Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe (Gluten Free)

This Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe is the perfect appetizer to make for your guests who aren’t meat eaters, but still want to indulge in something similar to chicken wings. The have always been a huge crowd pleaser for game day or a side dish with dinner.

My taste buds are screaming with joy while enjoying these vegan buffalo wings. I’m not going to lie I might almost prefer these to real hot wings.

Now don’t get me wrong, these don’t taste exactly like fried buffalo wings. Anybody that tells you battered cauliflower tastes like a chicken wing is a straight up liar.

However the flavors are very similar, it’s an easy recipe, a healthy snack, and perfect for your next party. I bake mine in the oven but you could definitely fry them in your air fryer basket instead.

If you love easy appetizers you may also want to try my Easy Baked Brie Recipe With Jalapeño Apricot Jam or my Easy Low Carb Spinach Dip Recipe.

Vegan cauliflower buffalo wings are a great substitution for real chicken. You still get the same flavours with the vegan buffalo sauce, but plant based or vegans can enjoy it too!

The next time you’re stumped and can’t think of an easy peasy appetizer for any sort of occasion, remember that coated cauliflower is a great option.

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make vegan cauliflower wings (the exact measurements and full recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• Cauliflower
• Chickpea flour – alternatively you can also use gluten-free flour, all-purpose flour (if you’re not gluten free), or almond flour.
• Cayenne Pepper
• Garlic Powder – could also add onion powder for the garlic and onion powder duo.
• Paprika
• Salt + Black Pepper
• Unsweetened Almond Milk – any plant-based milk will work as long as the flavor is mild.
• Water
• Panko Bread Crumbs – gluten free or regular both work great. These will make the crunchy coating.
• Franks Red Hot Sauce – ideal for the spicy buffalo sauce but other hot sauces may work okay.
• Vegan Butter – the melted butter will tone down the spice level, so you can add more or less depending on preference.
• Serving it with – celery sticks, carrot sticks, vegan blue cheese dressing, vegan ranch dip, etc.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER RECIPE

Heat oven to 350F. Then line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Chop up cauliflower into bite size cauliflower florets.

In a large bowl, combine chickpea flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, almond milk and water. Dip the cauliflower pieces into the batter then into the panko breadcrumbs.

Place florets on baking sheet about 1 inch apart in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the florets half way through.

Mix together melted vegan butter and franks red hot sauce in a small bowl.

Remove florets from oven. Using tongs, dip them in the hot sauce mixture. Coat them evenly and place back on baking sheet to bake for another 20 minutes. Turn oven on broil and broil the florets for 2 minutes, being careful not to burn them.

Serve with celery, carrots, and vegan ranch dressing.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER

Making these in the air fryer may result in a more crispy exterior, however it will take much longer as there isn’t much room in most air fryers to spread the bites out evenly. The following day when you’d like to reheat the remaining bite-sized pieces I highly recommend using the air fryer to get them nice and crispy.

If you don’t have an oven or prefer the air fryer you can spread them out in a single layer without them touching and fry at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Then you will toss in the hot sauce before serving.

You will most likely need to do 2-3 batches to avoid overcrowding the vegan buffalo cauliflower wings recipe. If they are on top of each other they are more likely to get soggy.

OTHER VARIATIONS FOR THE VEGAN WINGS

• Like any regular chicken wing, if you want them to be more crispy you can hold off on the buffalo sauce and serve it on the side. When you add any type of sauce to chicken wings or cauliflower wings it typically will make them slightly more soggy.
• Instead of almond milk you can use cashew milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk with a mild flavor. Alternatively you can also use cow’s milk, but the wings will no longer be vegan.
• Instead of chickpea flour you can easily use gluten-free flour or almond flour. All-purpose flour or wheat flour also works beautifully if you are not celiac or gluten-intolerant.
• The panko bread crumbs don’t absolutely need to be added. The wet batter will be enough, however I do find these slightly tastier with the added bread crumbs.
• You can use different types of sauces such as bbq sauce for bbq cauliflower wings, sweet chili sauce or teriyaki also work.

Other Delicious Savoury Appetizers You May Like To Try

• Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed With Goat Cheese
• Gluten Free Pizza Bites
• KFC Style Popcorn Chicken Recipe (Vegan)
• Pepperoni Pizza Dip
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Gnocchi

IF YOU TRIED THIS VEGAN BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS RECIPE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails