Buffalo Cauliflower Bites w. Yogurt Gorgonzola Dip
We hadn't been there in a while so I was struck by a new menu item: Buffalo Cauliflower "Wings." Any regular readers of this blog already know I'm sort of obsessed with this cruciferous veggie. Cauliflower is packed with goodies like vitamins C and K, as well as folate (so crucial during before conception and in early pregnancy to prevent birth defects), potassium, and manganese; it's also loaded with fiber, promoting digestive health plus satiety. Plus, cauliflower is an incredibly flexible ingredient, so it works as a fabulous low-carb, low-calorie substitute for rice, as an addition to pasta, or even as a faux popcorn!
The "wings" at the pub were yummy, but deep-fried and heavy. I knew I had to make my own at home. I did a quick search and found this version from Peta; it seemed like a great place to start. With a few little changes, it turned out fantastic and truly satisfied that buffalo sauce craving I sometimes get. Hey, I ain't too proud to admit that!
(adapted from Peta.org)
Ingredients
serves 2-4
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup flour*
1 tsp. ground, dried garlic (or garlic powder)
small head of cauliflower, cut into florets (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup hot sauce (I used Frank's)
2T melted butter or coconut oil
*I used gluten-free Pamela's baking mix because it's made with rice flour, which is probably the ideal flour for this dish (I didn't have plain rice flour handy). As with tempura, rice flour lends a crispy and light breading to the cauliflower.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
The mix I used includes almond flour, so that's what those brown specks are. |
In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, flour and dried garlic. Dip each floret into the batter, letting the excess drip off. Place the florets on a large, parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes.
In the meantime, mix the hot sauce and melted butter together in a small bowl. (I increased the amount of butter from the original recipe because I wanted the bites to be a bit crispier.) Once the cauliflower is baked, brush the sauce on both sides of the florets, making sure they are entirely coated. Put cauliflower back in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the florets are a bit browned and slightly crunchy.
Despite the photo above, I'd recommend using a fork to dip these bites—since these cauliflower bites are boneless (can you imagine if they weren't?! nightmare-worthy!) they aren't as sturdy for dunking as real wings.
The last step in this recipe: DIG IN!
**If you're pregnant and concerned about the blue cheese in the dressing, the CDC recommends choosing only pasteurized blue-veined cheeses, so check your package.
These sound awesome, girls!! Love the kick and spice!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ally!
ReplyDeleteHot damn -- I still miss buffalo wings after 9 years as a vegetarian (and I crave the sauce all the time -- I put Red Hot on popcorn a lot, but somehow not the same), and I can't wait to try this! Thanks, FBS!
ReplyDeleteYummy! These were a big hit. I too used a GF flour and it worked great!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to make these! Adding cauliflower, rice flour, hot sauce, and gorgonzola to the shopping list right now. These should be perfect for a fun Thursday night dinner, by then I should finally be out of leftovers from the holiday weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, I adore leftovers! But, yeah, these will be a fun respite :-)
ReplyDeleteHope your Purim was fun!
So glad you liked them! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and post a review.
ReplyDeleteI'm an omnivore, but i don't want to have to eat deep-fried meat, just to get my Buffalo fix ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! Just saw it on GroO New York's Facebook page and had to come over... so great! ;0).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to stop by and post!
ReplyDeleteOh i love buffalo chicken, i'll try it!
ReplyDeleteI love this spicy healthy dish! I recently acquired a taste for hot stuff and I'm looking for healthy recipes to satisfy my spicy addiction.
ReplyDeleteThe buffalo cauliflower and Gorgonzola dip was so delicious and simple to make. We had it with dinner last night and I woke up this morning craving the delightful spicy cauliflower and tangy Gorgonzola cheese. Guess what I had for breakfast?!
ReplyDeleteYou seriously had me fooled with the picture on pinterest... I thought, why are chicken wings tagged with meatless monday??? This cauliflower and hot sauce lover is definitely going to give this a try. I just fell in love with oven roasted cauliflower the other day.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing! I am so happy to have this recipe! Now when I want greasy wings I will just make these. A lot of substitute foods are not good...this one is!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it fulfilled your craving!
ReplyDeleteHa, I was surprised at how much the plate of florets ended up really looking like a plate of wings! Hope you enjoy it when you try it out :-)
ReplyDeleteYay!
ReplyDeleteHope this works for ya :-)
ReplyDeleteLet us know how you like it!
ReplyDeleteOh YEAH! These look incredible! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'll be making these asap. *print*
ReplyDeleteYay, thanks!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant recipe! I'm obsessed with buffalo sauce on anything, but feel guilty when its on deep fried wings. Can't wait to try.
ReplyDeleteGIna
ZestFloridaFoodie.com
Found you through the Sunday Supper Movement Facebook page and boy am I glad I did.... this dip looks amazing!
ReplyDeletethanks so much, hope you enjoy :-)
ReplyDeletecan't wait to try this treat-I also love the buffalo wing craving at times!! thanks!!
ReplyDeletehope you like them!
ReplyDeleteDoes regular flour work>?
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this buffalo wing recipe.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so yummy that i am gonna make it today... thanks a lot .
ReplyDeleteHope you like it! Come back and let us know :-)
ReplyDeleteLadies this was BEYOND delicious and so easy! 5 Stars! I've had to share your recipe with over 5 people because it came out so great! Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeletethank you so much for trying it! And I really appreciate your taking the time to come back and let us know you liked it!
ReplyDeleteIt was delicious!
ReplyDeleteso glad you enjoyed :-)
DeleteI am drooling!! I just want to dig in! Nettie
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea to eat more vegetables! And cauliflowers are so good! Thanks for this lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE using cauliflower in this way. What a delicious recipe.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea. I need to try this soon!
ReplyDelete(Buffalo Cauliflower Bites w. Yogurt Gorgonzola Dip) These sure sound wonderful. I am going to make some for my brothers the next time we all get together.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool idea!!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, I will be making these soon
ReplyDeleteHow fantastically delicious do these sound! Yummy!
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered what to serve alongside chicken wings for vegetarians. Now I know. Brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteI like rice flour for breading, too. Like you, I prefer the light crunch it gives.
ReplyDeleteyum I love the idea of a yogurt sauce!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a creative recipe! I really want to get more cauliflower in our diets. This fun recipe is a great way to start!
ReplyDeleteI am finding so many cauliflower recipes on your site. Can't wait to try them.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great recipe. I always make this when we have a crowd and everyone is surprised how good it is. Love this.!
ReplyDeleteI love using cauliflower this way. Looks very delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis is a show-stopper and am sure the star on any appetizer table! Love this!!! Pinned for trying later, too!
ReplyDeleteWow, awesome appetizer idea.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and son are big fans of blue cheese so these little bites are right up their alley!
ReplyDeleteI made these, and they are super delicious! Easy and fun too! Perfect for any party! Thanks so much for this recipe!
ReplyDeleteI have got to try these, they look amazing!
ReplyDeletei love yogurt dip!
ReplyDeleteThese are perfect right now for football season! :)
ReplyDeleteThese sound amazing and thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing! Perfect for the holiday season, and apps. :o)
ReplyDeleteThese heated cauliflower bites would be perfect for the big game coming up. I will have to watch the heat though...The Hubby has a "wuss mouth". But I bet they are delish no matter the heat.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to be making these cauliflower wings! I love cauliflower in so many recipes. Can't wait to try this out!
ReplyDeleteI love cauliflower in so many recipes! I must try this!
ReplyDeleteYum! Tried these last night, made vegan. I will be making them again, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese are perfect for game day snacks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so addicted to that buffalo flavor! I really can't wait to try these!
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe!!! It turned out great!
ReplyDeleteYUM! These look delicious and a much healthier choice over fried wings!
ReplyDeleteThese look so delicious and healthy!! I'll be trying these this football season
ReplyDeleteI have made a big point of not eating fried food anymore - this is a great alternative to buffalo wings (which I love!!)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try these! These are my kind of snack and perfect when you want to stick to low carb foods!
ReplyDeleteLoving this Meatless version of Buffalo wings! :D
ReplyDeleteAdding this to my tail gating recipes!! LOVE me some hot wing sauce!
ReplyDeleteI love the healthy spin on these, and that yogurt gorgonzola dip! YUM!
ReplyDeleteThese are a great alternative when I am going meat free but still crave chicken wings!!
ReplyDeleteSo much flavor!!!! The dip sounds fantastic for so many dishes too!
ReplyDelete