• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My Plant-Based Friend

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Coaching

The Best Baked Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

by 5 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Looking for the best crispy buffalo cauliflower recipe? You’ve come to the right place! These oil-free, baked buffalo cauliflower wings are perfectly crispy and truly addicting! They make for a delicious vegan appetizer for football games, parties, and potlucks. These buffalo cauliflower bites are great in wraps and salads, and delicious by themselves. They’re especially tasty dipped in your favorite vegan ranch, vegan blue cheese, or hummus. Mmmmm!

What Makes This the Best Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe?

Firstly, I love this buffalo cauliflower recipe because the outside truly turns out crispy thanks to the breadcrumb coating. I like these healthy, gluten-free breadcrumbs made with chickpeas for some added protein.

While some restaurants offer buffalo cauliflower as a meatless appetizer option, many times the batter contains eggs and/or milk.

Not these buffalo cauliflower wings! They contain no milk or eggs and are perfectly crispy on the outside! They’re a great healthy vegan snack loved by people of all diets.

crispy buffalo cauliflower

I’ve made buffalo cauliflower dozens of times over the last few years. I am happy to share that this is the best version I’ve tried to date!

This crispy buffalo cauliflower bite recipe is vegan, oil-free, and easy to make. I enjoy making these for family and friends because I love seeing how much meat-eaters enjoy them too. One commenter on Pinterest even said these were mistaken for real buffalo chicken bites! While I can’t promise that you will think the same, I can assure you this will become your favorite cauliflower recipe 😉

Crispy buffalo cauliflower bites are a delicious, nutritious, and cruelty-free alternative to traditional boneless buffalo wings. They are filled with flavor, have the perfect texture, and you wouldn’t even know they’re made with a vegetable. Win, win, win!

What Sauce Goes Best With Cauliflower Bites?

buffalo cauliflower and vegan blue cheese

After trying many brands, I’ve finally found my go-to vegan buffalo sauce. I love this buffalo sauce because the ingredients list is completely simple and clean, whole 30 approved and paleo, and truly the best tasting buffalo sauce I’ve come across. I always go for the medium buffalo flavor, but this brand carries a hot buffalo flavor as well if you are braver than I am! If spice isn’t your thing, you can also find a mild buffalo flavor.

As far as a dipping sauce, I personally prefer more buffalo sauce (anyone else!?) But my family and friends love this vegan blue cheese. If you like, vegan ranch goes well with these crispy buffalo cauliflower wings, too!

Is Buffalo Cauliflower Healthy?

buffalo cauliflower

Cauliflower is not only a diverse veggie to cook with, but it is also a nutrient-dense powerhouse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, consuming powerhouse fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. One large head of cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber, potassium, antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and more. Another win!

Now that I’ve convinced you that you absolutely have to try these crispy buffalo cauliflower bites, I know you’ll love this easy and delicious recipe.

The best part? These buffalo cauliflower wings make the best leftovers, and turn out almost more delicious and crispy the second time around! Simply pop in the oven or toaster oven at 400° for 20-25 minutes and they taste as good as (or better) than new.

If you like vegan recipes with a kick, you will also love my easy zesty vegan tacos!

buffalo cauliflower
Melissa Donovan

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower

5 from 1 vote
These baked crispy buffalo cauliflower wings are oil-free, easy to make, and addicting. Buffalo cauliflower bites are the perfect healthy vegan snack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head of cauliflower cut into florets
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened soy milk or other plant-based milk of choice
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 1/4 cup buffalo sauce

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper together until well-combined. Add soy milk and mix until well-combined to form batter. In a separate bowl, add breadcrumbs.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into florets and coat completely in the batter.
  3. Once coated in batter, dip the cauliflower florets into the breadcrumbs until completely coated.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes at 400°, flipping cauliflower bites halfway through.
  5. Carefully remove cauliflower bites from oven and coat in buffalo sauce. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, once again flipping halfway through.
  6. Optional: Broil for 2-4 minutes on high for extra crispiness.
  7. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and celery sticks. Enjoy!

Most importantly, don’t forget to pin the recipe for later!

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: buffalo cauliflower, crispy buffalo cauliflower wings

Previous Post: « The Best Vegan Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Easy and Healthy Recipe)
Next Post: Healthy Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah

    November 29, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    Okay this sounds like the perfect SuperBowl snack! My husband Ryan is already requesting them!😁

    Reply
    • Melissa Donovan

      November 29, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      Definitely perfect for the Super Bowl! I hope you and Ryan love them 🙂

      Reply
  2. Justin

    February 17, 2025 at 5:36 am

    5 stars
    This looks amazing I don’t normally like cauliflower but I would definitely try this.

    Reply
    • Melissa Donovan

      February 26, 2025 at 7:40 pm

      Thank you! This is my absolute favorite way to enjoy cauliflower, I think you’d like it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

By Melissa Donovan

I love creating tasty, balanced, and healthy vegan recipes for people of all diets. Whether you’re looking for high protein, macro friendly vegan recipes or positive encouragement in adopting a more plant-based lifestyle, you’re in the right place!

Read More

Recent Posts

tofu peanut noodle dish
birthday cake mug cake
healthy vegan high protein & macro friendly snacks you'll love

Navigation

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Coaching

Footer

myplantbasedfriend

Nothing I changed was sticking, and it wasn’t for Nothing I changed was sticking, and it wasn’t for the reason I thought.

I’d follow routines “perfectly”, go all in on my goals, and put so much pressure on myself to finally change.

But every time life got busy or difficult, I’d fall back into what felt familiar.

The patterns of self-sabotage. The thoughts that I wasn’t good enough.

That version of me wasn’t truly consistent, confident, or feeling fully safe to be seen.

Nothing really stuck because of the way I saw myself.

When my self-image started to shift on a subconscious level, everything else finally began to stick, even through the imperfect and difficult seasons.

I’m one of the speakers at the @vegansquadcoaching Health & Fitness Transformation Summit this Saturday, where we’re covering everything from building muscle on a vegan diet to mindset and identity work like this.

Comment SUMMIT and I’ll send you the link to RSVP for free 🤍
There is no humane way to end the life of someone There is no humane way to end the life of someone who doesn’t want to die.

If a serial killer took their victims on nice dates and vacations, showered them with gifts and praise, and then ended their lives as quickly and painlessly as possible, we wouldn’t justify the murders with, “at least the victims didn’t really suffer, and they lived happy lives.” We’d condemn the evil of taking another’s life.

So why is the reaction so different for animals? Other innocent, sentient beings who feel fear and pain. Who cry out when they’re ripped away from their families. Who are bred into an existence of exploitation and abuse, and ultimately, murder.

There are literally laws in place to punish animal abuse. No one would stand by silently if someone started harming their cat or dog. But paying for that same harm to be inflicted on pigs, cows, chickens, fish, and all other animals who aren’t as lucky as your pets is considered “normal” and part of “the circle of life”.

Please really think about the phrase “humane slaughter.” Please consider if there would be a humane way to slaughter your partner, friend, parent, child, or pet. If you wouldn’t want this done to someone you love, then you probably don’t align with supporting this being done to over 80 billion land animals and over 1 trillion marine animals each year.
Everything I eat to lose fat & build muscle as a v Everything I eat to lose fat & build muscle as a vegan 💪🌱 

I’m about 3 months into my cut, still getting stronger and leaner, making progress, and feeling great 🙌

I’m in a slight deficit but am honestly enjoying all of my meals, and still eating a meal off plan each week.

🌱 Meal 1: Protein Oats, 34g protein 
-@vedgenutrition cookies & creme protein (code MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND to save)
-rolled oats
-ground flax
-coconut yogurt
-pumpkin puree
-blueberries

🌱 Meal 2: Buffalo chick’n & cheezy potatoes, 26g protein
-@daringfoods original chickn with buffalo sauce OR @eatjust Buffalo chick’n
-red potatoes
-zucchini & squash
-@goodfoods cauliflower queso

🌱 Meal 3: Tofu fried rice, 30g protein 
-@nasoya super firm tofu
-white rice
-mixed veggies
-@trybachans Japanese bbq sauce

🌱 Meal 4: Edamame pasta, 31g protein
-@the_onlybean fettuccine
-spinach
-marinara sauce
-nutritional yeast
-@panacheeza cashew parmesan (code MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND)

I also use a scoop of @vedgenutrition collagen in my tea for an added 10g protein ☕️ 

Follow @myplantbasedfriend for more high protein vegan food & healthy lifestyle content 🤍✨

😍 Get discounts on all of my favorite vegan staples! Use code:
@vedgenutrition: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND 
@saygraceprotein: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND
@greenbitesgo: #MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND
@nugonutrition: MELISSA
@panacheeza: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND

#veganbodybuilder #veganproteins #veganmacros 

Which meal would you pick?
10 years ago today I made the best decision of my 10 years ago today I made the best decision of my life.

I was in my college dorm room, sobbing my soul out after watching @realgaryyourofsky’s Best Speech You Will Ever Hear.

Awakened to truths I couldn’t unknow, unfeel, or unsee.

I didn’t know any other vegans. I endured a lot of judgment, skepticism, and doubt about my lifestyle, diet, and beliefs.

I felt very alone. But to me, there was no other option.

I felt insecure in conversations. I didn’t yet have the inner groundedness, confidence, or capacity to be on the receiving end of others’ cognitive dissonance, defensiveness, and emotional projections.

So for years, I shrunk myself. I fell into a really dark place. I believed it when people told me I wouldn’t make a difference.

But I kept learning to trust my intuition and lean into the inner nudges and decisions I knew were meant for me, no matter how scary they felt.

Going vegan
Leaving speech language pathology
Starting my first copywriting business
Becoming a certified holistic life coach
Opening a vegan baking business
Competing in bodybuilding
Meeting my soul family
Ending toxic relationship cycles
Co-creating @vegansquadcoaching

And I know this is just the beginning. Even though I’m celebrating my 10 year vegan anniversary, I’m also celebrating how each decision has led me to where I am now.

I’ve embraced more of my full self. I’ve never felt more empowered to advocate for myself and speak up for others.

No matter how heavy and scary the world feels, I’m so grateful to be part of a movement that brings so much hope for collective compassion and healing.

Thank you so much to everyone who paved the way before me, for everyone who’s leading and walking this path with me, and for everyone who continues to live with an open heart and mind 🤍
You keep telling yourself, “I just need to be more You keep telling yourself, “I just need to be more consistent.”

But if that was the root of the issue, it would’ve worked by now.

You force yourself to be more disciplined, and it just seems to backfire every single time. You burn out and throw in the towel.

When this happens, you chip away at your self-trust.

The biggest shift to break this cycle is building the belief that you are someone who will always have your own back.

It becomes natural to make decisions that support your wellbeing as someone who holds a positive self-image and feels worthy of feeling good.

We’re helping you overcome the internal and practical obstacles to your growth (and so much more- nutrition, training, identity, self-sabotage) at our free @vegansquadcoaching Plant-Powered Protein & Muscle Building Summit this Saturday.

I’m kicking us off with a live group hypnosis at 4pm EST to help you stay consistent & stop self sabotaging.

If you’re done starting over and want to stop letting the all-or-nothing mindset control you, come join us.

RSVP for free at the link in my bio!
New vegan protein bars from @nugonutrition are her New vegan protein bars from @nugonutrition are here! 🍫🍒 

If you’re looking for vegan protein bars that actually taste good, look no further!!

There’s not a flavor of NuGo bars that I don’t love, including the new dark chocolate cherry bars 😍

These taste so indulgent- like a candy bar that happens to have protein and clean ingredients.

Highly recommend giving these a try!

Code MELISSA gets you 50% off + free shipping on your first order of @nugonutrition variety packs 🫶🏼
It’s possible to feel grounded, clear, and confide It’s possible to feel grounded, clear, and confident in who you are even when life is changing.

You’re not meant to keep repeating the same cycles that aren’t serving you.

You can reconnect to and strengthen your trust in your ability to adjust instead of falling into all-or-nothing patterns.

You deserve to take care of yourself without feeling under pressure all the time.

This is the kind of transformation that happens when we work at the root. DM me TRUST to learn more about 1:1 coaching 🤍
There was a version of me who genuinely believed I There was a version of me who genuinely believed I was just going to keep getting more out of shape.

Bigger, weaker, and less healthy.

I grew up skinny and was always told, “enjoy your body while you’re young… it won’t last forever.” 🙄 

So when I gained 20+ lbs in college (none of it muscle), I just accepted that everything would be downhill from there.

For years, I stayed stuck comparing myself to others.

The girls my exes cheated on me with.

People on Instagram who looked strong and confident.

Athletes who were jacked and still ate a lot of food.

I kept thinking, “why not ME?” But not in an empowering way, in a defeated way, like I was broken.

Until one day, the meaning of that question shifted.

If it’s possible for them, why wouldn’t it be possible for me too? “Why NOT me!?”

That was the moment everything started to change.

It didn’t happen instantly, and the journey was not linear. But my identity shifted before anything else.

I stopped seeing myself as “unlucky” or “not built for that” and started making decisions from the version of me who knew change was possible.

I got uncomfortable.

I showed up to the gym consistently. I tracked my workouts. I learned how to eat in a way that supported my goals. I started building a loving relationship with myself instead of being my own worst critic.

And a year later, I said something that would’ve sounded impossible before:

“I think I kind of want to try competing in bodybuilding.”

That’s when it hit me.

This journey changed so much more than my body. It completely changed how I see myself and what I believe is possible.

So if you’re feeling behind, discouraged, stuck in comparison, convinced the body, health, relationship, life, you desire is just not in the cards for you..

You’re just in an early chapter of your own story. Start telling it differently, and watch how everything else follows.

If you’re ready to shift your self-image and see what you’re capable of, DM me TRANSFORM to work with me or one of our @vegansquadcoaching coaches 1:1 🦋
Follow Me!

Copyright © 2026 My Plant-Based Friend on the Foodie Pro Theme

Disclosure Policy - Privacy Policy