These easy vegan buffalo cauliflower bites come together quickly, using just one bowl and ingredients you probably already have on hand. Pairs best with fresh vegetables and dipping sauce of choice.
Typically baked cauliflower recipes call for lots of prep work with multiple batters and lots of steps (read: a lot of time, dishes, and effort). My goal with this recipe was to simplify the steps and ingredients, but still have the end result be crispy and delicious.
I did just that and I am thrilled to share these easy vegan buffalo cauliflower bites with you!
My secret? Frozen cauliflower.
Why we are using frozen cauliflower;
- It's cheaper than fresh cauliflower and requires zero chopping or additional prep work
- Letting it just slightly defrost makes the cauliflower just a bit wet, allowing the other ingredients to stick to it easily. No additional batter needed!
- Less dishes (it's ok to jump for joy or yell "HOOORAY!")
Additionally, we are using a store-bought dairy-free buffalo sauce that tastes as buffalo sauce should. It's creamy, tangy, spicy, and made without any added junk.
Love buffalo sauce? Be sure to check out my Vegan Buffalo Tofu Grain Bowl and Vegan Buffalo Jackfruit Flatbread Pizza.
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FAQs about baked buffalo cauliflower bites
This simple vegan buffalo cauliflower is made from frozen cauliflower, arrowroot starch, almond flour, garlic, pepper, salt, and a vegan buffalo sauce.
Tessemae's All Natural Buffalo Sauce, Primal Kitchen No Dairy Buffalo Sauce, Noble Made by The New Primal, and Frank's Red Hot Sauce are all vegan options. I use Primal Kitchen for the flavor and the simplicity of the ingredients.
Defrost the frozen cauliflower slightly, by letting it sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes. This makes it easy for other ingredients to stick to the cauliflower, without creating additional batters. After the cauliflower is coated, bake in the oven as you would with fresh cauliflower.
Combine frozen cauliflower with arrowroot, spices, almond flour, and buffalo sauce. Bake for 30-35 minutes, remove, and enjoy.
Toss with arrowroot first, then add almond flour and a sauce for the almond flour to stick to. This creates a crispy outer coating as the cauliflower bakes in the oven.
Ingredients needed for vegan buffalo cauliflower bites
- Frozen cauliflower
- Arrowroot starch
- Almond flour
- Garlic granules
- Black pepper
- Iodized salt
- Non-dairy buffalo sauce (Primal Kitchen is my favorite)
How to make buffalo cauliflower bites
- Add frozen cauliflower to a bowl and coat with arrowroot starch.
- Add almond flour, spices, and buffalo sauce. Stir to combine.
- Place onto a lined baking sheet and bake until crispy/slightly charred.
For exact measurements and detailed step-by-step directions, scroll to the recipe card below.
Substitutions and variations
Black pepper: omit or decrease amount if desired.
Iodized salt: it is necessary to consume when living a vegan lifestyle to ensure proper thyroid function. However, if you are taking a supplement or consume it in other forms of food, feel free to use kosher, sea salt, or Himalayan pink salt in this recipe.
For more information on iodized salt and vegans, check out this article. For more information on possible dietary supplements vegans should take, check out this post.
Buffalo sauce: I highly recommend using a non-dairy buffalo sauce. Alternatively, whisk together melted vegan butter, hot sauce, and a few pinches of pepper and garlic for a homemade option.
Ways to serve and eat buffalo bites
- Serve as is with a side of buffalo sauce, vegan ranch dressing, or vegan blue cheese dressing
- Pair with fresh celery, carrots, snap peas, and/or cucumbers
- On top of a salad or rice bowl
- Make buffalo cauliflower tacos using an almond flour wrap
Storage and reheating tips
These vegan buffalo bites are best fresh out of the oven. If you have leftovers, store in the fridge for 3-5 days in a covered container. To reheat warm a skillet with a touch of avocado oil and add cauliflower bites. Let warm for 3-5 minutes, tossing occasionally.
📋 Recipe
Easy Baked Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
- 16 oz package of frozen organic cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
- ⅓ cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules or powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- large pinch of iodized salt
- ½ cup no dairy buffalo sauce (I used primal kitchen)
Instructions
- Remove frozen cauliflower from the freezer and let sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes (this allows the cauliflower to just slightly defrost, allowing the other ingredients to stick to it).
- Preheat oven to 445 and line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- Add cauliflower to a large mixing bowl and toss with arrowroot starch until coated. Then add almond flour garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss again. Add buffalo sauce and stir together to coat the cauliflower.
- Pour cauliflower onto the lined baking sheet (make sure pieces aren't touching, this helps the cauliflower bake evenly and prevents large clumps of flour combining while baking).
- Bake on the middle rack for 30-35 minutes or until cauliflower is golden brown/charred to your liking. *optional: at the 15 minute mark, flip cauliflower bites over and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove and enjoy! *optional: for extra flavorful and spicy bites, drizzle or toss in extra buffalo sauce.
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