Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a deliciously healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings, perfect for game day snacks or a tasty appetizer. Made with fresh cauliflower and baked to crispy perfection, these gluten-free tots are tossed in zesty buffalo hot sauce, bringing the heat without the guilt. Serve them with your choice of creamy ranch or tangy blue cheese dressing for dipping, making these bites a crowd-pleaser for both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing onions)
yellow onion
1/2 small (diced)
cauliflower
2 small heads or 4 stalks (chopped)
almond flour
1 cup (none)
large eggs
2 (whites separated)
buffalo wing hot sauce
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
crispy rice cereal
2 cups (blended in a food processor)
ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
1/3 cup (for dipping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it with cooking spray.
2
If using whole cauliflower, remove the outer leaves and core. Cut the cauliflower into large florets and pulse in a food processor until finely chopped and resembling a paste. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with the remaining florets.
3
Using several layers of cheesecloth, transfer the chopped cauliflower and bundle it up. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible into the bowl to ensure the tots will be crispy.
4
Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before adding to the bowl with the drained cauliflower.
5
Mix in the almond flour, egg whites, 1 teaspoon of buffalo hot sauce, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir the mixture until well combined and cohesive.
6
Using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the mixture into your hands and shape it into tot-shaped bites. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray them with cooking spray for added crispiness.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, then carefully flip each tot and bake for an additional 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
8
Once cooked, transfer the tots to a mixing bowl and toss with the remaining buffalo hot sauce. Serve immediately in a dish with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites?
They are a healthy, vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo wings, made with fresh cauliflower and baked until crispy.
Are these cauliflower bites gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe uses almond flour and crispy rice cereal, making these bites a gluten-free snack option.
How many heads of cauliflower do I need?
The recipe calls for 2 small heads or 4 stalks of cauliflower.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) for baking these bites.
How do I prepare the cauliflower for the mixture?
Cut the cauliflower into large florets and pulse in a food processor until finely chopped and resembling a paste.
Why do I need to squeeze the cauliflower in cheesecloth?
Squeezing the chopped cauliflower removes excess moisture, which is essential to ensure the tots become crispy during baking.
What kind of onion is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a small yellow onion, diced and sautéed.
How long should I sauté the onion?
Sauté the diced onion in olive oil for approximately 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
One cup of almond flour is used to help bind the cauliflower mixture.
Do I use the whole egg?
No, the recipe specifically uses the whites from 2 large eggs.
How much buffalo sauce goes into the initial cauliflower mixture?
Only 1 teaspoon of buffalo hot sauce is added to the initial mixture; the rest is used for tossing later.
What is the total amount of buffalo sauce needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon of buffalo wing hot sauce.
What spices are included for flavoring?
The bites are seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
What is the purpose of the crispy rice cereal?
The rice cereal, blended in a food processor, provides an extra layer of crunchiness to the cauliflower bites.
How should I shape the cauliflower mixture?
Use your hands to shape the mixture into tot-shaped bites using about a tablespoon of the mixture for each.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it with cooking spray.
How do I ensure the cauliflower bites are extra crispy?
Lightly spray the shaped tots with cooking spray before putting them in the oven.
How long do the bites need to bake?
Bake them for a total of 16 minutes: 8 minutes on one side, then flip and bake for another 8 minutes.
Do I need to flip the tots while baking?
Yes, carefully flip each tot halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning and crispiness.
What color should the bites be when finished?
The cauliflower bites should be golden brown and crispy when they are ready.
When do I add the remaining buffalo sauce?
Toss the tots with the remaining buffalo hot sauce in a mixing bowl once they are finished baking.
What are the recommended dipping sauces for this dish?
Serve the bites with ranch dressing or tangy blue cheese dressing for dipping.
How much dipping sauce is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/3 cup of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Is this recipe suitable for game day?
Yes, these bites are described as a perfect game day snack or tasty appetizer.
Is the cauliflower cooked before being processed?
No, the cauliflower is processed raw into a paste-like consistency.
Can I use a scoop for the mixture?
Yes, a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon helps in portioning the mixture before shaping.
Are these bites fried?
No, these bites are baked in the oven to make them a healthier alternative to fried wings.
How much olive oil is used?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onions.
Are these cauliflower bites vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
Should the onion be hot when added to the cauliflower?
The sautéed onion should be allowed to cool slightly before being mixed with the drained cauliflower and egg whites.