Name: Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets; 3/4 cup flour; 1 teaspoon ground paprika; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1/3 cup Buffalo Sauce (Frank's recommended)

If you’re craving that fiery, tangy kick without the guilt, this Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. These crispy, baked bites bring all the buffalo wing flavor with a healthier, veggie-packed twist.

The image shows a wire rack full of pieces of cauliflower coated with a bright orange sauce, giving them a glossy, slightly charred look in spots. The pieces vary in size, scattered evenly across the rack with fresh green parsley leaves sprinkled around for color contrast. On the left side, there is a small clear glass bowl filled with a white creamy dip placed on a white marbled surface. The overall scene is bright and clean, highlighting the vibrant orange and green colors against the white background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these Buffalo Cauliflower Wings on multiple game days, and each time they disappear faster than chicken wings ever could. They’re such a satisfying way to enjoy bold, spicy flavors without feeling weighed down afterward.

Healthy Alternative: All the excitement of buffalo wings, but with cauliflower for a veggie-packed twist.
Super Crispy: Baking at 375°F and tossing them midway ensures they’re perfectly golden and crunchy.
Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples and just a few key spices for big flavor.
Perfect for Sharing: Makes about 6 small servings, so they’re ideal for parties or casual snacking.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for these wings? You don’t need a fancy list, but picking fresh cauliflower and good-quality buffalo sauce really makes a difference. A few classic spices bring the flavor to life without complicating things.

Flat lay of a fresh whole head of cauliflower cut into florets arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl of plain white flour, a small white bowl containing bright red ground paprika powder, another small white bowl with light brown onion powder, a small white bowl of finely ground white garlic powder, a small white bowl of coarse salt crystals, a small white bowl filled with creamy pale buttermilk, a small white bowl holding golden melted butter, and a small white bowl of vibrant orange-red buffalo sauce, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cauliflower: The star of the show — choose a firm head with tight florets for the best texture.
Flour: Helps create that crispy batter base that holds the buffalo sauce beautifully.
Ground Paprika: Adds smokiness and a subtle warmth to the batter.
Onion Powder: Boosts savory depth without overpowering the cauliflower’s natural flavor.
Garlic Powder: A must for that classic wing kick.
Salt: Enhances every taste, balancing the spices perfectly.
Buttermilk: Makes the batter tangy and thick, which helps it cling to the cauliflower.
Butter: Melts into the buffalo sauce for richness and smoothness.
Buffalo Sauce: The magic ingredient — we love using Frank’s for that iconic buffalo heat and flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you want to cater to dietary restrictions or just play around with flavors, these wings are incredibly adaptable and always delicious.

Vegan Version: I swapped the buttermilk for a plant-based alternative made with almond milk and a splash of lemon juice, and replaced the butter with coconut oil. The result? Just as rich, with that perfect tangy buffalo kick.
Gluten-Free Option: For friends with gluten sensitivities, I used a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. The wings still came out crispy and flavorful—no compromise there!
Extra Spicy: When I’m craving more heat, I add a pinch of cayenne pepper right into the batter and use a hotter buffalo sauce variety. It’s a fiery twist that really wakes up your taste buds.
Herby Twist: Tossing in some dried oregano or fresh chopped cilantro before baking adds a fresh herby note that pairs beautifully with the buffalo sauce.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

The image shows many small orange-colored cauliflower pieces with a slightly charred texture, placed on a black wire rack over a white marbled background. The cauliflower pieces are coated in a bright, glossy sauce and scattered with a few green herb leaves. A woman's hand is dipping one piece into a small silver cup filled with a thick white sauce, visible near the center of the image. The lighting highlights the shiny sauce and the crisp texture of the cauliflower. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Space

First things first—preheat your oven to 375°F. I like to line two baking sheets with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and to keep the cauliflower from sticking. Having everything ready before you start helps the process flow smoothly.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Perfect Batter

In a large bowl, mix together ¾ cup flour, 1 teaspoon each of ground paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Stir in ¾ cup buttermilk until you get a thick, luscious batter. It should coat the back of a spoon without running off too quickly—this ensures that every cauliflower floret gets that crispy golden crust we love.

Step 3: Coat and Arrange Your Cauliflower

Toss your cauliflower florets in the batter, making sure each piece is fully coated. Then, lay them out spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets. Don’t crowd the pieces—giving them some breathing room helps them crisp up rather than steam.

Step 4: Bake and Flip for Even Crispiness

Bake the wings for 20 minutes at 375°F. When time’s up, carefully flip each floret over—this step is key to getting a beautifully even golden texture all around. Pop them back in the oven for another 20 minutes until they’re nice and crispy.

Step 5: Whisk Together the Buffalo Sauce

While your cauliflower bakes, whisk 2 tablespoons melted butter with ⅓ cup buffalo sauce until well combined. This classic combo brings that signature tangy and buttery bite to your wings.

Step 6: Toss and Serve Immediately

As soon as the cauliflower wings come out of the oven, transfer them into the buffalo sauce and toss gently so each piece is fully coated. Serve them hot for the best flavor and crunch—trust me, they disappear fast!

Top Tip

These tips will help you achieve perfectly crispy, flavorful Buffalo Cauliflower Wings every time — no soggy bites or bland sauce here!

Even Spacing: Make sure to space out each cauliflower floret well on the baking sheets. This allows hot air to circulate and crisp up all sides beautifully.
Flip for Crispiness: Don’t skip flipping the wings halfway through baking. It ensures an even, golden crisp texture on both sides that keeps you coming back for more.
Buttermilk Batter: The thick batter made with buttermilk really helps the seasoning stick and adds just a touch of tang for that classic buffalo wing flavor.
Toss Gently: When coating the cooked florets in buffalo sauce, toss gently to keep the crispy batter intact but still get that perfect spicy coating.

How to Serve Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

A woman's hand is holding metal tongs gripping a piece of cauliflower being dipped into a thick, light brown batter inside a white bowl with a blue rim. The batter has a smooth texture with specks of seasoning. Around the bowl on a white marbled surface are several raw white cauliflower florets. Above the bowl is a metal tray lined with brown parchment paper, on which several cauliflower pieces are already coated with the same light brown batter. A clear glass measuring cup is partially visible to the left. The scene is bright and clean. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For that extra pop, sprinkle some freshly chopped green onions or chopped cilantro over your Buffalo Cauliflower Wings. A cooling side of celery sticks or carrot sticks complements the spicy buffalo sauce beautifully. Don’t forget a small bowl of ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping – it’s practically tradition!

Side Dishes

Pair these buffalo cauliflower bites with crunchy sweet potato fries, a crisp garden salad, or even some creamy coleslaw to balance the heat. They also shine as a fun appetizer alongside sliders or nachos for all your game day celebrations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Buffalo Cauliflower Wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To help keep them crispy, separate the wings from the sauce if possible and toss them in buffalo sauce again just before serving.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cauliflower wings before tossing them in buffalo sauce. Arrange on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month. When ready, bake from frozen at 375°F until heated through and crispy, then toss in sauce fresh.

Reheating

For crispy reheated wings, use the oven or an air fryer. Preheat your oven to 375°F and bake the wings on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes until warmed and crisp again. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe vegan?

Yes! Just swap the buttermilk for plant-based buttermilk and replace the melted butter in the buffalo sauce with coconut oil or vegan butter to keep it completely vegan.

How do I get the cauliflower wings crispy without frying?

The key is spacing the florets well on the parchment-lined baking sheets and baking at 375°F, flipping halfway through for even crispiness. The thick buttermilk batter also helps the wings get crispy in the oven.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in equal amounts. This keeps the batter the same thick consistency and the flavor just as delicious.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid the microwave to prevent sogginess. Toss the wings again in sauce after reheating if desired.

Final Thoughts

I love how this Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe lets you enjoy all the bold, spicy flavors of classic buffalo wings with so much less fuss and guilt. Whether you’re whipping them up for a game day crowd or a simple snack, they always disappear fast. Give the tips a try and make the next snack time your favorite yet!