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Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Cool Ranch Dip

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These Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are oven-baked, spicy, and perfectly crunchy, served with a cool, herby homemade ranch dip. They’re a healthier, crowd-pleasing alternative to buffalo wings—perfect for parties, game day, or a fun snack night.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower (about 2 lbs), cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 cup milk (unsweetened almond, oat, soy, or dairy milk)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or vegan sour cream/yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk (or dairy-free milk + squeeze of lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried chives (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on top.
  2. Wash and dry cauliflower, then cut into evenly sized florets (about 1 1/2-inch pieces).
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  4. Place panko breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting excess drip off, then roll in panko until evenly coated.
  5. Arrange florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Do not overcrowd.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp. For extra browning, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  7. While cauliflower bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in hot sauce and honey or maple syrup. Warm just until combined; do not boil.
  8. When cauliflower is done, gently toss hot florets in a large bowl with buffalo sauce until coated. For less heat, drizzle sauce instead of tossing.
  9. For the ranch dip: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Chill for 20 minutes to blend flavors.
  10. Serve buffalo cauliflower bites hot with ranch dip. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.

Notes

For extra crunch, double-dip the battered cauliflower in panko. Space florets apart for best crispiness. Broil briefly at the end for extra golden color. Make the ranch dip ahead for deeper flavor. Use gluten-free and vegan substitutions as needed. Air fryer method: cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, crispy cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, game day snack, ranch dip, oven baked, gluten free option, vegan option, spicy snack, party food

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crispy-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-recipe-with-cool-ranch-dip/