Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Blue Cheese

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cauliflower bites offer all the flavor of classic buffalo wings—without the meat. The florets get crispy in the oven and then are coated in spicy buffalo sauce, delivering heat and crunch in every bite. Paired with tangy, creamy blue cheese dip, they make an irresistible appetizer or snack that even meat‑eaters will enjoy.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cauliflower Bites

• Cauliflower florets
• All‑purpose flour (or a gluten‑free flour blend)
• Water or milk (can use non‑dairy)
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
• Melted butter (or vegan butter)

For the Blue Cheese Dip

• Blue cheese crumbles
• Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Garlic (minced or garlic powder)
• Salt and pepper
• Milk or cream (to thin, optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F (220 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with a bit of oil.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, water (or milk), garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to make a batter. It should be thick enough to coat the florets.
3. Toss cauliflower florets in the batter until evenly coated. Shake off excess batter.
4. Arrange the coated florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes, then flip and bake an additional 10–15 minutes or until the cauliflower is crispy and golden.
6. While cauliflower is baking, prepare the buffalo sauce: mix hot sauce and melted butter together.
7. When the florets are done, remove from oven and immediately toss in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
8. Return the sauced florets to the oven for another 5 minutes to let the sauce set.
9. Meanwhile, whisk together blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add milk or cream if you prefer a thinner consistency.
10. Serve the hot buffalo cauliflower bites alongside the blue cheese dip.

Servings and timing

Makes about 4 servings as an appetizer.
Total time: 40 minutes (10 minutes prep + 30 minutes bake/tossing)

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover cauliflower bites and blue cheese dip separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the cauliflower in a 375 °F (190 °C) oven or toaster oven for 5–8 minutes to restore crispness. You can also air fry for a few minutes. Stir the dip before serving again.

FAQs

What kind of cauliflower should I use?

Choose a head of cauliflower with firm, tight florets. Cut into bite‑sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes. Use a dairy‑free butter substitute and swap sour cream and mayonnaise for vegan versions. Ensure your hot sauce is vegan.

Can I prepare them ahead of time?

You can toss cauliflower in the batter and keep on the baking sheet (covered) in the fridge for a few hours, but it’s best to bake and toss with sauce just before serving.

How spicy will these be?

The heat depends on the hot sauce you use. You can adjust by reducing sauce or mixing with more melted butter to mellow the spice.

Can I use a different dip instead of blue cheese?

Absolutely. Ranch dressing, vegan ranch, or a garlic aioli are all great alternatives.

What if my coating is soggy after baking?

Make sure to pat the florets dry before coating and shake off excess batter. Also, baking uncovered helps them crisp up.

Can I air fry these instead of baking?

Yes. Air fry at 400 °F (200 °C) for 12–15 minutes, shake halfway, then toss in sauce and air fry another 2–3 minutes.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just use two baking sheets so the cauliflower is in a single layer and can crisp properly.

Are the leftovers still good?

They’re best the same day but still tasty the next day—just reheat properly for best texture.

Can I freeze the cauliflower bites?

Freezing tends to soften the coating. It’s not recommended, but if you must, freeze in a single layer and reheat in a hot oven or air fryer to try to regain crispness.

Conclusion

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Blue Cheese are a fun, flavorful twist on traditional wings. They’re perfect for game nights, casual get‑togethers, or anytime you crave crunch and heat without meat. With a creamy, tangy dip and customizable spice level, this recipe is sure to become one of your favorite plant‑based appetizers.

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Blue Cheese

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A crispy, fiery vegetarian snack featuring oven-baked cauliflower florets coated in spicy buffalo sauce, served with a creamy blue cheese dip. Perfect for game day or as a bold appetizer.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
• 3/4 cup water or milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (or vegan butter)
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tbsp milk or cream (optional, to thin dip)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F (220 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, water or milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a smooth batter.
3. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter until well coated, then shake off excess.
4. Place the battered cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
6. Meanwhile, mix together hot sauce and melted butter to create the buffalo sauce.
7. Once cauliflower is crispy, remove from the oven and toss with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
8. Return the coated cauliflower to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to let the sauce set.
9. While baking, prepare the blue cheese dip by mixing blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Thin with milk or cream if needed.
10. Serve the buffalo cauliflower bites hot with blue cheese dip on the side.

Notes

• Pat cauliflower dry before coating to avoid soggy results.
• Adjust spice level by changing the amount of hot sauce or butter.
• Store leftovers separately and reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.
• Can be made vegan with appropriate substitutions for dairy ingredients.
• Air frying is a quicker alternative to baking.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 620mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 15mg