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5.0 from 363 votes

Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Wings [Oven or Air Fryer]

Cauliflower buffalo wings are spicy, delicious and flavourful. Crispy on the outside, tender in the middle for the perfect game day snack!

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 118 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: American , Canadian

Ingredients

  • 1 small cauliflower cut into small bite sized florets
  • ½ cup brown rice flour or flour of choice if not avoiding gluten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1.5 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cashew milk or milk of choice
Buffalo Wing Sauce Ingredients
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
Optional Dipping Sauce (highly recommended)
  • 1 recipe dairy free ranch dressing

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. If making the ranch dipping sauce, start by putting your cashews to soak before you begin prepping your cauliflower. Once soaked, prepare the ranch according to its directions and refrigerate until needed.
  2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
  3. Place your cut up cauliflower in a large bowl. Then in a separate bowl, combine your flour and all the seasonings and mix to combine. Then add the milk and mix well to make your batter. Now pour the batter into your bowl with the cauliflower and mix well to evenly coat each piece.
  4. Place your coated cauliflower on your prepared baking tray, one at a time, in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes. Flip once at the halfway point.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare your buffalo wing sauce by adding all its ingredients to a small sauce pan. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavours to combine.
  6. Remove the cauliflower from the oven, and coat the bites in your buffalo sauce. I use a silicone brush to brush each piece of cauliflower with a generous amount of the sauce. Then return to the oven for 10-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
  7. Serve with ranch and dunk away.
Air Fryer Instructions
  1. Place your cut up cauliflower in a large bowl. Then in a separate bowl, combine your flour and all the seasonings and mix to combine. Then add the milk and mix well to make your batter. Now pour the batter into your bowl with the cauliflower and mix well to evenly coat each piece.
  2. Place your coated cauliflower into your crisp basket, inside the Ninja Foodi appliance. Then set it to 390 degrees F and air fry for 20 minutes, shaking your basket every 5 minutes or so.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare your buffalo wing sauce by adding all its ingredients to a small sauce pan. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavours to combine.
  4. Then use a silicone brush to evenly coat your florets in the buffalo sauce. Continue air frying for another 10-15 minutes, shaking or flipping your florets at the halfway point. Cook time will vary according to the air fryer model you're using and floret size.
  5. Serve with ranch and dunk away.

Notes

  • If using the ranch dressing, prepare first and refrigerate until needed.
  • For nut free, use soy or oat milk instead of cashew.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat in your air fryer, oven or toaster oven.
  • After coating your Buffalo cauliflower wings in the batter, do not dump them onto your baking tray. Excess batter at the bottom of the bowl will pool on your tray, causing the bites to stick together, and stick to the parchment paper. This will make them less crispy.
  • I know it's tedious, but for best results, place your vegan buffalo wings on your baking tray, one piece at a time.
  • Make sure your vegan buffalo wings are in a single layer, with space in between each one. This will help crisp them up more.
  • Flip your cauliflower at the halfway point of the first AND second round (after coating in the Buffalo sauce) of baking. This helps get the most crispiness out of these delicious buffalo bites.

Nutrition Information

Calories 118cal (6%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 1g (2%) Sodium 732mg (31%) Potassium 440mg (13%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 907IU (18%) Vitamin C 35mg (39%) Calcium 32mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 118

% Daily Value*

Calories 118cal 6%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 1g 2%
Sodium 732mg 31%
Potassium 440mg 9%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 907IU 18%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Calcium 32mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.