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The use of cauliflower has evolved over the years. What was once the veggie people picked around on a crudité platter is now used to make low-carb, low-calorie alternatives to rice, pizza crust, mashed potatoes, and these amazing crispy, saucy “chicken” wings.

The meaty texture of baked cauliflower lends itself to replicating boneless chicken wings. Now, I won’t lie, there’s a difference between this plant-based “chicken” and their classic counterpart but I can tell you that vegans and non-vegans alike will rave about these wings! They are twice-baked to crisp up the wings and let the BBQ sauce stick to them.

So grab the following ingredients and make these cauliflower wings for your next gathering or just for yourself because we got Buffalo Wild Wings at home.

  • Small head of cauliflower
  • Flour
  • Plain plant-based milk
  • Seasonings – You can use whatever spices you like to season the batter. I use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute.
  • Panko bread crumbs
  • Your favorite barbecue sauce

And you can’t have BBQ wings without a cool and creamy dip so here’s what you’ll need to make the vegan ranch dipping sauce:

  • Vegan mayo
  • Plain plant-based milk
  • Dill
  • Garlic
  • Onion powder
  • Paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • Apple cider vinegar

Break the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.

Mix the flour, milk, and seasonings in a medium-sized bowl. This is the only chance you’ll have to season the wings so taste just a bit of the batter and adjust the seasonings if necessary. In a separate bowl add the panko bread crumbs. Panko breadcrumbs give the cauliflower pieces a great texture and crunch.

Once the cauliflower pieces are coated pop them in the oven for 20 minutes.

Now comes the sauce! You’re going to be tempted to slather on the BBQ sauce and eat the cauliflower wings but they gotta go back in the oven. The second bake makes the sauce sticky and caramelized. Bake the cauliflower wings for another 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the wings so they don’t burn.

While the wings are baking now’s the the time to make the ranch sauce by mixing all the ingredients in a small bowl.

Enjoy!

BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Twice-Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head Cauliflower small
  • 1 cp. Flour
  • 1 cp. Plant-based milk plain
  • 1 tbsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp. Onion powder
  • 1 tbsp. Trader Joe's 21 Salute Seasoning
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 2 cp. Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cp. BBQ sauce

Vegan Ranch Dressing

  • 1/2 cp. Vegan mayo
  • 1 tbsp. Plant-based milk plain
  • 1/4 tsp. Dill dried
  • 1/4 tsp. Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp. Onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. Parsley dried
  • 1/8 tsp. Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt
  • 1/2 tbsp. Apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
  • In a medium bowl combine flour, milk, and spices and whisk together.
  • In a separate bowl add the panko bread crumbs.
  • Coat the cauliflower in the wet batter then the panko bread crumbs.
  • Place cauliflower on baking sheet and bake 20 min.
  • Remove from oven and brush wings with BBQ sauce. Place the wings back in the oven for another 5-10 min.
  • While the wings are baking combine all the ranch dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
  • Remove wings from oven and let cool 5 min.
  • Enjoy!
Keyword cauliflower