Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Why This Is The Best Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Crispy, saucy, and ridiculously good, these vegan cauliflower wings check all the right boxes. I will never make another wing recipe again because these are simply perfection. They’re baked instead of fried but still deliver that golden crunch, and they soak up buffalo sauce like a dream. Whether you’re making them for a crowd or just treating yourself, here’s why this recipe is a keeper:

• Crispy without frying: The batter creates a light, crunchy coating that bakes up beautifully—no deep fryer required. A quick return to the oven after saucing keeps them crisp and flavorful.
• Perfectly saucy: These cauliflower bites don’t just get tossed in buffalo sauce; they cling to it. The batter helps lock in all that tangy, spicy goodness without getting soggy.
• Baked, not soggy: No limp, sad cauliflower here. The high heat of the oven ensures they come out tender on the inside with crispy, golden edges.
• Dippable and snackable: Whether you go for a classic vegan ranch or mix it up with another sauce, these wings are built for dunking.
• Crowd-pleasing (even for skeptics): Sure, they’re vegan and made of cauliflower, but put a plate of these out and watch them vanish!
• Simple ingredients, big flavor: No complicated steps, no hard-to-find ingredients. Just fresh cauliflower, a foolproof batter, and prepared vegan buffalo sauce.

Key Ingredients

The magic of vegan buffalo cauliflower is in the details—simple ingredients that work together to bring you that crispy, saucy, can’t-stop-eating-it kind of bite. The baked wings get their crunch from a light batter, while the homemade vegan ranch is creamy, herby, and essential for dunking. Here’s what makes it all come together:

• Cauliflower: The workhorse of this recipe. It stays tender on the inside while crisping up beautifully on the outside. Use fresh cauliflower and chop into uniform-sized florets for consistent baking. If you must use frozen, make sure to thaw first and pat dry with a clean lint-free kitchen towel to prevent them from becoming soggy.
• White Rice Flour: The secret to a light, delicate crunch. Unlike regular flour, rice flour crisps up without weighing things down—so you get crispy vegan cauliflower wings, not heavy, doughy bites.
• Salt, Paprika, and Garlic Powder: The simple-but-perfect trifecta. Salt enhances, paprika adds a touch of smokiness, and garlic powder gives it that savory depth. A small but mighty upgrade to the batter.
• Vegan Buffalo Wing Sauce: The main event. Buffalo sauce brings the classic tangy heat, coating every crispy bite in that signature kick. I used Frank’s Red Hot which is easy to find at more grocery stores. (If you love this sauce, give it a try on our Vegan Buffalo Tofu Wings!)
• Vegan Mayo: The creamy, dreamy base that makes this dip ultra-smooth and dippable. Choose a good-quality vegan mayo for the best texture and flavor.
• Vegan Sour Cream: The not-so-secret ingredient that makes this ranch next-level. Vegan sour cream adds tang, richness, and that perfect scoopable consistency.
• Worcestershire Sauce & White Vinegar: The unexpected flavor boosters. Worcestershire adds depth (just make sure it’s vegan), while vinegar gives it the little acidic punch that keeps things balanced.
• Fresh Dill, Chives, and Parsley: The must-haves. Fresh herbs give this ranch its signature herby, slightly garlicky, ultra-refreshing flavor. Skip them, and you’ll miss out.

As always, the full list with quantities can be found in the printable recipe card below!

How to Make Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower

This is one of those recipes that looks impressive but is actually super simple to pull off. A quick batter, a blast of heat in the oven, a good toss in buffalo sauce, and boom—crispy, saucy perfection. No deep frying, no complicated steps, just vegan cauliflower wings that are fun to make and even more fun to eat. For full recipe details, scroll to the end of this post!

Step 1: Prep and Preheat – Set your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures a crisp, golden exterior without any sticking. Chop your cauliflower into bite-sized florets—small enough for snacking, but big enough to hold that perfect buffalo coating.

Step 2: Make the Batter – In a large bowl, whisk together white rice flour, seasonings, and water until smooth. This light batter is what gives the cauliflower its crispness, so no skipping!

Step 3: Coat and Bake – Dip each floret into the batter, letting the excess drip off.

Step 4: Spread Out: Arrange them on the baking sheet with space between each one.

Bake for about 20 minutes until lightly golden and crisp around the edges.

Step 5: While your cauliflower is baking, prepare the vegan ranch dressing by whisking all the ingredients together well in a large bowl.

Step 6: Sauce It Up – Time for the good stuff. Toss the baked cauliflower in warm buffalo sauce, making sure every piece is well coated. For extra crispiness, pop them back in the oven for a few more minutes to seal in all that flavor.

Step 7: Dunk and Devour – Serve immediately with a generous side of homemade vegan ranch. Crispy, spicy, creamy—it’s everything you want in a snack.

Tips For The Best Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

If you want crispy, saucy, restaurant-level buffalo cauliflower, a few simple tricks make all the difference. No sad, soggy wings here—just golden, crunchy bites that hold up to all that tangy buffalo goodness. Here’s how to nail it every time:

• Dry Your Cauliflower: Water is the enemy of crispiness. After washing your cauliflower, pat it completely dry with a clean kitchen towel before battering. Any excess moisture will dilute the batter and leave you with floppy wings instead of that golden crunch.
• Don’t Skip the Rice Flour: White rice flour is the base of crispy coatings. It bakes up lighter and crunchier than regular flour, giving these vegan buffalo cauliflower wings their signature texture. If you swap it for all-purpose flour, the coating will be thicker and slightly heavier—still good, but not as crisp.
• Space Them Out on the Baking Sheet: Crowded cauliflower = steaming instead of crisping. Make sure there’s some breathing room between each piece so the hot air can circulate. Use two baking sheets if needed—totally worth it for that extra crunch factor.
• Bake at High Heat (and Flip!): 450°F is the sweet spot for crispy cauliflower. Anything lower, and they won’t crisp up as much. Flipping them halfway through ensures even browning on all sides, so don’t skip it!
• Sauce at the Right Time: Buffalo sauce is glorious, but it’s also full of moisture—which means if you toss the wings too early, they’ll soften up fast. Bake the cauliflower first, coat it in sauce, then pop it back in the oven for a few extra minutes. This helps the sauce cling better and keeps the wings crispy longer.
• Go All In on the Dip: Buffalo wings without a cool, herby ranch? Tragic. This homemade vegan ranch is ridiculously easy to make, and it balances out the spice perfectly. If ranch isn’t your thing, try a creamy dill dressing or even a plant-based blue cheese dip for that classic combo.

How To Serve These Vegan Wings

Buffalo cauliflower is already a star on its own, but why stop there? Whether you’re turning it into a full meal, loading up a snack platter, or just looking for an excuse to try more dipping sauces (always a good idea), here are some fun and creative ways to serve it up:

• Wrap It Up: Stuff these crispy, saucy bites into a rainbow lavash wrap with fresh veggies and a drizzle of vegan ranch for the ultimate handheld meal. It’s fresh, crunchy, and just messy enough to be extra satisfying.
• Make a Game Day Spread: Want to go all out? Pair these vegan cauliflower wings with a platter of crispy fried olives, Hasselback potatoes, herbed polenta fries, football puff pastries, and soft pretzel bites. This is peak party food—aka, the kind of lineup that guarantees an empty table by halftime.
• Switch Up the Sauce: Buffalo is a classic, but have you tried BBQ cauliflower wings? Swap in your favorite smoky-sweet barbecue sauce for a totally different, equally snackable vibe.
• Double Down on Dips: No such thing as too much dip. Pair these wings with classic vegan ranch, a creamy dill dressing, or go bold with a vegan buffalo chicken dip for a double hit of that tangy-spicy magic.