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Quick and Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Hot Buffalo Seasoning

Published on: March 9, 2023
A white plate with buffalo cauliflower bites and celery sticks

You’ve probably seen cauliflower everything for the last few years. Am I right? It seems almost anything can be made with cauliflower rice to pizza crusts.

These spicy little crispy cauliflower bites are an easy appetizer or side dish. They are ready in no time for a snack to munch on while you sit back and watch a big game or for a quick veggie that will spice up a weeknight dinner. 

What is it about cauliflower that makes it so special anyway? Why do you need this recipe?

What’s so Special About Cauliflower?

Okay, so maybe I’m a bit late to hop on the cauliflower “love train” but to be perfectly honest, cauliflower has never been high on my list of favorite veggies. But that is changing and here’s why.

Nutrition Facts for Cauliflower

This white vegetable may not seem like it is full of nutrition, but that is just the opposite. While only 25 calories in a cup it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. According to UDSA 1 cup of raw cauliflower has almost all the vitamin C you need in a day, not to mention its fiber content of 3g per cup. Here’s a quick look at what a cup provides:

  • Calories: 26
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbs: 5.3g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Vitamin C: 52mg (87% of the daily value – DV)
  • Potassium: 320mg (7% DV)
  • Vitamin B6 42% DV

While you may have heard to eat the rainbow to get all those antioxidants and vitamins, well, white is also a “color” and this veggie is packed full of many of the same nutrients found in broccoli and Brussels sprouts. So consider it part of your rainbow!

Now the important part – cauliflower is high in a nutrient called Choline. For me, this is really the important part. Choline is essential for our brain health! It forms the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, that keeps the communication system between our brain and heart, lungs, and muscles healthy. It also works in the part of our brain that is responsible for our memory and mood.1

What You Will Need to Make Crispy Cauliflower Bites

This is the easy part! These little crispy cauliflower bites only need 4 ingredients! Super easy

Cauliflower – I buy a head of cauliflower and then break it up into flowerets. What I don’t use, I shred or grind to make “riced cauliflower.” It freezes well and I mix a cup of riced cauliflower with a cup of brown rice. It’s a great way to stretch the rice and get some extra veggies in. 

For this recipe, I use about 4 cups of cauliflower flowerets. It usually ends up being ½ a large head or ¾ of a smaller one.

Egg – Whisk 1 large egg in a bowl. To this, I’ll add the hot buffalo sauce. The egg helps the buffalo sauce “stick” to the cauliflower allowing the breadcrumbs to adhere. It’s kind of like dipping a chicken breast in an egg before coating it with breadcrumbs!

Hot Buffalo Sauce – You can use any hot sauce you like but I prefer Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce. (yes, this is an affiliate link, so I’ll make a small commission if you make a purchase)

Panko Bread Crumbs – Why panko breadcrumbs? I think they make a crispier crust on the cauliflower, but if you only have regular bread crumbs go ahead and use those too!

How to Make Them

This is really pretty simple recipe to make but there are a couple of tips that will help make sure you end up with awesome, crispy cauliflower bites.

Step 1 – Get organized

Start by getting organized.

Preheat the oven to either 425°F or 400°F if you have a convection oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper – trust me, this will make cleanup a breeze!

Step 2 – Prep the Ingredients

Cut the cauliflower flowerets into about the same size pieces or get them as close to the same size as possible. This will ensure they cook evenly and you won’t end up with some burnt bites and others that aren’t quite done!

If you have a bag of precut cauliflower, that’s great! Just make sure to use the bigger pieces and save the small ones for a salad or grain bowl.

Cauliflower cut into ~ 2 inch pieces on a wood cutting board
Cauliflower cut in flowerets

Next, whisk the egg in a medium bowl, add the hot buffalo sauce, and whisk until they are combined.

Egg whisked with hot Buffalo sauce in a white bowl.
Egg and Hot Buffalo Sauce

Step 3 – Coat the Cauliflower in the Sauce and Breadcrumbs

Spoon a few cauliflower pieces into the egg and hot sauce mixture. Toss them to coat them completely with the sauce. Using a slotted spoon, remove them from the egg sauce mix and let the excess liquid drain off. 

Let the excess egg and buffalo seasoning drip off before you coat the cauliflower in the bread crumbs. If too much egg mixture is left on the cauliflower, the breadcrumbs will fall off and you’ll just have roasted cauliflower. 

Cauliflower flowerets mixed in egg and hot Buffalo sauce in a white bowl.
Here comes the flavor! Cauliflower in the sauce!

Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl or a shallow, rimmed dish. 

Place the coated cauliflower in the breadcrumbs and toss to cover completely. Place the cauliflower pieces on the parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Cauliflower coated with egg and hot Buffalo sauce tossed in panko bread crumbs.
Cauliflower tossed in breadcrumbs

Repeat with the rest of the cauliflower. Leave space on the baking sheet between each piece so they get crispy on all sides as they bake.

Hot Buffalo Cauliflower Bites on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet ready for to be baked.
Hot Buffalo Cauliflower Bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet

Step 4 – Bake

Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 – 25 minutes. The edges should be crispy and the cauliflower stems should be tender when pierced with a knife.

Woman holding a baking sheet with hot Buffalo coated cauliflower pieces ready to cook in the oven
Ready for the oven!

Step 6 – Serve!

Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Variations

Need a gluten-free version? Use gluten-free panko bread crumbs. Double-check your buffalo sauce, but most are just made with vinegar and cayenne pepper sauce. They may have some natural flavors and xanthan gum so if you aren’t sure if it is gluten-free, call the company to confirm.  

FAQs

Can you cook cauliflower in an air fryer?

Yes, cauliflower cooks nicely in an air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook them in smaller batches and toss the cauliflower part way through the cooking process. I also sprayed them lightly with a little avocado oil spray before putting them in the air-fryer to help them crisp up and keep the breadcrumbs attached. 

Can you reheat these in the microwave?

You can reheat these in the microwave but they will lose some of their crispness. But if you are in a hurry, place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat them for 1 – 2 minutes at 70% power.

Can you use regular hot sauce in place of buffalo sauce?

Hot sauce and buffalo sauce are not the same. While both are made from cayenne pepper and vinegar, buffalo sauce is thick and has a buttery texture and flavor. This helps it blend with the egg, helps the sauce adhere to the cauliflower, and mellows the spiciness a bit. You can try hot sauce in place of buffalo sauce, but you’ll likely want to cut back on the amount of hot sauce and add a little oil or melted butter to the egg and sauce mixture.

Storage Tips

These little bites will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Place them in an airtight container and when you are ready to enjoy them place them on a sheet pan and reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.

You can try to freeze these and reheat them from frozen as above. 

A white plate with buffalo cauliflower bites and celery sticks

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 70 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups fresh cauliflower flowerets about 1/2 head of cauliflower
  • 1 ea egg
  • ½ cup hot Buffalo sauce like Frank's
  • 1 ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (or air fryer to400°F*). If you have a convection oven, heat it to 400°F. Place the rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut the cauliflower into flowerets, no more than 2-inch pieces.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg until well-blended. Add the buffalo sauce and whisk.
  • Place the panko in a separate bowl or plate.
  • In batches, toss the cauliflower in the egg and buffalo sauce and coat it thoroughly and then let the excess sauce drip off.
  • Place the cauliflower in the breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Then place them on the baking sheet, leaving at least 1-inch space around each piece.
  • When all are coated with breadcrumbs, place the baking sheet in the middle of the oven and cook for 20 minutes, flipping the cauliflower ½ way through. The edges should be lightly browned and the stems soft when pierced with a knife.
  • Serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

*If using an air fryer, place the coated cauliflower in the basket of the air fryer, being careful not to overcrowd it. You want the air to move around each piece of cauliflower. You’ll likely have to cook multiple batches. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes, tossing ½ way through. Cook time depends on your air fryer so check it after 12 minutes so you don’t overcook them.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 70kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Keyword 30 minutes, cauliflower, Spicy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Other Recipes you will love

Maple and Balsamic Brussel Sprouts

Beef and Mushroom Burger – These cauliflower buffalo bites would be a perfect side dish for the beef and mushroom burger!

References

Sanders, L. M., & Zeisel, S. H. (2007). Choline: Dietary Requirements and Role in Brain Development. Nutrition Today, 42(4), 181–186. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NT.0000286155.55343.fa

2 thoughts on “Quick and Crispy Cauliflower Bites with Hot Buffalo Seasoning”

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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MEET THE AUTHOR
Laura M. Ali, RD holding a bowl of pomegranate seeds

Hi! I’m Laura!

I love to cook and share simple tricks and tips to make healthy meals taste delicious.

My goal is to create delicious meals that will support your health and give you energy, along with a sprinkling of nutrition and health information to help you enjoy a long and vibrant life!


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