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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.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower
- Large eggs
- Finely crushed corn flake crumbs
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Hot sauce
- Melted butter
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Seasoned salt
Tahini Ranch
- Tahini
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Dried chives
- Dried parsley
- Dried dill
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and pepper
Kitchen Supplies
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- large mixing bowl
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.
Watch the How-To Reel
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!
This post was originally published on January 11, 2022
On the Insta stories where this is made I saw you drizzle over olive oil before baking. I think this is key for the cauliflower crisping up in the oven! The recipe above doesn’t say that, so when I made it last night I ended up with some kind of soggy cauliflower ? maybe add that in to the recipe above??
I’ve noticed this on a couple recipes I’ve made too— different on Insta stories than what the recipe instructions say. Then the stuff doesn’t turn out like it did on the story. Sorta disappointing.
Hi Cami,
So sorry, I am not sure what you are referring to, but I always make my recipes as the instructions list on IG. If I ever miss a step, it is an honest mistake. Please let me know if I can help you in any other way! xTieghan
Hi Rachel,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! The olive oil is not key, but thanks for bringing that to my attention. xTieghan
Must be a glitch. I got this yesterday.
Hi Charlotte,
Sorry, I am not sure what you mean? Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Is there supposed to be dairy in the ranch recipe?
Hi Erica,
Nope, no dairy in the ranch:) Please let me know if you give it a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Do you think I can use corn meal instead of flakes? Thanks ? Love your recipes!
Hi Gail,
Sorry, I would not use corn meal for this recipe, almond flour or Panko would work better for you. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Could I use Panko to sub for the corn flakes?
Hi Anna,
Yes, that will work well for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
The recipe looks amazing, I can’t wait to try it. When you say 1 1/4 C. Corn flakes, is that 1 1/4 cups of crushed corn flakes, which would really be 3 to 4 cups corn flakes uncrushed. Or do you mean 1 1/4 cups of corn flakes total and then crush and use that amount only. I hope this is not confusing.
Hey Stephanie,
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of finely crushed corn flakes, so you will measure this out once they are crushed. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I have a friend with an egg allergy, is there anything that I can use in lieu of the eggs? Thank you!
NRG egg replacer is a godsend. that’s what I use and I’m deathly allergic to eggs. it works wonders.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I imagine flax eggs or aquafaba may be a good substitute (I’ll likely try one of the two!)
Hi Amber,
I think buttermilk would be your next best option! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Not only do all of your recipes look delicious, your photography is AMAZING!
Thank you so very much Linda!! xTieghan
Would this work well in an air fryer? I assume so, but have you/has anyone tried it that way? Thanks!
Hi Connie,
I haven’t tried it, but I bet it would work well for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hello! Do you think this would work well in a air fryer?
Came here to ask the same thing 🙂
Me too…I’m late to the air fryer game, I just got mine a week ago!
Awesome!! I think these would work well for you Debbie!
Hi Kelly,
Yes, I think these would work well in an air fryer:)
Hey Molly,
Sure, I bet that would turn out nicely for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
It’s painful to see and read these delicious recipes when I’m vacationing and away from my kitchen. I will definitely try, yet, another fabulous HBH recipe when I arrive home. Keep them coming!
Awe thanks so much Kate!! xTieghan
What can you use to substitute corn flakes ?
Hi there,
You could use Panko or almond flour in place of the corn flakes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
That sauce seems so delicious!!
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com
It’s pretty delicious!!
Can you think of a vegan substitute for the eggs to coat the cauliflower in?
Hi Kate,
You could try using a dairy free milk and see how that works for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Is there anything I can use in substitution of the corn flakes for breading?
Hi Nicky,
Almond flour will work well for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I’m doing keto. Do you think this would taste good with coconut flour? Thank you!
Hi Jules,
Sorry, I don’t think coconut flour would be your best option, maybe try almond flour. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Maybe give Nutcrumbs a try. I use their product in place of breadcrumbs all the time.
Sounds delicious! I want to try with almond flour. Do you think it would work ok
Hey Amber, I would try rice flower, unless you are on Keto.
I’m not keto but I do as low carb as possible. Usually my go to is almond flour it’s so good. But thank you !
Hi Amber,
Yes, almond flour will work for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan