Cauliflower florets coated in a crispy spiced crust, served with hot buffalo sauce and a side of Vegan Blue Cheese Dip? Oh, hi there good lookin’. I know exactly what you got cookin’, and I like it, I like it a lot.
Hot dang theses are good little dudes. I made sure of that for you by testing them three times, just to be sure, for testing purposes only, clearly.
There is just something about eating with your hands, sauciness dripping down your arm, flavour punching bar food deliciousness that I just NEED every now and then. The need is real.
I love diving into a plate of ooey gooey nachos, snacking on crispy baked French fries, feasting on a giant BBQ pulled jackfruit sandwich, OMG getting so hungry, I just love it all.
Then this happened. And by this, I mean Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower. Now I’ve had cauliflower bites in various different ways, and they are delicious, but these crispy buffalo cauliflower bites just went from delicious all the way up to why am I not eating these every day, good. Yeah, I know, it makes me really excited too.
How did I make them so different, you ask? My super secret (internet published) technique is that instead of just a simple flour batter, I went another step and coated them in a spice cornflake crust. The result: crispy (but not fried), spiced, addictive, buffalo sauce, must…not…eat…the entire plate. Can’t resist!
To make Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower: Add the corn flakes and spices to a food processor. Pulse several times until the corn flakes are broken down, but still have texture. This is where the crunch comes in so don’t turn it to powder!
Take three large bowls, and in bowl 1, add the all-purpose flour. In bowl 2, mix together the chia (or flax) and water. In bowl 3, add the cornflake mixture.
Now rinse your cauliflower florets so they are wet. Take a handful at a time and drop them in the flour and toss to coat.
Next drop them in the chia mixture and toss to coat.
Finally, toss them in the corn flake mixture.
Lay them out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and bake for 20 t0 25 minutes until crispy and cooked all the way through. You can test doneness by piercing a floret with a knife to see if it’s tender all the way through.
To make the buffalo sauce, simply mix melted vegan butter with the hot sauce. You can pour the buffalo sauce directly on the cauliflower, but it will soften the crust. If you want to keep them super crispy, simply serve the buffalo sauce on the side and dip as you go.
These are perfect served with my Vegan Blue Cheese Dip.
Spiced corn flake coated florets are baked making these an easy healthy alternative to chicken wings. Great appetizer for the Super Bowl or any bar night.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or all-purpose gluten-free flour blend)
- 2 tablespoons ground chia or ground flax
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 4 cups corn flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup franks red hot (or other similar hot sauce)
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Grab three big bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second bowl, mix together the chia and water. For the third bowl, add the corn flakes, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to a food processor. Pulse several times until broken down, but there is still some texture. Pour the corn flake mixture into the last bowl.
- Rinse your cauliflower florets so they are wet. Take a handful at a time and drop them in the flour and toss to coat. Next drop them in the chia mixture and toss to coat. Finally, toss them in the corn flake mixture. Spread them out on the parchment paper lined baking sheet so that they aren't touching. Repeat with all of the florets until you have used up all of your ingredients.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and crusty, and the cauliflower is tender all the way through. You can test doneness by piercing a floret with a knife to see if it's tender all the way through
- To make the buffalo sauce, simply mix the melted vegan butter with the hot sauce. You can pour the buffalo sauce directly on the cauliflower, but it will soften the crust. If you want to keep them super crispy, simply serve the buffalo sauce on the side and dip as you go.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken.
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
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Can you use sriracha instead of franks red hot? 🙂
Delicious! I used these for a Hot Ones wing challenge and they were soooooo crispy! I might try with panko next time. 🙂
Awesome! So happy you enjoyed Dae 🙂
i used flax meal slurry and honest to goodness this blew my mind! i wouldnt change a thing about the recipe its fabulous! thank you!
Woohoo!! Very happy you loved it, kv.
I used the chia seeds and found it a bit difficult to work with — they wouldn’t quite stick to the cauliflower after the flour application. I did use whole chia seeds but I don’t see this making much of a difference? I do love the crunch of the corn flakes, probably the best attempt I’ve had with cauliflower wings! I will try again with flaxseed sometime and see how that goes. The suggestion to pour the sauce on afterwards was spot on, they stayed nice and crispy that way!
Hi Lindsay, whole chia seeds won’t work the same way as ground. When ground chia seeds are mixed with water, they form a gooey glue-like substance which allows the cornflake mixture to stick. You can grind your own chia seeds by grinding them in a coffee grinder or high powdered blender. Hope that helps!
Hi Sam,
I have made these a few times already and they are ridiculously awesome. I tried all sorts of different sauces and they were all a success.
I may have over cooked my last batch but on the bright side, my wife put them in a wrap and said they had the same texture as fish, alas … fish tacos!!!! Go figure. You have great recipes Sam!!! Tried tested and true!!!
OOooooooh those sound awesome!!! So happy you are enjoying my recipes so much, Tim 🙂
Other than substituting in Bran Flakes (had no Corn Flakes), it was awesome! I will be making this again. Thanks Sam!
So happy you enjoyed, Shane 🙂
I ran the bake them twice experiment…it works. Baking this dish has a lot going for it, including the ability to deliver a couple dozen at once, and warm. But I must say these were nowhere near as good as the fried version can be. My first go at fried cauliflower bites, using a batter containing rice flower and vodka had the perfect combination of thin, crisp coating, and creamy interior. A second try of the fried method was a fail, as the cauliflower steamed after frying while sitting in a bowl as you fry in batches. Your method can be expected to yield more consistent results.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy more!
So I have tried quite a few Cauliflower wing recipes and they were tasty but would unfortunately still be somewhat soft or soggy. I decided to give this recipe a try and I am happy I did!! I did make some adjustments and used Panko breadcrumbs rather than cornflakes. I also used grounded flaxseed. This came out so crispy and fantastic though!!!! It was filled with a lot of flavor and 25 mins in the oven had the cauliflowers perfectly crisped yet tender on the inside. Thank you so much I will be trying this recipe again!!
Wonderful!!! Thrilled you enjoyed it so much, Katherine 🙂
With only half a teaspoon of salt, why is the sodium so high?
I imagine from the vegan butter and Franks Red Hot. Hope that helps!
This recipe is delicious! When I took cauliflower out of the oven, it did not look crispy, more like it needed oil to brown the breading. With that said, it didn’t matter at all! I added the hot sauce and butter to the cauliflower and coated it all. This mixed so well with the cooked cauliflower. So easy and delicious—I highly recommend.
So happy you enjoyed it, Cindy!
This was my first recipe I tried from your site and my family loved it so much (not all are Vegan) that we had it three times that week and took it to share at a friends! Love Love Love it. some liked to dip and some liked it coated in the franks hot sauce with butter. I would recommend it to all.
That’s awesome! So happy you love the recipe so much, Devon 🙂
After reading these comments I went out and got cauliflower and corn flakes. I’d been wanting to try it for a while but the comments here sold me. Ran to the store right before they closed. Omg how could they look tasty before you even cook them?! We had some with buffalo and some with BBQ. Even had my non-cauliflower eating family eating it by the handfuls. I did end up mixing my chia/water with my flour out of laziness lol.
Please be cautious when enjoying more than one serving of This particular recipe as It is EXTREMELY HIGH in Its Sodium content. Not Heart Healthy, just because It is Vegan.
Best to enjoy as an occasional snack in moderation with the other more conscientious recipes provided by Sam.
Awesome! So happy you enjoyed them so much, Kamara 🙂
Just made these tonight, I’ve been trying to eat a more plant based diet and these looked good. They were delicious and crispy, just what I was looking for! I also tried with some bbq, still good! Thanks a bunch
Awesome! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed!!
This is BY FAR the BEST vegan cauliflower chicken recipe I have ever had. It’s amazingly crispy – even AFTER adding the sauce! My entire non-vegan family loved them and said they tasted like chicken to them. They were nice and soft on the inside and perfectly crunchy on the outside. I’ve tried hot for food’s recipe and find this one superior to ANY cauliflower chicken recipe I’ve ever tried. Would definitely recommend!
Aww that’s so wonderful!!! So thrilled you love them so much, Mina!!! Thanks for the great comment 🙂
Made these tonight ….they were absolutely delicious! Thank you for the revipe!
So thrilled you enjoyed them, Patricia!
Hi:) if I don’t have a food processor what can use instead?
You could try it in a blender. Enjoy!
You can use a Ziploc bag and a rolling pin or a wine bottle to crush everything up.
Great idea!
Hi there! I am going to try these. Would Panko breadcrumbs work, instead of the cornflakes?
Thanks!
Yep, they should work. Enjoy!
My meat loving husband loves buffalo cauliflower “wings”! I usually just bake the cauliflower without a crust, but making them crispy would take it to a whole nother level! So glad I stumbled upon your site. Will definitely be trying a ton of these recipes!!
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy the recipes you try, Jordi 🙂
can you make these ahead and freeze to serve later?
No, these wouldn’t freeze well I’m afraid.
Amazing! I’ve made this recipe many time now and I just can’t get enough. Super good!!! Thank you!! 🙂
That’s awesome! Thrilled you enjoy it so much, Candace 🙂
I think it’s cute that you think this is 4 servings….. : )
Hahaha! Awesome 🙂
We are very new to plant based/vegan eating. You have been such an inspiration and have such yummy recipes!! My hubby has previously hated cauliflower and loved chicken wings. We made this for supper tonight and he said it tasted just like chicken wings. This was very easy to make and so delicious!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!
Yay!! That’s wonderful. Thrilled you and your hubby enjoyed it so much, Lisa 🙂
Would coconut flour work instead of all-purpose or gluten-free flour?
I’ve never tried it, but I think it should work fine.
OMG!!! I’ve made buffalo cauliflower before but NOTHING like this!!! AMAZING! My daughter (vegetarian) said, “mom, this is my new vegan chicken!” I LOVED it plain & with the sauce. Thank you for the suggestion to drizzle the buffalo sauce to keep the cauliflower crispy. I can not wait to make this again!
You’re most welcome, Megan! Thrilled you and your daughter loved it so much, thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
Sorry to highjack this post but I am not able to see how to start a post of my own?? I love this recipe!! We have tried it out on friends and family and they all rave about it. To make it gluten-free we subbed the flour with cornstarch. It worked very well. Thanks for all you do for us!!!!
Wonderful!! So thrilled you love it so much, Irene 🙂
Have you made this in the air fryer?
Nope! I don’t have an air fryer, but I am sure they would work fine.
These were Yum-mazing! My hubby and 10yo daughter devoured them. He actually said, “We never have to have fried chicken again.” Awesome recipe. Thank you!
Can’t get a much better review than that! Awesome, thanks Stephannie 🙂
This has become my go-to buffalo cauliflower recipe. I love the crispiness (and extra nutrients) added from the cornflakes. I cook mine a little over half the time, then coat them in the buffalo sauce, and then return them to the oven for the rest of the cook time. This way they get totally covered in flavor, but stay crisp. I eat these by themselves, on pizza and in wraps with Kale and Vegan ranch, so yummy!
Wonderful! So happy you love them, Megan, and what a great tip 🙂
Finally got around to making these. I’d made other versions of cauliwings and didn’t think much of them. Wow! These are special and will take them to my next beer club meeting.
Wonderful! Thrilled you enjoyed them so much, Cal 🙂
Can I do this with frozen??
Frozen cauliflower is usually pre-cooked, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
I made mine from frozen cauliflower and they’re good! They defrosted when I rinsed them with water. My cauliflower wasn’t pre-cooked though. I also experimented with a sample of broccoli, carrot and baby marrow but they weren’t nearly as nice as the cauli ones.
I made these yesterday for the playoff games. We recently switched to the plant based life and we were amazed with this buffalo cauliflower! Better than a chicken wing. My husband asked me to make them again today. Thank you!
Yay! You’re most welcome, Sara. So happy you loved them so much 🙂
Wow, these are good!!!!! Just made them for the NFC Championship game! SO GOOD! Thank you!
You’re most welcome! So happy you enjoyed them!
Addictive! I think I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made this in the last couple of months and have been (slightly) embarrassed to realize that after I’ve gone back for thirds I’ve nearly eaten the entire recipe by myself.
But then there was the time I was short on cauliflower… I did have some fresh okra I’d picked up on sale, though, so I thought I’d give it a try. If you enjoy fried okra, like I do as a good Southern (California) boy, this recipe makes a fabulous version! Same recipe and technique, with okra slices about 3/4th of an inch thick or so. I have also started adding about 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt in place of most of the regular salt. Adds a bit more depth of flavor, I think.
Thanks for this recipe and your website, Sam!
Oh, and I put the cornflake mixture in a bag and add the cauliflower and/or okra to it and shake to coat. Easier and better coating.
Good idea about the bag!
Yay! So thrilled you love the recipe so much, Richard. And great idea about the okra!
I made this recipe and it was awesome!
Perfect! Glad you loved it, Daisy 🙂
These were AMAZING!!! I never tried the cauliflower “buffalo wings” before because the recipes looked ridiculous… These were absolute perfection! Will be making them on the regular!!
Wonderful! Thrilled you loved them so much, Lisa 🙂
Hey Sam! Tried this a couple days ago and the family loved it. Half of us are not hot-sauce types, (foolish, I know), so I substituted BBQ sauce and I have requests to make it again.
I have 3 questions regarding the chia seeds. Your photos and YouTube show the chia seed/water mixture kinda reddish brown. Mine was black, as I only know about black chia seeds. Were you using flax in the video/pics? And is there a different color of chia seed? And lastly, when you say “ground” chia, my food processor blades don’t grind them up any more than the tiny little bits they already are, so do you buy an already-ground variety or do you have some trick to grinding them for this recipe, as well as others, such as the bbq veggie burgers? That one is today’s experiment and I just realized the same question applies. Thanks so much!
Hi Wanda! So happy you enjoyed. Yes, I was using ground white chia seeds (which tend to look more brown than white), either kind will work however. You can buy pre-ground, most stores carry it, or if you have a high-powered blender, it will be strong enough to grind them. Enjoy the burgers!
Thanks, Sam! “Ground white chia seeds” going on the shopping list right now for future use! And the burgers were terrific, btw. I got the consistency a little too pasty, but OMG, the flavor was incredible. I know exactly what to do next time to get that corrected and can’t wait to eat them again. Thank you again! You’ve changed my life.
Omg I made these yesterday for my husband and I as we watched football! These were absolutely delicious and you couldn’t even tell it was cauliflower! I made them into wraps just so we could be a little full from eating them. I used vegan spinach wraps with kale as our lettuce the cauliflower wings vegan ranch dip and vegan shredded cheese. It was delish!!! I can’t wait to make these again!
Love the idea of wraps. Thrilled you loved them so much!! 🙂
made this today it was super easy and very very tasty.. Amazing reciepe
Yay! Thrilled you love it, Versha 🙂
I found your blog a couple of months ago and loved the name. Of course I tried a few recipes and was amazed by the flavor and simplicity of the recipes.
This recipe is a keeper- used panko bread crumbs and covered it with gochujang sauce. Thanks
You’re most welcome, Jen! SO happy you are loving my blog and recipes 🙂
Absolutely AMAZING buffalo cauliflower recipe!!! I’ve tried several other vegan versions and this one is now my husbands favorite meal that I make. Just hands down perfect!!!
Yay!! So happy to hear that 🙂
Unbelievably delicious. I made these one evening, and the next day my boyfriend made a triple batch. Not to take to any event or anything. He just ate all of them. It was really impressive and he was super happy and did a little dance.
Thanks so much for this awesome recipe! X
Bahahaha! I love that story. What better review can you get then cauliflower making your boyfriend dance!? 😉
These were absolutely amazing! My husband and I were raving as we ate it. I made the blue cheese dressing to go with it and the whole combo just added to it. Thank you!!
Yay!! So happy you and your husband loved it, Anne 🙂
You posted this about 1-2 days after I made another version. I finally made your version and it’s AMAZING. My husband just couldn’t stop raving about these; and my 4-year-old daughter loved the coated cauliflower (sans hot sauce). Instead of corn flakes, I used an organic flake cereal with corn, flax, buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth… great substitute! Another hit, Sam!
Woohoo! So thrilled you and your fam love yet another one of my recipes, Srivani! I wonder how many “comments of the day” are yours now? Haha
Made this with the blue cheese dip (minus the tofu) and OMG it was absolutely delicious!!! Was so easy to make even for me! So happy I stumbled upon your site and preordered your cookbook – can’t wait for it!
Woot woot! Thanks so much, Krista! So happy you loved this recipe, and I know you will love the book when you get it too 🙂
Do you have suggestions on a corn flake substitute? Many thanks!
Panko bread crumbs would work well 🙂
Made this and the blue cheese dip. It was great! My sister and I think that we’re going to coat our favorite veggies in this. She had it without the sauce, just the dip and I poured the buffalo sauce on mine, both ways were fantastic. Thanks again for the great recipe.
Now you got me craving these cauliflower bites again, Kim! So happy you and your sister enjoyed them so much 🙂
O-M-G! These are bomb! I went vegetarian 3 years ago, and my hubby just recently gave up meat about 4 months ago. He admitted to me the other day that he had cheated and ate some buffalo chicken as he was craving the flavor, so I went searching for an alternative. BINGO! These were a perfect substitution and we both loved them. Thanks so much for the recipe!
That’s wonderful!!! So happy they hit the spot 🙂
Hello. I dont know what I’m doing wrong but I my cauliflower only coat well with flour. I try to toss with chia mixture and corn flake mixture but it doesn’t retain almost nothing of the mixture. It looks it gets too dry after tossing with flour. Can anyone help me please?
It sounds like maybe your chia mixture is a little dry. Try stirring in a bit more water. Toss the cauliflower in the flour, then dip in the chia (which should be watery and gooey) then toss in the cornflakes which will stick to the chia. Hope that helps!
I just made these! They are so good, I love the crunchiness!! Thank you!!
Yay!! So happy you loved them, Jenn! Thanks for leaving a review 🙂
Sam Sam Sam Sam – you absolute gold-star-genius! This is TO DIE FOR. Absolutely amazing idea. Always been a loyal hotforfood cauliflower fan – but I have to say, this blows it out the water – the crunch is.so.GOOD. I need to wait til the shops open tomorrow to get more chia and then I am SO on it again. Might try finding a copycat KFC seasoning recipe and adding it to the cornflake batter. Thank you for bringing this into our lives.
Awww shucks!! What a wonderful, flattering comment to start my Monday with. Thank you so much, Kelly! You totally made the comment of the day 🙂
Delicious, and I’ll definitely make it again, although I need to tweak the sauce since it was too hot for our tastes. Great with your Blue Cheese dip recipe, which I can’t get enough of!
Yay! So happy you enjoyed the cauliflower and the blue cheese dip 🙂
Hmm. If I search and find the link and then click on it, it works. But if I just click on a link at the bottom of another recipe I just get a page with an image of the recipe, the title and nothing else. Weird.
Hmmm, not sure what’s going on for you. I checked both on my laptop and my phone and I can see the recipe fine…
Must be an iPhone glitch.
OMGosh! This is an amazing dish. It is so delicious. I’ve made the cauliflower from another site and no way was it anywhere this good. Those corn flakes, really make it! AND the hot sauce isn’t that hot, it’s PERFECT!!
Woohoo!! So happy you loved it so much Irene! 😀
Hi Sam, I love you. Seriously! I just spent the weekend eating all you recipes, and each one became my new favourite :). BBQ sweet lentils which I adore, then the pulled jackfruit which was super delish. And then, OMG, I made these crunchy cauli bites today and I ate the lot. I can’t believe how crunchy and tasty and moreish they were. I can’t wait to make them for friends and family I know they will be blown away like me. You rock girl, love ALL your work. X
Haha, awww shucks. Thanks so much Ann! So thrilled you are loving the recipes so much, it makes me so happy! I look forward to seeing you around 😀
Would it be possible to use coconut oil instead of the vegan butter?
Yes absolutely, it just might be lacking in a little bit of buttery taste.
So…….when is your book coming out????? Oh yes, and by the way…delicious!!!!
Hahaha, so happy you enjoyed! My book is coming out in October 😀
These are delicious! Had to leave the crunch – I couldn’t bring myself to pour on the sauce. I am thinking next time I might add a little sauce to the flax mix – what do you think? I am eagerly awaiting your vegan may recipe. My brand is okay, but I think the blue cheese dip might be improved with a different mayo – didn’t have Hellman’s. Served with your lentil tacos – great meal!!
Yes! I have a vegan mayo recipe in my book 🙂 Adding sauce to the flax mixture would be a great little boost of flavour. So happy you enjoyed them!
Oooh this is the perfect type of recipe for when my husband bring his friends over. Those that think they will be served a bowl of kale and a glass of water because we are vegan. You manage to put out so many tempting innovative dishes. It is a wonder. Thank you. -Hanne
Awww shucks, thank you 🙂 Hahaha! No! Never ever shall we serve a bowl of kale and a glass of water! Hahaha.
what do you think would happen if you coated them in sauce after baking and then baked them again for another 10 minutes? would that prevent sogginess?
I’m not sure, you could give it a try. My guess is that if it did prevent sogginess, I imagine the sauce would dry up and not be very saucy…
I’ve been cooking them for 15 minutes, removing, coating with sauce, then back in the oven for the last ten minutes. They come out great! Wickedly crispy.
Great idea!!
Mmmm looks good and so easy. Will be trying this on the weekend. Thanks for sharing another great recipe
My absolute pleasure! I hope you love them Diane 🙂
Oh, I’m looking forward to trying this and serve it to the husband tomorrow! It will be the first time ever to buy corn flakes! 🙂
Hahaha! Perfect. I hope you and your husband love them! 😀
Dear me. I think this will be my contribution to our upcoming book club meeting. But maybe I should test drive a batch for myself first, just to be sure.
just to be sure 😉 Haha.
Excellent…. been waiting for this recipe. Cauliflower is in the fridge. I love the idea of “It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken” Buffalo things. Yum
Bahahahaha! Good call 🙂