By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 4, 2025
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are a wonderful meat-free appetizer that pack a flavorful punch! Baked cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy Buffalo BBQ sauce and dipped in Buffalo ranch dressing for the ultimate vegetarian snack.
BBQ Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
What is it about Buffalo sauce that makes it so addictive? No matter what it’s on, I’m hooked, and these Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are no exception! With the same savory flavors and hearty texture as classic Buffalo Wings , these baked cauliflower wings are a welcome vegetarian addition to any game day!
These cauliflower wings are dipped into a from-scratch batter, tossed in a Buffalo BBQ sauce, and served with a homemade Buffalo ranch dressing for the ultimate Buffalo appetizer. If you’re a fan of wings, these easy Crockpot Buffalo Wings are a must, and if you want more Buffalo-flavored dishes, this rich and creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip is a must.
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Cauliflower
- ▢ 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets, do not use frozen
- ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour For gluten-free, use gluten-free 1:1 flour like Bob’s Red Mill or Cup4Cup
- ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ 1 cup sparkling water Or use gluten-free beer.
For the Buffalo BBQ Sauce
- ▢ ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ▢ ¼ cup Buffalo sauce Check for gluten-free if required.
For the Buffalo Ranch Dressing*
- ▢ ½ cup mayonnaise For vegan dressing, use a vegan mayo.
- ▢ 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried chives
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk all of the Buffalo ranch dressing ingredients together. Refrigerate until ready to serve. ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, and sparkling water together until a smooth, thick batter forms. The batter should be a little thinner than pancake batter . If needed, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is the correct consistency. It should stick to the cauliflower after dipping. 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 cup sparkling water
- Working one at a time, dip each cauliflower floret into the batter and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all florets are dipped in batter and placed on the baking sheet. 1 head of cauliflower
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until very crispy. Spray the cauliflower with nonstick spray halfway through baking.
- While the cauliflower bakes, make the sauce. In a small pot set over medium heat, combine the BBQ sauce and the buffalo sauce. Heat just until warm. ½ cup BBQ sauce, ¼ cup Buffalo sauce
- Once the cauliflower is crispy, add the baked cauliflower to a large bowl. Toss with the Buffalo BBQ sauce and serve immediately with the Buffalo ranch dressing.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Cauliflower Wings Step by Step
Preheat the oven and get a baking sheet ready: Preheat the oven to 375°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
Prepare the buffalo ranch dressing: Whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Prepare the cauliflower coating : Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and sparkling water until a smooth, thick batter forms. The batter should be a little thinner than pancake batter. If needed, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is the correct consistency. It should stick to the cauliflower after dipping.
Coat the cauliflower : Dip each cauliflower floret from 1 head of cauliflower into the batter and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all florets are dipped in batter and placed on the baking sheet.
Bake the cauliflower: Bake the cauliflower for 45-55 minutes or until very crispy. Spray the cauliflower with nonstick spray halfway through baking so it crisps up nicely.
Prepare the sauce: In a small pot set over medium heat, combine the 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup buffalo sauce. Heat just until warm.
Coat the cauliflower : Once the cauliflower is crispy, transfer it to a bowl and toss with the Buffalo BBQ sauce.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the cauliflower wings immediately with the Buffalo ranch dressing.
Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover wings, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For best tasting leftovers, reheat cauliflower wings in the oven at 400°F for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Buffalo cauliflower wings go well with loads of other savory appetizers like my super crunchy Ranch Fried Pickles , or these lightly spiced Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers . Classic Loaded Deviled Eggs are always a hit, as are my easy-to-make Homemade Tortilla Chips .
More Vegetarian Appetizers to try!
Easy Antipasto Skewers (Holiday Appetizer Idea)
Creamy Spinach Dip Crostini Appetizers
Instant Pot Queso
Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower
- 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets, do not use frozen
- 1 cup all-purpose flour For gluten-free, use gluten-free 1:1 flour like Bob’s Red Mill or Cup4Cup
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup sparkling water Or use gluten-free beer.
For the Buffalo BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup Buffalo sauce Check for gluten-free if required.
For the Buffalo Ranch Dressing*
- ½ cup mayonnaise For vegan dressing, use a vegan mayo.
- 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk all of the Buffalo ranch dressing ingredients together. Refrigerate until ready to serve. ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons Buffalo sauce, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, and sparkling water together until a smooth, thick batter forms. The batter should be a little thinner than pancake batter . If needed, add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is the correct consistency. It should stick to the cauliflower after dipping. 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 cup sparkling water
- Working one at a time, dip each cauliflower floret into the batter and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all florets are dipped in batter and placed on the baking sheet. 1 head of cauliflower
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until very crispy. Spray the cauliflower with nonstick spray halfway through baking.
- While the cauliflower bakes, make the sauce. In a small pot set over medium heat, combine the BBQ sauce and the buffalo sauce. Heat just until warm. ½ cup BBQ sauce, ¼ cup Buffalo sauce
- Once the cauliflower is crispy, add the baked cauliflower to a large bowl. Toss with the Buffalo BBQ sauce and serve immediately with the Buffalo ranch dressing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
