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Oven baked and extra saucy, Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch. Breaded cauliflower, baked, and tossed in homemade buffalo sauce. Serve with a creamy, light, and healthy tahini ranch dressing. Add extra sauce buffalo sauce, and enjoy! Trust me, every bite is delicious and will leave you wanting more.
After years of not having my tried and true buffalo cauliflower recipe on the site, I’m finally sharing it. Why it took so long is just silly. I thought there were one too many buffalo cauliflower recipes on the internet. And well, there might be, but whatever, this recipe is highly requested and one of my family’s favorites.
With all the football happening this month, and then the Super Bowl coming up next month, I’m sharing my recipe! We really love it, so I finally decided it was just silly not to share the way I make it!
As I said, my family regularly requests all things buffalo. Buffalo chicken, pizza, pretzel twists…even these fun buffalo chicken wraps. But they really love something they can “dip” when they’re watching the game or all sitting around talking. So buffalo cauliflower ends up being their most requested buffalo.
I serve these both as an appetizer and as a dinner (usually with fries – sometimes rice). I also like to serve them with a side of blue cheese ranch. Since it’s “Healthy January” I’m sharing my creamy tahini ranch, which I love just as much!!
The details
I make these so often. Therefore, I like to keep them pretty quick and simple, so they don’t take a lot of time. And no frying is needed!
Start off by breaking the cauliflower up into florets. Then whisk up a few eggs in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower right into the whisked eggs, then simply toss to coat.
For the crumbs, I really like using finely crushed corn flakes. I’ve found they provide the best texture. If you’re someone who prefers to eat gluten-free, use gluten-free bread crumbs instead. Then mix the crumbs with smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne.
Now dredge the cauliflower through the seasoned crumbs, then bake!
For the buffalo sauce, my favorite ratio is 3 to 2, hot sauce to melted butter (or olive oil). I then add some seasoned salt and a big pinch of black pepper. It literally takes minutes to make these and they are so good.
Next comes the tahini ranch, again, it’s so simple. Basically, you’re replacing sour cream and mayo with tahini. So it’s tahini, plus dried herbs, and then a little lemon. It’s delicious, and a nice lighter ranch option.
When the cauliflower is crispy, drizzle the buffalo sauce over, and then give the pan a good toss.
It’s not fancy at all, but that’s what makes these bites so good. These are a delicious alternative to restaurant buffalo chicken…just made in a healthier, less greasy, way. And yes, they’re pretty darn perfect for game night too.
Enjoy everyone!
Looking for more game day recipes? Here are a few to try:
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels
Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch
Lastly, if you make this Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 232 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups finely crushed corn flake crumbs
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, use to your taste
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (I use Frank's)
- 1/3 cup melted butter or extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Tahini Ranch
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons dried chives
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, use to your taste
- kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the cauliflower and toss well to coat. In a separate bowl combine the corn flake crumbs, paprika, cayenne, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.3. Dredge the cauliflower through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning the cauliflower halfway through cooking.4. Meanwhile, whisk together the hot sauce, butter, seasoned salt, and a pinch of black pepper until smooth. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower, gently tossing to coat. Return to the oven for 5 minutes.5. To make the tahini ranch, combine everything in a bowl, whisking in 1/4 to 1/2 cup water to thin the dressing. Taste and season with salt and pepper. 6. Serve the cauliflower with extra buffalo sauce and tahini ranch on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
I adapted this for what was in the house – swapped panko for cornflakes, used Frank’s Buffalo sauce, and served with blue cheese & ranch dressings. I like this even better than greasy, messy wings! So good!!!
Hi Jennifer,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a great week:) xT
So yummy! Loved these! I love buffalo sauce but am not a big meat eater so these little cauliflower bites were the perfect carrier.
Hi Susan,
So glad to hear this! Thanks for making this recipe and your comment! Have a great Thursday! xT
0/10 – these were so bad. A soggy, inedible mess.
Hi Kristen! So sorry this recipe didn’t turn out for you! Is there anything I can do to help? xT
These are delicious. I had to use certified GF corn flakes and the only ones I could find had honey in them. Soo good! The tahini dipping sauce was too thick, so I added water to thin it out to a dipping consistency.
I have not invested in an air fryer yet, but I imagine they would be crispier cooked in the air fryer.
Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! Have an amazing week! 🙂 xT
What a fun recipe! I ran the cornflakes through a food processor and for hot sauce, used LA PALOMA MILD SAUCE FOR HOT PEOPLE. I did add a touch of coconut sugar to balance the vinegary sauce. I enjoy tahini, but my husband requested blue cheese dip next time. Yep, I will make this again!
Hey May,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and your review!! 🍓🫐🍉
Hi! Just to verify, not Franks Buffalo wing sauce, regular Franks hot sauce?
Thanks
Correct:)
WHAT WOULD be a substitute for eggs?
Hey Betty,
You could try using buttermilk in place of the eggs, I’ve not tested this. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Omg absolutely delicious. Used panko breadcrumbs instead. Perfect for the superbowl and will definitely be making this again.
Hey Kristina,
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💌 I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was tasty! xT
So good! Made for the super bowl, will make again. Followed recipe as written, except didn’t have dried chives or dill, so I used fresh and it turned out well.
Hey Melissa,
Happy Monday!! 💘 Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Very impressed with how the recipe came out exactly as pictured. Easy recipe, and we need to incorporate more veggies into diet, so perfect alternative to wings. We thought the recipe really doesn’t need cayenne added; Frank’s was spicy enough for us.The tahini ranch was also surprisingly delish.
Hey Dawn,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend! 🏈
What would be a good replacement for cornflakes? 🙂
Hey Katy,
Special K would work, you could also try panko breadcrumbs. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
This is excellent! I baked in the air fryer at 375 for 8 minutes each side and then and additional 4 minutes with the sauce. So good. Thank you!
Hey Jennifer,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend:)