Vegan Cauliflower Wings (Hot, Easy & 100% Plant-Based)

Discover how to make delicious and spicy Vegan Cauliflower Wings! These bite-sized snacks are 100% plant-based, easy to prepare, and a healthier alternative to traditional wings. Perfect for parties, game nights, or anytime you're craving something hot and flavorful. No matter if you're vegan or just curious about plant-based recipes, these cauliflower wings will surely surprise and delight you. Indulge guilt-free today!

These Vegan Buffalo Wings are more than just a win for your tastebuds – they’re a nutritional powerhouse, too. Crafted from wholesome, plant-based ingredients, each serving contains vital nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the cauliflower.

Moreover, chickpea flour adds an extra protein punch, while the choice of plant-based milk contributes to the overall health benefits. Using an oil spray, we also keep the added fat content to a minimum, making these vegan wings a guilt-free indulgence. Lastly, the hot sauce mixture provides a delicious dose of capsaicin, which is associated with various health benefits such as improved metabolism.

Beyond nutrition, the ease and simplicity of this snack recipe make it a total winner. Perfect for those new to plant-based cooking, you'll be surprised at how simple it is to turn cauliflower into deliciously crispy vegan chicken wings.

All it takes is a dunk into our carefully curated hot sauce mixture and a quick bake in the oven, and you’re on your way to vegan wing heaven. Plus, the adaptability of this recipe is impressive - you can adjust the spices to suit your taste buds or even try different plant-based sauces. In no time at all, you'll be serving up these vegan buffalo wings that are as easy to make as they are satisfying.

Both carnivores and vegan fellows love this Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe. They munch on them equally, and they have a low carb count, just as our super delicious and straightforward Vegan Cauliflower Steaks and Indian cauliflower curry.

Jump to:

• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 📖 Variations
• 🍶 Substitutions
• 🥢 How to serve
• 🥡 Storage
• 🍿 More Healthy Vegan Snacks
• 📚 More cauliflower recipes
• 📋 Recipe
• 🌡️ Food safety
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

🧾 Ingredients

• Cauliflower: Used as the main ingredient, cauliflower provides a nutritious and fiber-rich base that perfectly mimics the texture of traditional chicken wings when cooked.
• Vegan Buffalo sauce: This imparts a smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor profile that gives the vegan wings their characteristic zesty taste.
• Chickpea flour (or any other flour): It acts as a coating for the cauliflower, adding a delightful crispiness once baked and assisting in the absorption of the buffalo sauce for a well-rounded flavor.
• Garlic powder: This is an essential seasoning to give the vegan cauliflower wings a depth of flavor, introducing a mild, sweet, and slightly spicy element to the mix.
• Cayenne pepper: Used sparingly, this lends the wings a fiery kick and a depth of flavor, making them deliciously spicy and appealing to heat lovers.
• Plant milk: This provides a liquid base for the flour mixture, ensuring the wings are moist inside while getting crispy on the outside. It also helps in adhering the dry ingredients to the cauliflower florets.
• Olive oil (or avocado oil): This adds richness and aids in achieving a golden, crispy exterior on the cauliflower wings when baked.
• Oil spray: A light spritz helps prevent the wings from sticking to the baking tray and promotes even browning and crispiness when baked.

See quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card.

🔪 Instructions

1. Let's get started by warming up your oven - go ahead and preheat it. While it's heating, you can turn your attention to the cauliflower and start breaking it up into florets.
2. Next, grab a bowl and let's get our hot sauce mix ready. Combine the flour and your chosen seasonings together in there. Now, it's time to give those cauliflower florets some flavor. Lightly spray them with your oil of choice, then give them a gentle bath in plant-based milk.
3. Here's a fun part - put those moistened florets in a plastic bag with the dry hot sauce mix and give it a good shake. Feel free to dance around a little; cooking should be fun!
4. After your little dance number, it's time to prep your baking tray. You can either lightly oil it or line it with parchment paper - either works. Arrange the well-coated cauliflower florets on the tray and send them for a bake in your preheated oven.
5. While the florets are baking, it's time to whisk together the liquid ingredients. Once the florets have baked, gently dip them in the delicious buffalo wing sauce you've just made. Once they're well coated, arrange them back on the tray.
6. All that's left to do is bake them for another 15 minutes. And voila! Your delicious, crispy, vegan buffalo wings are ready to be devoured! Enjoy your guilt-free indulgence.

📖 Variations

• BBQ Cauliflower Wings: Instead of the hot sauce mixture, try tossing your baked cauliflower florets in a tangy barbecue sauce. You'll still achieve a deliciously crispy exterior, but with a sweet, smoky flavor profile that BBQ lovers will adore. Top with a sprinkle of smoked paprika for an extra touch.
• Asian-inspired Cauliflower Wings: Give your wings an Asian twist by making a sauce with soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option), sweet chili sauce, ginger, and a hint of sesame oil. This variation offers a delightful blend of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors that's sure to tantalize your taste buds. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.
• Gluten-free: Make gluten-free buffalo cauliflower using gluten-free breadcrumbs or simply omitting the crumbs. They will be less crunchy, though.
• Super hot: Add sriracha sauce to make this vegan wings recipe extra spicy!

🍶 Substitutions

• Cauliflower: If fresh cauliflower isn't readily available, feel free to use frozen cauliflower florets for this recipe. To ensure even cooking, be sure to thaw them fully before proceeding with the battering process. If they seem a bit too watery after thawing, simply pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess liquid. This little tweak allows you to enjoy delicious vegan buffalo wings anytime, even when fresh produce is scarce!
• Buffalo Sauce: If you're looking for a homemade or lower-sugar alternative, you could create a tangy sauce with tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and your choice of sweetener, such as maple syrup or date paste. You can also use the usual BBQ sauce.
• Chickpea Flour: If you don't have chickpea flour, you could use almond flour, whole wheat flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour. These may result in a slightly different texture but will still create a tasty coating for your wings.
• Garlic Powder: Substitute garlic powder with onion powder. This will lend a different but equally delicious flavor to the wings - slightly sweeter and less pungent.
• Cayenne Pepper: You could substitute cayenne pepper with a milder spice like paprika for those with a lower spice tolerance. This will still add a nice color and flavor to the wings but with less heat.
• Plant milk: Any non-dairy milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk, can be used in this recipe. The flavors of these milks are subtle enough that they won't significantly alter the end result.
• Olive Oil (or Avocado Oil): You could substitute this with melted vegan butter. This will add a rich, buttery flavor to the wings, making them extra delicious. Note, though, that the butter might make the wings slightly less crispy.
• Oil Spray: If you don't have oil spray, you could lightly brush the baking tray with your choice of plant-based oil to prevent the wings from sticking. Be careful to use just enough to coat the tray without making the wings overly oily.

This cruciferous vegetable is highly nutritious and, as Science Says, is amongst the 3 of the Healthiest Foods You Can Eat. It has a lot of beneficial, healthy properties and very few calories.

🥢 How to serve

The beauty of these buffalo cauliflower bites lies not only in their fiery flavor but also in their versatility when it comes to serving.

For an authentic wing experience, try serving them alongside some cool, creamy vegan ranch dressing. It's the perfect counterbalance to the heat of the buffalo sauce, adding a delicious tanginess that will keep you reaching for more.

Pair your bites with fresh, crunchy carrot sticks and celery sticks. These crisp veggies provide a refreshing crunch and a pop of color to your plate, and they pair perfectly with the spicy cauliflower and cool ranch.

Want to make it a full meal? Consider serving these buffalo cauliflower bites on top of a fresh salad or as part of a wrap with your favorite veggies.

You can even use them as a topping for a vegan pizza or inside a vegan burrito for a unique, tasty twist. The possibilities are endless with these delectable plant-based bites!

🥡 Storage

Storing and reheating these leftover vegan wings is a breeze! If you've got some extras that you'd like to keep in the fridge, simply place them in an airtight container and they'll stay good for up to 3-4 days. When you're ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat the wings in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they're heated through and crispy again.

Freezing is also an option for longer storage. First, let the wings cool completely, then arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid.

After that, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They should keep well for up to 2 months. To reheat frozen wings, there's no need to thaw. Just bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until they're thoroughly heated and regain their crispiness. With these tips, you can enjoy your favorite vegan buffalo wings anytime you want!

🍿 More Healthy Vegan Snacks

Yoy may also like, these delicious Falafel balls and 3 ways to make Hummus, including a Chickpeas-less option.

📚 More cauliflower recipes

• Embrace the exotic flavors of India with this vibrant and aromatic cauliflower curry. This rich, hearty dish will warm your soul with its delicate balance of spices and hearty textures - a culinary journey you won't want to miss!
• Experience cauliflower like never before with this whole roasted cauliflower recipe. Marvelously crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it's a spectacular centerpiece that's not just delicious, but also a sight to behold!
• Take your cauliflower game to the next level with this mouthwatering recipe, featuring a silky smooth tahini sauce. The creamy, nutty flavor of tahini marries perfectly with the cauliflower, creating an absolutely irresistible side dish!
• Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb alternative to traditional rice, this cauliflower rice recipe is both healthful and satisfying. It's so versatile, fluffy, and flavorful, you'll wonder why you haven't tried it sooner! Perfect to pair with your favorite main dishes.

Want to learn more about the health benefits of Cauliflower?

⭐ If you try this plant-based wings recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

📋 Recipe