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Fresh tender cauliflower florets, flour, spices, buffalo sauce, honey, butter, chives, parsley, crisp celery, and blue cheese dressing laid out as ingredients for buffalo cauliflower bites.

Crispy Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These irresistible Buffalo Cauliflower Bites feature a thick, crispy battered coating smothered in a glossy, caramelized orange-red buffalo glaze. Served with fresh herbs, celery, and blue cheese dressing, they are the ultimate spicy appetizer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 medium head cauliflower Cut into bite-sized florets.
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 120g. Creates the thick batter.
  • 1 tsp baking powder 4g. Crucial for the crispy, textured coating.
  • 1 cup milk 240ml. Can use water or plant-based milk.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder 3g.
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika 3g.
  • 0.5 tsp salt 2g.
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper 1g.
  • 0.75 cup buffalo hot sauce 180ml.
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter 56g, melted.
  • 1 tbsp honey 15ml. Helps caramelize the edges.
  • 1 tbsp fresh green chives 3g, finely chopped.
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley flakes 3g, finely chopped.
  • 2 stalks celery Crisp, pale green, raw.
  • 0.5 cup blue cheese dressing 120ml, thick and creamy with visible crumbles.

Equipment

  • 2 Large rimmed baking sheets Essential for spacing the florets so they roast rather than steam.
  • 1 Parchment Paper Prevents the wet batter from sticking to the pan.

Method
 

Prep and Batter
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and milk until a smooth batter forms.
  2. Drop the cauliflower florets into the batter in batches. Toss gently to completely coat, then tap off excess batter so they have a thick, even layer.
Bake and Glaze
  1. Arrange the battered florets on the baking sheets with plenty of space between them. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until a thick, textured, crispy coating forms.
  2. While baking, whisk together the buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey in a large bowl.
  3. Transfer the crispy cauliflower into the bowl with the buffalo glaze and toss until perfectly coated. Return to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes until you see slightly charred and caramelized edges.
  4. Serve in a rustic bowl, garnished with chopped chives and parsley flakes. Serve with raw celery sticks and a ramekin of blue cheese dressing on the side.

Notes

Do Not Crowd the Pan: Space the florets evenly so they roast instead of steam.
Serve Immediately: They are crispiest fresh out of the oven.