Best Vegan Cauliflower Wings
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These vegan cauliflower wings are crispy, saucy, and packed with just the right kick. Baked to perfection, so you get all the crunch without the greasy mess!
From Game Day and parties to movie nights and casual evenings, you can’t go wrong with a platter of crunchy wings doused in buffalo sauce.
But what if you can’t have chicken or meat in general?
These buffalo cauliflower wings will make sure everyone can join in on the fun, and no one will have to settle for a sad veggie tray.
Battered, baked crispy, and smothered in buffalo sauce, don’t be surprised to catch yourself wishing you had made more!
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Who says you need meat for that chicken fix? Try vegan buffalo chicken wings and vegan fried chicken! They’re made from seitan, so they’re perfect if you’re not excited about cauliflower.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Cauliflower Wings Recipe
- These vegan cauliflower wings are baked, so you’ll achieve the perfect crunch without the excess grease!
- You can satisfy your cravings for buffalo wings guilt-free with these vegan wings!
- You can jumpstart the prep work for the cauliflower buffalo wings to save time. They can even be cooked in the air fryer!
Ingredients And Substitutions
Cauliflower – Make sure to cut the head of cauliflower into florets that are in a size similar to real wings. We haven’t tried frozen cauliflower for these vegan cauliflower wings.
Flour – For a nice, thick batter coating. We opted for the easily accessible all-purpose flour, but you can read on for GF options!
Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt – These healthy cauliflower wings are as savory and yummy as chicken wings! A little bit of brown sugar will also be perfect for balancing the saltiness of the wings.
Unsweetened almond milk – You can use any vegan milk of choice. Cashew milk won’t impart any noticeable flavor to the batter, while soy milk is a fantastic non dairy milk to keep these vegan wings nut-free.
Panko breadcrumbs – These are non-negotiable to give your vegan buffalo cauliflower wings a perfectly crunchy coating.
Vegan buffalo sauce – Check the label to confirm if your buffalo sauce is vegan. You can also just use it as a dip and enjoy the wings after the initial baking.
Avocado oil – Adds richness, perfectly cutting through the buffalo sauce. Melted vegan butter also works with the addictive flavor of spicy buffalo sauce!
Celery sticks – To accompany your vegan baked cauliflower bites on the platter.
Vegan ranch – Vegan ranch dressing’s tangy flavor complements the hot and savory flavors of the baked cauliflower wings. You can also dip them in vegan cheese sauce.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Cut the Florets Like a Pro
Cut down the center from the core to the top of the cauliflower head to reveal the stems branching off from the center. Then, break off the florets, ensuring they’re not too small or too big.
Make the Vegan Wings Extra Crunchy
For crunchier cauliflower buffalo wings, spray the florets with cooking spray before you coat them in the buffalo sauce. You can also turn the broiler on for the last few minutes of baking to char some bits of the baked vegan wings.
Make-Ahead Tips
While it’s best to bake the wings before serving, you can save time by cutting the florets, mixing the batter, and making the buffalo sauce in advance. Store them in separate containers a day or two ahead and refrigerate until use.
Baked Cauliflower Wings Recipe FAQs
Are cauliflower wings gluten-free?
No, but you can substitute the all-purpose flour in this recipe with a 1:1 gluten-free flour to make the vegan wings gluten-free. White rice flour is another GF option you can try for crispy wings!
Can you cook vegan cauliflower wings in the air fryer?
Yes! Just make sure the battered florets are in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Air fry them for 14 minutes at 350ºF, flipping halfway through. Then, coat them in the buffalo sauce and air fry for another 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How to reheat cauliflower wings?
You can reheat baked cauliflower wings in the air fryer, toaster oven, or oven at 350ºF until heated through. Reheating them in the microwave might not yield the best crispiness.
Why are my cauliflower wings soggy?
Make sure to shake off any excess batter, or it can pool underneath the vegan cauliflower buffalo wings and make them less crispy. You can also place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet a piece at a time in a single layer instead of dumping them all at once.
How long will vegan wings last?
You can store leftover vegan cauli wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days before they get soggy.
More Delicious Vegan Appetizer Recipes
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Vegan Cauliflower Wings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (approximately 4 cups of florets)
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- Celery sticks for serving
- Vegan ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the cauliflower head into bite-sized florets. Set aside.
- Combine the flour, ground paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and almond milk until thick and smooth.
- Dip each floret into the batter, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the coated florets into the breadcrumbs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the vegan cauliflower wings for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While baking, prepare the sauce. Combine the buffalo sauce and avocado oil in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cooked florets into the buffalo sauce and toss until they’re well-coated.
- Return the coated cauliflower florets to the baking sheet and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until they’re crisp to your liking.
- Serve with celery sticks and your choice of dipping sauce. We opted for homemade vegan ranch!
Notes
- Cut down the center from the core to the top of the cauliflower head to reveal the stems branching off from the center. Then, break off the florets, ensuring they’re not too small or too big.
- For crunchier cauliflower buffalo wings, spray the florets with cooking spray before you coat them in the buffalo sauce. You can also turn the broiler on for the last few minutes of baking to char some bits of the baked vegan wings.
- While it’s best to bake the wings before serving, you can save time by cutting the florets, mixing the batter, and making the buffalo sauce in advance. Store them in separate containers a day or two ahead and refrigerate until use.
