Cauliflower Buffalo Wings with Vegan Ranch

Cauliflower Buffalo Wings are a wildly popular vegan and vegetarian-friendly alternative to traditional chicken wings. Crispy, spicy, and irresistibly saucy, these cauliflower bites are baked—not fried—and coated with a delicious tangy buffalo sauce. Pair them with a cool, creamy vegan ranch dip, and you have a crowd-pleasing appetizer, snack, or game-day treat that satisfies cravings without the heaviness of meat or deep-frying.

The cauliflower absorbs flavor beautifully while maintaining a satisfying bite, creating a perfect balance between heat from the buffalo sauce and coolness from the ranch dressing. This recipe proves that plant-based cooking can be bold, exciting, and bursting with texture and taste.

Why I Love This Recipe

• It’s fun, flavorful, and satisfying, even for non-vegans.
• Uses whole, plant-based ingredients and still feels indulgent.
• Easy to customize depending on spice level and flavor preferences.
• Perfect for parties, meal prep, movie nights, or just snacking.

Why It's a Must-Try Dish

If you're trying to eat less meat without giving up flavor, this dish is a game-changer. These cauliflower wings have:

• A crispy coating
• A spicy, tangy buffalo glaze
• A cool and creamy dipping sauce

Even people who say they don’t like cauliflower usually love this recipe!

Preparation & Cooking Information

Category	Details
Prep Time	15–20 minutes
Cooking Time	25–30 minutes
Total Time	40–50 minutes
Servings	4 servings
Calories	Approx. 260 calories per serving (including dip)
Course	Appetizer / Snack
Cuisine	American / Vegan Comfort Food

Ingredients

For the Cauliflower Wings:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant milk)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for extra crispiness)

For the Buffalo Sauce:

• ½ cup hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot preferred)
• 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

Vegan Ranch Dressing:

• ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions (Summary)

1. Preheat oven and prepare cauliflower batter.
2. Coat florets and bake until golden and crisp.
3. Brush on buffalo sauce and bake again.
4. Prepare vegan ranch dip.
5. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Cauliflower

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Cut cauliflower into medium florets and rinse well.

Step 2: Make the Batter

• In a large bowl, whisk flour, plant milk, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Batter should be thick but pourable.

Step 3: Coat and Bake

• Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, coating evenly.
• Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
• Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 4: Add Buffalo Sauce

• Mix melted vegan butter, hot sauce, and maple syrup.
• Remove cauliflower from oven and brush generously with sauce.
• Return to oven for another 10 minutes, or until crispy.

Step 5: Make Vegan Ranch

• Stir vegan mayo, non-dairy milk, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice together.
• Chill until serving.

How to Serve

Serve the buffalo cauliflower wings:

• Fresh from the oven
• With vegan ranch, celery sticks, or carrot sticks
• On a platter for parties or game-day snacks
• As a wrap or taco filling with lettuce and avocado

Special Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Mixing bowls
• Pastry brush (for sauce)

Tips for Best Results

• Space the florets—crowding makes them soggy.
• Use cornstarch in the batter for extra crunch.
• Serve immediately—texture is best when hot.
• Use a wire rack over the baking tray for even crisping.

Variations

Gluten-Free Version:

• Use gluten-free flour.

Sweet & Spicy Version:

• Add extra maple syrup or agave to buffalo sauce.

Lemon Pepper Wings:

• Swap buffalo sauce for lemon juice, pepper, and olive oil.

BBQ Cauliflower Wings:

• Replace buffalo sauce with vegan barbecue sauce.

Storage and Freezing

Storage Method	Duration	Notes
Refrigerator	2–3 days	Reheat in oven or air fryer
Freezer	Up to 1 month	Freeze after first bake; sauce after reheating
Reheating	10–15 min at 400°F	Avoid microwaving—it softens them

FAQ

Q: Can I air fry instead of bake?
Yes! Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, then sauce and cook 5 more minutes.

Q: Can I make these oil-free?
Yes—skip the vegan butter and use hot sauce alone, but texture will be less rich.

Q: Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Not recommended, as it contains too much moisture.

Conclusion

Cauliflower Buffalo Wings with Vegan Ranch are a bold, flavorful, and satisfying plant-based snack that anyone can enjoy. They offer the comforting spice of traditional buffalo wings while being healthier, lighter, and more ethically conscious. Whether you're vegan, reducing meat, or simply love trying creative recipes, this dish will quickly become a favorite.