Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe With Ranch Dip
Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe With Ranch Dip
This week, I am sharing my simple cauliflower “wings” recipe so you can make it for the perfect game day appetizer!
My husband loves wings.. and when I say loves.. he REALLY LOVES WINGS.
I made these crispy buffalo cauliflower wings for him & he was shook over how delicious, crispy, and crunchy they were. He dipped them in my homemade ranch dressing and ended up eating the entire head of cauliflower in one sitting!
Benefits of Cauliflower
Cauliflower contains B vitamins, which are great for energy production, help the body use protein, and are great for brain function! Not only is cauliflower a nutrient-packed vegetable, but it also serves as a great alternative to traditional buffalo wings, by using cauliflower instead of reducing your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. Plus, cauliflower is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy choice for snacking.
Buffalo Cauliflower Ingredients
1 large head of cauliflower (about 4-5 cups chopped)
1 egg
1 1/2 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 cup of your favorite buffalo sauce
How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower
Wash, then chop cauliflower into even florets. Alternatively, you can purchase a bag of cauliflower florets to save time.
In a large bowl, whisk 1 egg. Add the cauliflower pieces and mix well for a minute until the cauliflower is evenly coated.
In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, garlic powder, salt, and paprika. Add the mixture into the bowl with the egg and cauliflower & coat well.
Place the cauliflower in the preheated air fryer basket (4 minutes). Air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, shaking halfway.
Remove from the air fryer, toss the buffalo sauce in the cauliflower & air fry again for an additional 6 minutes.
If you don't have an air fryer, the cauliflower can be baked in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425F, bake on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes, then broil for 5-6 minutes with the sauce.
Healthy Homemade Ranch Dip Ingredients
3/4 cup plain whole milk, full-fat Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chives, chopped
1 teaspoon dill, dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Healthy Homemade Ranch Dip
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
Transfer into a serving bowl to serve with the buffalo cauliflower!
Notes
Alternatively, you can bake this in the oven at 425F for about 20 minutes, then broil for an additional 5-6 minutes with the sauce.
If you want to make your own spicy buffalo sauce, just mix:
2/3 cup red hot
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
a bit of cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
Storage
For best results, store the cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The ranch can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat the cauliflower, simply place it in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350F.
Try These Other Game Day Appetizer Recipes!
FAQ
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To make vegan buffalo cauliflower, you will need 1 large head of cauliflower (about 4-5 cups chopped), 1 egg, 1 1/2 cup almond flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1 cup of your favorite buffalo sauce.
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These vegan buffalo cauliflower wings are gluten-free. The batter is made with almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, making it perfect for those on a gluten-free diet.
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Instead of almond flour, you can use chickpea flour, all purpose flour, oat flour, or brown rice flour as alternatives.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the cauliflower in the oven at 425F for about 20 minutes, then broil for an additional 5-6 minutes with the sauce.
For a lower-carb option, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or almond meal instead of almond flour.
If you prefer a spicier buffalo sauce, you can add more cayenne pepper to the homemade buffalo sauce recipe.
If you're vegan and don't consume dairy, you can make a vegan ranch dressing by substituting the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt, such as soy or almond milk yogurt.
Feel free to customize the ranch dip by adding other herbs and spices that you enjoy, such as parsley or basil.
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This vegan buffalo cauliflower recipe is a healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Cauliflower is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a nutritious choice for snacking. The recipe also uses almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, reducing the overall carbohydrate content. Additionally, the homemade ranch dip is made with Greek yogurt, providing protein and calcium.
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There is no vegan cheese required for this recipe. However, if you want to add some cheesy flavor, you can sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top of the cauliflower before serving. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor and is a popular ingredient in vegan recipes.
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The crispy cauliflower "wings" can be served as a delicious appetizer or snack. It pairs well with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or any other crunchy vegetables. You can also serve it with a side of vegan ranch dressing or a blue cheese dressing for dipping. It's a great dish to enjoy while watching a game or as a tasty addition to a party spread.
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If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add more cayenne pepper to the homemade buffalo wing sauce recipe. You can adjust the amount to your taste preferences.
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The vegan buffalo cauliflower can be cooked in an air fryer. Simply place the coated cauliflower in the air fryer basket and cook at 400F for 12 minutes, shaking halfway. Then, toss the cauliflower in the buffalo sauce and cook for an additional 6 minutes. The air fryer helps to achieve a crispy texture without the need for deep frying.
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You can use your favorite buffalo sauce for the vegan buffalo cauliflower. If you want to make your own buffalo sauce, just mix together red hot sauce, butter, white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Adjust the spice level to your liking.
This vegan buffalo cauliflower recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings. With simple ingredients like cauliflower florets, almond flour, and your favorite buffalo sauce, you can create crispy and flavorful cauliflower bites that will satisfy your craving for buffalo wings! Whether you choose to bake them in the oven or use an air fryer, this recipe is quick and easy to make. Pair it with a homemade ranch dip made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and various seasonings, and you have the perfect game day snack or appetizer.
Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe With Ranch Dip
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower (about 4-5 cups chopped)
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup your favorite buffalo sauce
- 3/4 cup plain whole milk, full fat greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dill, dried
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash, then chop cauliflower into even florets, alternatively, you can purchase the bag of cauliflower florets to save time.
- In a large bowl, whisk 1 egg. Add the chopped cauliflower and mix well for a minute until the cauliflower is evenly coated.
- In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, garlic powder, salt and paprika. Add the mixture into the bowl with the egg and cauliflower & coat well.
- Place the cauliflower in the preheated air fryer (4 minutes). Air Fry at 400F for 12 minutes, shaking half way.
- Remove from the air fryer, toss the buffalo sauce in the cauliflower & air fry again for an additional 6 minutes.
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Transfer into a serving bowl to serve with the buffalo cauliflower!
When it comes to using an air fryer, one of the questions that pops up is what type of oil to use, and if cooking spray is a good option.