Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
User Reviews
4.9
Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Description
Get the Recipe Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites uses fresh cauliflower florets coated in a combination of cornstarch, egg wash, and seasoned panko crumbs, then baked at a high temperature to achieve a crisp coating. The coating includes onion and garlic powder along with salt and freshly ground black pepper for flavor depth. Once baked, the cauliflower bites are tossed in buffalo sauce, which adds a spicy and tangy element. Baking on oven-safe cooling racks prevents sogginess by allowing air circulation and moisture to drain. The recipe allows for adjustment in buffalo sauce quantity to suit taste.
The flavor is characterized by the balance between the spicy buffalo sauce and the mildly sweet, nutty flavor of cauliflower with a crispy texture from the panko coating. The coating also gives a golden color and crunch similar to fried foods without deep frying.
These bites are served as a snack or appetizer and pair well with blue cheese dressing for dipping, which adds a creamy and cooling contrast to the heat. They are convenient finger foods, suitable for sharing and casual gatherings.
For leftovers, the recipe advises keeping some cauliflower pieces uncoated with sauce to prevent sogginess. Reheating in an air fryer or back in the oven helps restore crispness. Using baking racks again is recommended when reheating for best texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower cut into florets, head
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 cup panko
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 to 3/4 /2 to 3/4 cup buffalo sauce or to taste
- blue cheese dressing to dip, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking sheet by placing oven-safe cooling racks on top of it (if you don't have these, line with parchment paper); lightly grease the racks with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. I recommend trimming the stems so they are more "nugget" shaped and easier to pick up and dip. You want them to be relatively similar in size so they cook at the same rate.
- Toss the cauliflower florets with the corn starch until completely coated. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and water until combined. Set aside.
- In another shallow bowl, stir together the panko, onion and garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip the corn starch-coated cauliflower in the egg mixture, making sure all excess egg drips off of the cauliflower. Then, transfer to the panko mixture and toss until completely coated. It helps to use one hand for the egg wash, and one for the panko.
- Place on the cooling rack-lined baking sheet and continue the dipping process until all cauliflower pieces are coated.
- Bake for 18-23 minutes until the cauliflower is fork-tender and the panko is golden brown. While the bites bake, make your homemade buffalo sauce.
- Once baked, transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl and toss or brush on the buffalo sauce, gently stirring to coat to keep the panko intact. To keep the bites extra crispy, skip tossing them and instead dip them in the buffalo sauce while eating.
- Serve immediately (especially if you tossed the bites) with blue cheese, ranch, and/or celery sticks as desired.
Notes
- Do not coat all cauliflower pieces in buffalo sauce if you expect leftovers; keep some plain for better reheating.
- Store leftover baked cauliflower in the refrigerator.
- To re-crisp leftovers, preheat an air fryer to 390°F and cook for 3-5 minutes or reheat in the oven on cooling racks.
- Using cooling racks when baking or reheating helps maintain crisp texture by allowing moisture to drain.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 121 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 121kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 751mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 483mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 60IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 69mg | 77% |
| Calcium | 68mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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