BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WITH CASHEW RANCH
Looking for the perfect crispy spicy snack for game day tomorrow or to enjoy just because? These buffalo cauliflower bites are so easy and tasty especially when dunked in this homemade ranch dressing! These are perfect as an appetizer or to add to a wrap for lunch.
I actually made these tasty bites in the air fryer to save on oil but you can always use a parchment lined baking sheet in your oven or deep fry if you like. While I know these say "buffalo" wings, I actually just used a regular hot sauce. I personally find the flavors to be quite similar and like how simple the ingredients are in hot sauce a bit better. But, before you freak out let's talk about the difference between buffalo and hot sauce!
Hot sauce is the general term for a spicy sauce made from peppers, vinegar, and water while buffalo sauce is a type of hot sauce that usually has a bit of fat (sometime butter) in it, a bit more cayenne pepper, and is made for wings. There are plenty of vegan buffalo sauces out there that would work great in this recipe, so feel free to use what your heart desires!
*Note: I prefer to make the cashew ranch ahead of time so it has time to chill in the fridge and can get nice and cold. It is also nice to have the contrast of the hot cauliflower and the cold ranch to cool your tongue from the heat!
Step I: Set up your wet & dry mixes
Step II: Batter your cauliflower florets
Step III: Air fry battered florets
Step IV: Add sauce to crispy florets
Step V: Toss till well coated
Step VI: Add back to air fryer for 5 minutes, enjoy immediately
BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER RECIPE
Time: 15 min prep | 20 min cook
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1/2 cup Hot Sauce or Buffalo Sauce
Wet
1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy or almond milk
2 tbsp Hot Sauce or Buffalo Sauce
Dry
1 cup of flour
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
Directions:
*If using oven preheat to 400F, if using air fryer omit this step
Cut cauliflower into similar sized florets.
Make a bowl of your dry mix (mix till well combined) and then a separate bowl of your wet mix (mix till well combined).
Dip the floret in the wet mix, then into the dry, then back into the wet. Add to a parchment lined baking sheet or to the basket of your air fryer.
Repeat until all florets are done. *Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to do this in batches. Bake/ air fry for 15 minutes at 400F moving them around half way through.
Once done add cooked florets to a large bowl and top with your hot/buffalo sauce, toss till well coated.
Return to the air fryer/ oven for 3-5 minutes.
Serve immediately (with ranch dressing, recipe below)
Enjoy :)
CASHEW RANCH DRESSING RECIPE
Time: 30 min soak | 5 min prep | 30 min chill
Yield: ~1 cup
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cashews
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1 tsp pickle juice
1 tsp dried dill
2 tbsp lemon juice
Directions:
Soak cashews in water for 30 minutes minimum.
Rinse and drain cashews, add to a blender with 1 1/4 cups of water and all remaining ingredients. Blend till smooth. Add more water if you want a thinner consistency.
Chill for 30 min or more before serving.
Enjoy :)
