If you’re craving something crunchy, spicy, and absolutely irresistible, this Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe is about to become your new go-to snack. Trust me, these baked cauliflower wings pack a punch with their crispy coating and that zesty buffalo sauce, and they’re surprisingly simple to whip up!

The image shows a wire rack full of pieces of cauliflower coated with a bright orange sauce, giving them a glossy, slightly charred look in spots. The pieces vary in size, scattered evenly across the rack with fresh green parsley leaves sprinkled around for color contrast. On the left side, there is a small clear glass bowl filled with a white creamy dip placed on a white marbled surface. The overall scene is bright and clean, highlighting the vibrant orange and green colors against the white background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of these buffalo cauliflower wings. They’re perfect for game day, movie night, or whenever you want that classic spicy wing flavor without any fuss or greasy mess.

Easy to Make: Less than 10 ingredients and just 50 minutes from start to finish.
Healthier Alternative: Baked, not fried, for a lighter yet crispy bite.
Flavor Packed: Seasoned batter and bold buffalo sauce for authentic taste.
Versatile Snack: Perfect for vegetarians and customizable for dietary needs.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the freshest cauliflower is key here, and having just the right blend of spices in the batter makes a huge difference. Plus, a good-quality buffalo sauce really elevates the final flavor, so keep that in mind when you're shopping.

Flat lay of a fresh whole head of cauliflower cut into florets arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl of plain white flour, a small white bowl containing bright red ground paprika powder, another small white bowl with light brown onion powder, a small white bowl of finely ground white garlic powder, a small white bowl of coarse salt crystals, a small white bowl filled with creamy pale buttermilk, a small white bowl holding golden melted butter, and a small white bowl of vibrant orange-red buffalo sauce, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cauliflower: The star of the show — firm, fresh florets hold up beautifully when baked.
Flour: Creates the crispy, golden coating around each floret.
Ground Paprika: Adds subtle smoky sweetness to the batter.
Onion Powder: For a little savory depth without chopping onions.
Garlic Powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a mild garlic punch.
Salt: Balances all the spices and brings out natural flavors.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes and helps the batter cling to the cauliflower.
Butter: For melting into the buffalo sauce to add richness.
Buffalo Sauce: The spicy, tangy coating that ties everything together — we love Frank’s!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe is how easily you can tailor it to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and make it truly yours!

Vegan Variation: I swapped the buttermilk for a plant-based version and used coconut oil instead of butter. The cauliflower still turned out perfectly crispy and packed with flavor—just as comforting but plant-friendly!
Gluten-Free Twist: I once tried using a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour, and the batter held up beautifully with just that little extra crispiness, making this wing recipe accessible to everyone.
Extra Spice Kick: If you love things fiery, I like to add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter and swap in a hotter buffalo sauce for an extra bold punch of heat.
Flavor Swap: Sometimes I mix in smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a deeper, smokier flavor that takes these wings from great to unforgettable.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

The image shows many small orange-colored cauliflower pieces with a slightly charred texture, placed on a black wire rack over a white marbled background. The cauliflower pieces are coated in a bright, glossy sauce and scattered with a few green herb leaves. A woman's hand is dipping one piece into a small silver cup filled with a thick white sauce, visible near the center of the image. The lighting highlights the shiny sauce and the crisp texture of the cauliflower. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep the Cauliflower and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit—this ensures it's nice and hot for baking the cauliflower to crispy perfection. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, which keeps the wings from sticking and helps with easy cleanup. While the oven warms up, cut a whole head of cauliflower into medium-sized florets, about bite-sized but still sturdy enough to hold the batter.

Step 2: Whip Up the Flavor-Packed Batter

In a large bowl, combine ¾ cup flour, 1 teaspoon each of ground paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. This seasoning blend is the secret behind that savory, slightly spicy crunch. Pour in ¾ cup buttermilk and stir until you get a thick batter. It should coat your cauliflower well without dripping off. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, no worries — just mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice into ¾ cup of any milk, let it rest 5 minutes, and voilà—homemade buttermilk ready to go!

Step 3: Coat and Arrange the Cauliflower

Drop the cauliflower florets into the batter and gently toss until each piece is generously coated. Don’t rush this step — every bite deserves that crispy, flavorful shell. Arrange the coated florets on your parchment-lined baking sheets, making sure to space them out so air can circulate around each piece. This spacing is key to achieving that coveted crispiness on all sides.

Step 4: Bake to Crispy Perfection

Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. After time's up, take them out and carefully flip each cauliflower piece over. This step ensures even baking so every wing gets that perfect crunch on both sides. Pop them back in and bake for another 20 minutes. Your kitchen will start to smell absolutely heavenly—trust me, that’s the buttery buffalo magic happening!

Step 5: Whisk Together the Buffalo Sauce

While the cauliflower bakes, stir together 2 tablespoons melted butter with ⅓ cup of your favorite Buffalo sauce (Frank’s works wonders here). Whisk until smooth and ready to coat those golden wings with spicy, buttery goodness.

Step 6: Toss and Serve

Once your cauliflower wings are baked to golden crispiness, immediately transfer them to the bowl with buffalo sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly so every floret gets that perfect spicy coating. Serve these hot as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a tasty game day snack — they disappear fast, so maybe make a double batch!

Top Tip

These tips come from lots of kitchen adventures and are the little secrets that make your Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe truly shine every time.

Perfect Coating: Make sure your batter is thick enough to cling to each cauliflower floret. A runny batter won’t give you that crispy, satisfying crust we all crave.
Spacing is Key: Don’t crowd the cauliflower on the baking sheets. Giving each piece space lets hot air circulate and keeps them crispy on all sides, just like traditional wings.
Flip with Care: Use tongs or a spatula to gently flip each piece halfway through baking. This ensures both sides brown evenly without breaking the delicate batter coating.
Finish Immediately: Toss the cauliflower in the buffalo sauce right away while they’re hot to help the sauce stick well and give you that bold, zesty flavor in every bite.

How to Serve Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe

A woman's hand is holding metal tongs gripping a piece of cauliflower being dipped into a thick, light brown batter inside a white bowl with a blue rim. The batter has a smooth texture with specks of seasoning. Around the bowl on a white marbled surface are several raw white cauliflower florets. Above the bowl is a metal tray lined with brown parchment paper, on which several cauliflower pieces are already coated with the same light brown batter. A clear glass measuring cup is partially visible to the left. The scene is bright and clean. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For that perfect finishing touch, sprinkle some finely chopped fresh parsley or chives over your wings. A few celery or carrot sticks on the side not only add crunch but help balance the heat. And of course, don’t forget a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing dip to cool things down between spicy bites!

Side Dishes

This Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe pairs beautifully with classic sides like crispy sweet potato fries, a fresh green salad with tangy vinaigrette, or even some garlic roasted potatoes. For game day, a bowl of crunchy tortilla chips and guacamole makes a winning combo!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, making them a quick snack or appetizer ready to go.

Freezing

If you want to freeze your buffalo cauliflower wings, place baked and cooled wings in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For the crispiest results, reheat wings in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10–12 minutes. This brings the texture back to life better than microwaving, which can make them soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these wings vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the buttermilk for a plant-based version (made with non-dairy milk and vinegar) and replace the butter in the buffalo sauce with coconut oil or vegan butter to keep everything vegan-friendly.

What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?

You can easily make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to ¾ cup of milk (regular or plant-based). Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken, and then it’s ready to use in the batter.

How do I get the cauliflower extra crispy?

Make sure to space out the florets on your baking sheets so air can circulate around them. Also, flipping them halfway through baking helps achieve an even golden crust on both sides.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Replace all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend to keep the recipe gluten-free without losing that delicious crispy texture.

Final Thoughts

Whipping up this Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe is not just about feeding a crowd — it’s about sharing something vibrant, flavorful, and a little bit spicy with your favorite people. Whether you’re gearing up for a big game or just craving a tasty snack, these wings bring the heat without the guilt. So, grab your cauliflower, get baking, and enjoy every crispy, saucy bite!