Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These flavor-loaded baked buffalo cauliflower bites are a fun and tasty appetizer or snack.

I’ve had these tasty little bites at restaurants, but I had never tried making them at home until recently. I found an easy cauliflower bites recipe on Fork in the Kitchen that looked great and used ingredients I already had on hand–I love those kinds of recipes! I adapted their recipe a bit by popping the cauliflower bites back into the oven for a few minutes after saucing them, to let them crisp up a bit. I served these baked buffalo cauliflower bites with blue cheese dressing for my son and me and ranch dressing for my husband and daughter. These little bites disappeared quickly and were really tasty.

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Cauliflower Bites:

• 1 small head of cauliflower, cut into same-sized florets
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 large egg, well-whisked
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 cup panko crumbs
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼-½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Buffalo Sauce:

• ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter

Other Ingredients:

• Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Blue cheese dressing
• Ranch dressing
• Celery sticks

How to Make Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then place a wire cooling rack on top. Coat the wire rack well with cooking spray.  Side Note: Use your convection setting if you have it.

Prepare the cauliflower by cutting it into small, same-size florets.

Coat the florets with the cornstarch until evenly coated.

Make a dredging station by whisking the egg and water in a shallow bowl until very well combined.

In another shallow bowl, combine the panko crumbs, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Dredge the coated florets by dipping them in the egg mixture, then in the seasoned panko until evenly coated; set on the prepared wire rack.

Bake the cauliflower bites in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

Meanwhile, combine the hot sauce and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until hot and bubbling; whisk well.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the sauce over the cauliflower bites until well-coated but not drenched. Side Note: Skip this step if you want the cauliflower to stay crispy longer, and serve the baked florets with the hot, well-whisked buffalo sauce on the side for dipping. 

Return to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes.

Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley and blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, and celery sticks on the side, if desired. Enjoy.