Looking for a healthier twist on your favorite spicy appetizer? This Healthy Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower with Creamy Ranch Dressing is the perfect plant-based option, packed with bold flavors and a satisfying crunch. Coated in a spicy buffalo sauce and paired with a creamy, dairy-free ranch dressing, it’s the ideal guilt-free snack or side dish. While many buffalo cauliflower recipes are deep-fried and loaded down with beaucoup oils and sugars, this healthy buffalo cauliflower recipe is oven-baked, and includes a light touch of olive oil, optional salt, and no added sugars! Whether you’re hosting a game day party, enjoying a cozy night in, or just craving something delicious and vegan, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. Let’s dive into how to make this irresistible, plant-based treat that’s both nutritious and full of flavor!
I am absolutely in love with this buffalo cauliflower recipe, and have served it dozens of times in my own home. In fact, I still remember the first time I tasted buffalo cauliflower in a cool, trendy restaurant in Silver Lake several years ago. And ever since then it’s been popping up on restaurant menus all over the country. This lighter, oven-baked version is certainly packed with nutrition, yet it’s still rich in flavor, I promise! Make a batch and watch these babies disappear! It’s really that good.
This recipe is completely plant-based and gluten-free (if you use gluten-free flour), and includes my own home-made, trademark vegan ranch dressing—though you can certainly use store-bought ranch dressing to save time. It’s super easy, too. You just mix together a spicy batter using flour, water, spices, vinegar, EVOO, and hot sauce; dredge the cauliflower florets into the batter, and bake them on a baking sheet in a hot oven. Mix up the vegan ranch dressing while you’re waiting for them to come out of the oven. Serve the piping hot Buffalo Cauliflower with the Vegan Ranch and celery sticks. Yum! This is a great party food (Super Bowl for example!), holiday appetizer or side dish, or just plain comfort food to jazz up your menu any day of the week.
I always grow cauliflower in my garden each year. I’m pictured with one of these beauties below (which was used in this very same recipe!). I also grow the celery for the garnish and herbs for the Ranch in my garden. The humble cauliflower is in the cruciferous family; thus, it’s packed with cancer-fighting compounds. Try growing it yourself, or put it on your weekly shopping list. The colored cauliflower are especially gorgeous.
Step-By-Step Guide:
Description
Discover a delicious and healthy vegan buffalo cauliflower recipe, served with homemade creamy ranch dressing. A perfect plant-based appetizer or snack that’s flavorful, spicy, and guilt-free!
Buffalo Cauliflower:
- 2 medium heads cauliflower, split into medium-sized florets
- 1 cup flour (use gluten-free flour, such as sorghum or rice to make this recipe gluten-free)
- ¾ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2–4 tablespoons hot sauce (based on your preference for spiciness)
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce or ketchup
Vegan Ranch Dip:
- ½ cup vegan light mayonnaise (make your own vegan mayo here)
- 1/3 cup plant-based milk, plain, unsweetened (i.e., soy, oat, almond)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons assorted freshly chopped herbs (i.e., dill, basil, oregano, chives, parsley, cilantro, tarragon)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Pinch salt (optional)
Garnish:
- 4 stalks celery, sliced into sticks (keep leaves on for a pretty garnish)
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, garlic powder, paprika, and salt (optional). Stir in water, vinegar, olive oil, hot sauce, and chili sauce or ketchup and mix until smooth to make a batter.
- Dip the cauliflower florets into the batter and arrange evenly on the baking sheet. Drizzle any remaining batter over the cauliflower florets.
- Place in top shelf of oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare the vegan ranch dressing by mixing all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.
- Place the ranch dressing in a serving bowl, arrange hot buffalo cauliflower on a platter and serve with celery sticks and dressing on the side.
Notes
Alternatively, you may use store-bought vegan ranch dressing.
To make this recipe gluten-free use gluten-free flour.
Total Time should be 45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (cauliflower + ranch)
- Calories: 262
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 319 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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