Buffalo Cauliflower

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my buffalo cauliflower recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Cauliflower – I like to start with a whole head of cauliflower and chop it into bite-sized pieces myself for that perfect uniform look. But if you’re short on time, grabbing pre-cut florets works.
• Olive Oil – This is my go-to to get the spices to stick to the cauliflower and help those florets get nicely browned in the oven. Any heat-safe oil you’ve got will do the trick.
• Buffalo Sauce – They’re not buffalo wings without the hot sauce, right? Pick your favorite to bring that classic heat.
• Unsalted Butter – I mix it with the buffalo sauce to temper the heat a bit and make it more rich. If you’re looking for a vegan or low-dairy option, swap in some ghee, butter flavored coconut oil, or even more olive oil.
• Spices – I keep it simple with sea salt and black pepper, and sometimes throw in some garlic powder for a little something extra.

See my variations below for breading options or other sauces.

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How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Season. Place the cauliflower florets in a large bowl, drizzle with the oil, and season with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Toss to coat.
2. Bake. Transfer the cauliflower to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and arrange in a single layer. Roast until browned and tender.

3. Make the sauce. Heat the butter and buffalo sauce together in the microwave, or on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Whisk to combine.
4. Toss together. Transfer the cauliflower to a bowl and pour the buffalo melted butter mixture over it. Gently toss to coat. Enjoy your baked buffalo cauliflower bites — see my serving ideas below!

Breading & Sauce Variations

Like I often do, I made this buffalo cauliflower simple and left the variations up to you. It can totally be breaded or rock other sauces:

Breading:

• Cornstarch – In a large zip lock bag or large bowl with a lid, combine the spices above with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. Add the cauliflower florets, seal, and shake to coat. Add oil, shake again, and follow the rest of my buffalo cauliflower recipe as usual.
• Breadcrumbs – Not my favorite, but you can dip the florets in whisked egg (with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder mixed in), then dip in a mixture of your favorite breadcrumbs before roasting. This version is a lot more work!
• Low carb version – Combine 1 1/3 cups of almonds with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a food processor. Pulse until the consistency is like a coarse meal (avoid over-processing). You can use this “breading” using the shake method (like cornstarch above) or dip individually (like breadcrumbs above). Cook per recipe instructions.

Sauces:

• BBQ – Make this version if you prefer smoky sweetness over heat! I like to use my sugar free BBQ sauce.
• Garlic Parmesan – Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet and saute 4 cloves of minced garlic in it, letting them sizzle until fragrant. Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese, and stir until smooth. Pour it over your cauliflower bites and watch them disappear.
• Teriyaki – Use my teriyaki sauce for something a little sweet, a little salty, a little umami. If you can, grab some sesame seeds for a finishing touch.
• Lemon Pepper – This one’s a bit different because I start with my homemade lemon pepper seasoning. To turn it into a sauce, mix 2 tablespoons of seasoning with 1/2 cup of butter.
• Spicy Honey Mustard – Make my sugar-free honey mustard, then add hot sauce to taste (I usually add a tablespoon).
• Gochujang – This is my latest creation, a mix of buttery, sweet, and a little spicy. Get my gochujang cauliflower recipe here!

Serving Ideas

The zippy sauce in this recipe pairs well with cool and creamy sides. Try these:

• Dipping Sauce – I rotate my homemade ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing to tame the heat, but you can use your fave store-bought brand, too. You can either dip or drizzle on top!
• Veggies – I highly recommend carrots and celery sticks to give your cauliflower buffalo wings those classic chicken wing vibes. But you can also shake things up with cucumber slices, snap peas, or mini bell peppers.
• Salads and Slaws – If you need to cool down from the spice, my creamy cucumber salad or refreshing cucumber tomato avocado salad will do the trick. They’re creamy, crunchy, and the perfect chill companions for fiery dishes.
• Pizza – I love a cheesy pizza with wings, but it’s just as delicious with buffalo cauliflower. But if you have extra cauliflower to use up, try my cauliflower pizza.

And if you love buffalo flavors, don’t miss my spaghetti squash casserole and Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip.

More Easy Cauliflower Recipes

If you like this veggie, try these comforting cauliflower dishes for your next gathering:

Mashed Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cauliflower

Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Parmesan Broccoli And Cauliflower

My Favorite Baking Sheet For This Recipe

This is my go-to baking sheet for just about everything, especially roasting. It cleans up easily, doesn’t warp, and gets my buffalo cauliflower nice and crispy every time.