. Remove from oven and garnish if desired.
2. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5–8 minutes to restore crispiness.

Freezer

Not recommended, as texture may soften.

For best results, enjoy fresh.

🥄 Variations
Extra Crispy Wings

Add 2 tablespoons cornstarch to the batter.

Mild Buffalo Wings

Reduce hot sauce and increase maple syrup slightly.

Spicy Buffalo Wings

Add chili flakes or cayenne pepper.

BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Replace buffalo sauce with barbecue sauce.

Air Fryer Version

Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.

Gluten-Free Version

Use gluten-free all-purpose flour.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Do cauliflower wings get crispy?

Yes, when baked at high heat and spaced properly.

2. Why are my wings soggy?

Too much batter or overcrowding the pan.

3. Can I make them vegan?

Yes, they are naturally vegan.

4. Is buffalo sauce spicy?

Mild to medium — adjust to taste.

5. Can kids eat these?

Yes, make a mild version.

6. Do I need a wire rack?

Optional, but it improves crispiness.

7. Can I fry them instead?

Yes, but baking is lighter.

8. What dips go well?

Yogurt-based dip, tahini, or ranch-style sauce.

9. Can I prepare them ahead?

Best fresh, but batter can be made ahead.

10. Are these healthy?

Yes, they’re baked and veggie-based.

🏁 Conclusion

These Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are bold, crunchy, spicy, and completely addictive — everything you want in a snack or appetizer. With their golden exterior and tangy buffalo coating, they deliver classic wing flavor in a lighter, plant-based form that everyone can enjoy. Easy to prepare, fun to eat, and perfect for sharing, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite for parties, game days, or anytime you crave something crispy and flavorful. Once you try them, you’ll understand why cauliflower wings have earned their place as a modern comfort-food classic.