Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable)
Golden spicy cauliflower florets baked to crispness, tossed in buffalo sauce and served with creamy ranch.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cauliflower Bites
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
08 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
09 - Cooking spray or olive oil for baking
→ Buffalo Sauce
10 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
11 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
→ Homemade Ranch Dressing
13 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
14 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
15 - 2 tablespoons buttermilk or milk
16 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
17 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
18 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
19 - 1 clove garlic, minced
20 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
21 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
23 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray or brush with oil.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the milk until a smooth batter forms.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then coat evenly in panko breadcrumbs. Arrange florets on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Lightly spray or drizzle the coated florets with oil. Bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway, until golden and crisp.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup (if using).
06 - Remove the cauliflower from the oven and transfer to a large bowl. Pour buffalo sauce over the hot florets and gently toss to coat.
07 - Return coated cauliflower to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy and caramelized.
08 - Whisk together all ranch dressing ingredients in a bowl. Adjust seasoning and consistency with extra milk if desired.
09 - Serve the crispy buffalo cauliflower bites hot with ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- That magical moment when spicy meets cool creamy ranch and your tastebuds do a little happy dance
- Even dedicated carnivores wont miss the meat when the crunch factor is this satisfying
02 -
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet or the cauliflower will steam instead of crisp, nobody wants soggy bites
- Let the cauliflower cool just slightly after the first bake so the sauce sticks better instead of sliding right off
03 -
- Cut your cauliflower florets to roughly the same size so they finish cooking at the same time
- Room temperature cauliflower creates better batter adhesion than cold from the fridge