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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

    By Elaine Gordon · Published: Jan 13, 2022 · Modified: Sep 1, 2023

    Jump to Recipe

    Flavorful, crispy, and satisfying Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a must-have when it comes to game day. Add this recipe to your appetizer spread with a side of ranch for an absolute classic made vegan and gluten-free (paleo too)!

    Crispy buffalo cauliflower bites a bowl of vegan ranch dressing on a white plate next to carrot sticks and celery sticks.

    Buffalo wings are high, high up on my husband's list of favorite foods, so you can imagine how excited he was when he found out I was developing a recipe for Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites! He was all too happy to be my official taste tester. This final recipe got devoured (he ate almost the entire batch in one sitting!), and they're even more satisfying and filling than I thought they would be.

    The flavor is SUPER authentic, with an incredibly crispy outside and tender inside. It's perfect paired with my Homemade Vegan Ranch Dressing! My husband is absolutely thrilled that this recipe is getting added to our game day appetizer spread, and I'm so excited to have a vegan buffalo wings recipe for all of the other fans out there!

    Click Here for the Ultimate Vegan Football Food Roundup!
    Vegan buffalo cauliflower bites and homemade ranch dressing on a gray plate.

    Ingredients

    This recipe only has 5 ingredients! The breadcrumbs are an easy one to make ahead of time so they're ready to go when you want to make these bites.

    Ingredients for buffalo cauliflower bites in separate bowls on a marble white background.
    • Cauliflower - I used a medium head of cauliflower (1.5 pounds) cut into small, even-sized florets. Cutting the cauliflower evenly is an important step because we want them to cook evenly!
    • Arrowroot Powder - This is a thickening agent that works similarly to corn starch. It thickens at a low temperature and adds a bit of stretchiness. When combined with water it turns into a batter that helps the breadcrumbs stick to the cauliflower!
    • Panko Breadcrumbs - You can buy gluten-free breadcrumbs, but I prefer my homemade gluten-free vegan version for taste, texture and nutrition (it adds plant-based protein and healthy fats)! These are really simple to make, and for this recipe I pulse them a few extra times in the food processor since I find smaller crumbs stick to the cauliflower better.
    • Vegan Butter - I usually reach for Miyokos brand. It has amazing flavor and it melts just like real butter. You could also use an avocado oil spray for a lightened-up version, although I preferred the taste of the vegan butter.
    • Buffalo Sauce - This recipe calls for one cup of buffalo sauce, which is exactly one bottle of the Primal Kitchen sauce I love! You can use any buffalo sauce you like; just double check the ingredients.
    Watch My 1-Minute Reel on Cutting Cauliflower!

    How to Make Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

    This dish has a few more steps than most of my recipes, but I promise it's super easy to make! A little bit of preparation and ingredient assembly at the beginning goes a long way in making delicious and crispy cauliflower bites.

    Homemade panko breadcrumbs in a white bowl with a white marble background.
    A white bowl with a white marble background.
    A hand dipping a cauliflower floret into water.
    A hand dipping a cauliflower floret into the breadcrumbs to coat it.
    Raw cauliflower florets in a black cast iron skillet.
    A hand pouring vegan butter onto cauliflower florets in a cast iron skillet.
    Cauliflower florets in a cast iron skillet.
    Cooked cauliflower bites coated with buffalo sauce on a cast iron skillet.
    Tongs lifting a cauliflower floret above cooked cauliflower bites coated with buffalo sauce on a cast iron skillet.
    Cooked cauliflower bites coated with buffalo sauce on a cast iron skillet.
    Cooked cauliflower bites coated with buffalo sauce on a cast iron skillet.
    Cooked cauliflower bites coated with buffalo sauce on a cast iron skillet.
    1. Start with some prep. Preheat the oven, line a baking sheet, and pour the breadcrumbs into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the arrowroot powder with the water until it's smooth and thick (it should have a texture like glue). This is your batter!
    2. It's time to batter the florets! One at a time, dip them into the arrowroot liquid, then into the breadcrumbs. They should be fully coated on all sides before you place them on the baking sheet (or cast iron skillet). Once they're all battered, drizzle the bites with melted butter or spray them generously with avocado oil spray.
    3. Bake the bites. Put them in a 425-degree oven for 15 minutes on the middle rack. Remove them from the oven and toss them in the buffalo sauce; just like before, each piece should be fully coated. This can be done on the baking sheet or in a large bowl. I use tongs and handle the florets very gently so they stay intact! Bake for another 5 minutes.
    4. Flip and bake for 5 more minutes! Flip each floret 180 degrees, drizzle with the rest of the melted butter (or give them another spray with avocado oil), and bake for a final 5 minutes. Watch closely at the end to make sure they don't burn.
    5. Serve them hot. Use tongs to move the bites onto a serving platter and serve them alongside carrots, celery sticks, and vegan ranch dressing for dipping.

    Tip to make them extra crispy: After baking, broil the bites at 550-degrees for a couple of minutes to finish them off! Again, watch closely to avoid burning all of your hard work!

    Vegan buffalo cauliflower bites served on a plate with ranch dressing.

    How to Store

    These bites are best served fresh. They can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator and enjoyed for up 2-3 days, but they will not be as crispy as when they are fresh out of the oven.

    When reheating, broil for a couple minutes for best results to help them get crispy again. You can also reheat in the oven or air fryer. Microwaving will certainly heat them up, but you would be sacrificing the crispiness that way.

    The Best Vegan Buffalo Sauce

    This recipe calls for one cup of vegan buffalo sauce. I use the Primal Kitchen brand, which you can now find in most major grocery stores. They have a short, clean ingredient list that starts with avocado oil and cashew butter. Primal Kitchen also makes a jalapeño buffalo sauce if you want to really turn up the heat!

    Vegan buffalo cauliflower bites served on a plate with ranch dressing.

    All About Cauliflower

    I don't think most people realize how versatile and amazing cauliflower is! Cauliflower is full of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid. It’s also really low in calories and great for digestion and iron absorption as well. I use it to make Vegan Shawarma, in savory and comforting Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic, and even as a hidden veggie in some of my favorite smoothies!

    Click Here for Crispy Oven Roasted Cauliflower
    Vegan buffalo cauliflower bites served on a plate with carrot sticks and celery sticks.

    Buffalo Bites with Plant-Based Protein

    Even though these bites are totally vegan, they still contain a decent amount of plant-based protein thanks to my breadcrumb recipe! Since the breadcrumbs are both vegan and gluten-free, I make them with almonds and cashews for an alternative that's flavorful and gives the perfect structure and crunch to any recipe that uses them.

    Almonds have many benefits for vegans. They are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. They also offer a good source of fiber, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and calcium. 

    Cashews, also important in the vegan diet, have plant-based protein as well in addition to copper, magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, phosphorous and zinc. 

    A cauliflower buffalo bite in ranch dressing with celery sticks on a plate of more cauliflower buffalo bites.
    A hand dipping a cauliflower bite into ranch dressing.
    A hand holding a vegan cauliflower buffalo bite above a plate of cauliflower buffalo bites.

    Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

    What's a good cauliflower buffalo bites recipe without ranch dressing to go with it?! I serve these crispy bites with celery, carrots, and my Homemade Vegan Ranch. This recipe tastes just like the real deal, and when served with these bites, it's a super authentic game day appetizer!

    Click Here: Vegan Homemade Ranch Dressing
    Overhead angle of crispy vegan cauliflower buffalo bites next to celery sticks and carrot sticks on a plate.

    These bites are vegan (no meat, eggs, or dairy!), gluten-free, paleo and Whole30 friendly. They're a really fun and allergen-friendly addition to game day! If you make them, tag me on Instagram and leave a review below so I can cheer you on.

    For more vegan and gluten-free recipes delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to my newsletter! New subscribers receive a free printable download with 10 Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes.

    45 degree angle of crispy vegan cauliflower buffalo bites next to celery sticks and carrot sticks on a plate.

    More Vegan & Gluten-Free Appetizers

    • Best Vegan 7-Layer Dip
    • Sheet Pan Vegan Nachos
    • Easy Vegan Zucchini Pizza Bites
    • Best Crispy BBQ Roasted Cauliflower
    • Actually Crispy BBQ Roasted Chickpeas
    • Mini Peppers with Roasted Sweet Pepper Hummus
    • Dijon Chickpea Fritters
    • Vegan & Gluten-Free Baked Crispy Cauliflower Poppers
    • Sweet & Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
    • Healthy Maple Candied Pecans
    • Sweet & Spiced Roasted Chickpeas
    Click Here for the Ultimate Vegan Football Food Roundup!
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    How to Make Crispy Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

    Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Vegan and Gluten-Free)


    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Elaine Gordon
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 20-22 bites 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Flavorful, crispy, and satisfying buffalo cauliflower bites are a must-have when it comes to game day...and these are vegan and gluten-free!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 medium (1.5 pounds) head of cauliflower, cut into small even-sized florets (see my 1-minute video on how to cut cauliflower into florets)
    • 3 tablespoons filtered water
    • 5 tablespoons arrowroot powder
    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (this is my homemade gluten-free vegan version)
    • ¼ cup vegan butter and/or avocado oil spray
    • 1 cup vegan paleo buffalo sauce (I love Primal Kitchen - 1 bottle is 1 cup)
    • serve with my homemade vegan ranch dip alongside carrots and celery sticks

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a half sheet baking sheet with parchment paper OR spray a cast iron skillet very generously with avocado oil.
    2. Pour the breadcrumbs into a wide bowl and set aside. I find this recipe works best with finer breadcrumbs (the larger chunks won't stick as well to the cauliflower).
    3. In another bowl, whisk together water and arrowroot powder until smooth. It should be thick and sticky like glue. This is your batter.  
    4. To “batter” the cauliflower florets, dip them one at a time, first into the water/arrowroot powder mixture (fully coating) and second into the panko breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides with breadcrumbs. Place on the baking sheet or in the skillet and repeat until all florets have been fully coated.
    5. Spray the breaded cauliflower bites very generously with avocado oil spray. Or, drizzle half of the melted butter overtop. Bake for 15 minutes on the middle rack.
    6. Remove from oven and toss the cauliflower bites well in the buffalo sauce to fully coat each piece.  You can do this on the pan directly by drizzling the buffalo sauce overtop each piece or place all cauliflower in a bowl and toss very gently with tongs until fully coated.
    7. Once fully coated in the buffalo sauce, bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and use tongs to flip each floret 180 degrees. 
    8. Drizzle with the rest of the melted butter (or spray with more avocado oil spray). Bake another 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy, watching closely at the end to ensure they do not burn. 
    9. If you want to get them extra crispy, you can broil them at 550 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple minutes at the very end (again watch closely to avoid burning).
    10. Use tongs to transfer the crispy cauliflower bites to a serving platter. Serve immediately while hot alongside carrots and celery sticks with chilled vegan ranch dressing for dipping.

    Equipment

    parchment paper

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    Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

    12-inch cast iron skillet

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    Nordic Ware Baking Sheet product image

    half-sheet baking sheet

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    Notes

    These are best served fresh. They can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator and enjoyed later but they will not be as crispy as when they are fresh out of the oven. If reheating from the refrigerator, broil for a couple minutes to help them get crispy again.

    Avocado oil spray works for a lighter version but I prefer the flavor and texture with the melted vegan butter.  

    • Prep Time: 15
    • Cook Time: 25
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: Oven Baked

    Keywords: vegan cauliflower bites

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @eatingbyelaine on Instagram and hashtag it #eatingbyelaine

    • Cauliflower
    • Super Bowl
    • Gluten-Free
    • Paleo
    • Refined Sugar-Free
    • Vegan
    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Oven-Baked
    • Easy

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. coco says

      September 05, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      my arrowroot mixture was watery and the arrowroot stuck to the bottom of the bowl. How do i avoid this in the future

      Reply
      • Elaine Gordon says

        September 17, 2022 at 7:29 pm

        Hi, Coco. I'm sorry to hear it didn't go smoothly for you. Did you whisk the arrowroot mixture well? You might want to whisk immediately to avoid the clumping at the bottom. And maybe try and keep adding warm water until it is incorporated. I hope that helps. Did it turn out okay overall? Elaine

        Reply
    2. Bobby Gordon says

      September 01, 2023 at 10:37 am






      Reply
    3. Bobby says

      September 02, 2023 at 10:14 am






      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Elaine.

    Here I combine my passion for creating easy plant-based and gluten-free recipes with my health education background (MPH, MCHES) to make cooking approachable for anyone regardless of dietary restrictions or sensitivities.

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