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Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: Easy Game Day Snack

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These crispy buffalo cauliflower bites offer a shatteringly crisp exterior and tender interior, providing a healthy, gluten-free adaptable alternative to traditional game day wings without the heavy guilt.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower (cut into bite-sized florets)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup rice flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice)
  • 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan)
  • 1 tsp hot sauce
  • 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot sauce
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional)
  • Blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for serving
  • Celery sticks for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two large baking sheets with a wire rack.
  2. Pat cauliflower florets completely dry with paper towels to ensure breading sticks.
  3. In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, rice flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. In another shallow bowl, whisk buttermilk, beaten egg, and hot sauce until smooth.
  5. Dredge each floret in the dry mix, shaking off excess.
  6. Dip the floured floret into the buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off.
  7. Press the floret back into the dry mix for a second coating (double-dusting technique) and place on the wire rack.
  8. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and crisp.
  9. While baking, melt butter in a small saucepan and whisk in Frank’s RedHot sauce and honey until warm and combined.
  10. Remove cauliflower from oven and immediately toss in the buffalo sauce.
  11. Serve immediately with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Notes

Do not skip patting the cauliflower dry, as moisture prevents the breading from sticking. Use a wire rack to allow air circulation and prevent soggy bottoms. Toss the cauliflower in sauce immediately while hot for best adherence. For air fryer instructions, cook at 380°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, game day snack, crispy cauliflower, healthy wings alternative, gluten-free snack, spicy appetizer, air fryer cauliflower

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/crispy-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-easy-game-day-snack/