BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS WITH HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING

This wouldn’t be a complete plant-based food blog without the ever-popular-on-pinterest Buffalo Cauliflower Wings. Not only are these super easy to make, but they taste way more authentic than you are probably expecting. I’ve actually had these at a restaurant recently that served them with legit vegan bleu cheese! I don’t know how they did that, I don’t think I’m quite up to playing around with mold, so I went with vegan ranch dressing instead- which is a great staple to have on hand anyway! It’s really nice that these are baked instead of fried, so you are not loading up on unnecessary oil. You could, however, fry them if you want to instead of baking, your call! Serve these up with some celery and carrot sticks the next time you’re in the mood for some not-so-naughty bar food. They really hit the spot. 

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Makes 2 servings

1 cup flour*

1 cup beer

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

Salt and pepper

1 small head of cauliflower, cut into small bite sized pieces

3/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

1 tbs Earth Balance (optional)

*You can easily use gluten-free flour and water instead of beer to make this a gluten-free treat, the taste is barely changed at all

Ranch Dressing

1 cup soaked cashews (at least 3 hours)

1/3 cup water

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp fresh chopped dill

1 tsp fresh chopped parsley

1 tsp garlic powder

1tsp onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Make sure to measure the beer after the foam has subsided. Combine flour, beer, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl, stir to combine. It should be the consistency of pancake batter, you might have to add a bit more beer depending. Lightly grease a baking pan, or you can use parchment paper. 

One by one, dip the cauliflower bites into the batter to coat, and then use a fork or slotted spoon to lay them on the sheet. 

Try to work quickly so the batter doesn’t have too much time to pool under the florets.

Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter if you are going to use it and mix it with the Frank’s sauce.

Also Meanwhile, combine all the ranch ingredients in a food processor and blend until super smooth, a few minutes. Taste and adjust spices as needed.

Pull the ‘wings’ out and drizzle the sauce all over them. Give them a gentle toss on the pan to really get them fully coated.

Pop them back in for about 5 more minutes so that the sauce gets heated up as well.

Serve the ‘wings’ immediately it ranch on the side. 

*Update: I think it would be nice to wash the cauliflower florets, then sprinkle some salt, pepper, and garlic powder directly onto the florets before battering them, just as you might season your chicken wings. Enjoy!