BBQ Cauliflower Wings Recipe

ByRita Bennet
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Introduction

These BBQ Cauliflower Wings are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional chicken wings. Crispy, flavorful, and tossed in tangy barbecue sauce, they’re perfect for game day or a tasty snack.

A white speckled plate holds a pile of about ten baked or fried chicken wings, each covered in a rich reddish-orange sauce with a slightly glossy texture, showing bits of seasoning and spices. The wings have a mix of drumette and flat shapes, with some layering piled casually on top of each other in the center of the plate. On the side of the plate, stainless steel tongs rest, partly beneath the chicken, with the holes in their grip section visible. In the background, there are two white speckled bowls, one filled with a light creamy dipping sauce and the other appearing empty or lightly filled, and a metallic cup with a reddish drink inside, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • ½ head of cauliflower
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup plain plant-based milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Vegan ranch, for serving

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
  2. Step 2: Cut the cauliflower into thin strips about ½ inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together flour, plant-based milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, and liquid smoke until smooth. Dip each cauliflower strip into the batter, coating it completely.
  4. Step 4: Arrange the coated cauliflower pieces on a non-stick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes.
  5. Step 5: While the cauliflower bakes, warm the BBQ sauce in a saucepan over low heat.
  6. Step 6: Remove the cauliflower from the oven and dip each piece in the warm BBQ sauce. Place the coated pieces back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  7. Step 7: Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce or vegan ranch for dipping.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crispiness, broil the wings for 1-2 minutes after the final bake, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • Add smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the batter for a smoky or spicy kick.
  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce to customize the flavor, whether sweet, spicy, or tangy.
  • If liquid smoke is unavailable, a small amount of smoked paprika can add a smoky flavor.

Storage

Store leftover cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or toaster oven at 375 degrees F until warmed through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it may make them soggy.

How to Serve

A round white speckled plate holds a pile of about twelve chicken wings coated in a deep orange-red sauce with a glossy, slightly thick texture. The wings show some charred spots, adding darker brown and black highlights. A pair of metal tongs grips one wing at the bottom left side of the plate, lifting it slightly. Above, there are two white speckled bowls, one with a creamy beige sauce and the other with a smooth bright orange sauce. On the top right, there is a smaller white speckled plate with a single chicken wing coated in the same orange-red sauce. The setting rests on a white marbled surface with a folded light grey cloth near the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of plant-based milk?

Yes, you can substitute regular dairy milk if you are not avoiding animal products. The recipe will still work well.

Can I make these wings gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make this recipe gluten-free.

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BBQ Cauliflower Wings Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

These BBQ Cauliflower Wings are a delicious, plant-based twist on classic chicken wings. Crispy, flavorful cauliflower strips are coated in a savory batter and baked to perfection before being generously dipped in smoky BBQ sauce. Served with vegan ranch, they make a perfect appetizer or snack for vegan and vegetarian diets.

  • Author: Rita
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower Wings

  • ½ head of cauliflower
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup plain plant-based milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Vegan ranch dressing, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C) to prepare for baking the cauliflower wings.
  2. Cut cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into thin strips approximately ½ inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long to resemble wing shapes.
  3. Prepare batter. In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, plant-based milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, and optional liquid smoke until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
  4. Coat cauliflower. Dip each cauliflower strip into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated for a crispy texture after baking.
  5. Bake first stage. Arrange the coated cauliflower strips on a non-stick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes until they begin to firm up and slightly crisp.
  6. Heat BBQ sauce. While the cauliflower is baking, warm the BBQ sauce in a saucepan on low heat to make dipping easier and enhance flavor.
  7. Coat with BBQ sauce. Remove the cauliflower from the oven, dip each piece into the warm BBQ sauce until well-coated, then return them to the baking sheet.
  8. Bake second stage. Bake the BBQ-coated cauliflower strips for an additional 5 minutes to set the sauce and add extra caramelization.
  9. Serve. Serve the BBQ cauliflower wings hot with extra BBQ sauce and vegan ranch dressing for dipping. Enjoy immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Liquid smoke is optional but adds a smoky depth similar to traditional BBQ flavor.
  • Use gluten-free flour if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Adjust baking time according to your oven, keeping an eye to avoid burning the batter.
  • For extra crispiness, try broiling for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  • These wings reheat well in the oven or air fryer to regain crispness.

Keywords: BBQ cauliflower wings, vegan wings, plant-based appetizer, vegan BBQ, cauliflower recipes

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