Super Bowl Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable)
Crispy, spicy cauliflower bites in tangy buffalo sauce, ideal for game day snacking or a flavorful vegetarian appetizer.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
→ Batter
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Buffalo Sauce
09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank's RedHot)
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
→ For Serving (optional)
12 - Celery sticks
13 - Carrot sticks
14 - Blue cheese or ranch dressing
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until a smooth, lump-free batter forms.
03 - Add the cauliflower florets to the prepared batter. Gently toss to ensure each floret is evenly coated. Lift and shake off any excess batter before arranging the florets in a single layer on the lined baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap.
04 - Bake the coated cauliflower in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Halfway through this time, carefully flip the florets to promote even browning and crispness, until they are lightly golden.
05 - While the cauliflower bakes, combine the melted unsalted butter, hot sauce, and the optional honey or maple syrup in a small bowl. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce is uniform.
06 - Remove the partially baked cauliflower from the oven and transfer it to a large clean bowl. Pour the prepared buffalo sauce over the florets and gently toss to coat every piece thoroughly.
07 - Return the sauced cauliflower to the baking sheet, ensuring they are again in a single layer. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the buffalo sauce is bubbling.
08 - Serve the Super Bowl Buffalo Cauliflower Bites hot. They pair wonderfully with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's a sneaky way to get delicious veggies into even the pickiest eaters.
- You get all the glorious buffalo flavor and crispy texture without the deep-fried guilt.
02 -
- Overcrowding the baking sheet is the arch-nemesis of crispiness; give those florets their space to breathe and brown evenly.
- Ensure each floret is fully coated in the batter before the first bake; uneven coverage leads to an inconsistent crunch.
03 -
- You can prep the cauliflower florets and mix the dry batter ingredients ahead of time; keep them separate until just before you're ready to bake.
- For the best texture, these are undeniably best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but leftovers can be crisped up beautifully in an air fryer or even a hot skillet.