BBQ Cauliflower Wings [Gluten-Free]
BBQ Cauliflower Wings [Gluten-Free]
Make extra-crispy, just-spicy-enough BBQ Cauliflower Wings [Gluten-Free] with a homemade barbecue sauce that has a delicious Srirahca-honey flavor and a crisp gluten-free crumb coating. The perfect vegetarian and gluten free appetizer.
Football season is around the corner. And whether that means you'll be watching a game every Sunday afternoon or not, it's never a bad time to add some tasty appetizers to your repertoire. These crispy and spicy baked BBQ cauliflower wings are so packed with flavor, they're a favorite among vegans and meat eaters alike.
How to Make the Crispiest Baked Cauliflower Wings
The best part about any wings is the crispy coating. And this meat-free version does not disappoint. To make the breaded cauliflower wings, you'll need:
- Cauliflower. Cut the head into even-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Bread crumbs. You can make your own gluten-free breadcrumbs. See how in the notes below the recipe!
- Gluten-free flour. Regular all-purpose flour also works.
- BBQ sauce. See how to make your own spicy honey-sweetened BBQ sauce below!
- Honey. For vegan wings, use agave or maple syrup.
- Garlic powder. Fresh minced or grated garlic also works.
- Smoked paprika. For extra smoky flavor.
- Red pepper flakes. Use as much or as little spice as you like.
- Dried parsley. For a nice herby garnish.
The Best BBQ Sauce for Wings
These crispy cauliflower wings are coated in a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce that's easy to make in one pan on the stove. You'll need:
- Tomato sauce
- Balsamic vinegar. For a bit of sweetness and acidity
- Agave. Honey also works.
- Sriracha. Use more or less to meet your spice preference.
- Maple syrup. Or use more agave/honey.
- Red pepper flakes
- Ground mustard. This is found in the spice aisle.
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
What to Serve with BBQ Cauliflower Wings
To serve these sweet little bites, I recommend enjoying them fresh out of the oven. You can serve them as a vegetarian or vegan appetizer with forks and napkins. They’re delicious with a side of ranch dressing.
Or turn these bbq cauliflower wings into a savory and saucy salad topper! You can also incorporate the bbq cauliflower unto pasta, on tacos, top homemade pizza or make a vegetarian grain bowl with cauliflower and beans.
You can also enjoy your own homemade dressing/sauce like this Lemon garlic dressing or simple garlic dressing----that's such a delicious touch.
Tricks to The Crispiest Cauliflower Wings
To make sure your wings get as crispy as possible, follow these simple tips:
- Make sure each wing has plenty of space on the baking sheet. The airflow helps things crisp up.
- Make sure you're using fresh, not soggy or stale, breadcrumbs.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Let the wings cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving them.
How to Make Crispy BBQ Cauliflower Wings
When it comes to making these crispy buffalo cauliflower wings, the process is fairly simple and easy! You'll need to:
Part 1: Make the batter. This done by combining the milk, flour, and seasonings (salt, black pepper, smoked paprika. parsley, garlic powder, and basil) in a bowl and whisking them together until combined and smooth.
Part 2: Make the coating. Simply add the breadcrumbs in a bowl. Feel free to season this coating with the same seasonings as the batter for extra flavor!
Part 3: Make the BBQ sauce. This is an easy recipe for bbq sauce and can be adjusted to be more sweet or less. Wallah!
Part 4: Add sauce to cauliflower. Toss your baked and crispy cauliflower wings into the sauce over the stovetop (or in the oven to be baked on) and you're all set!
How Long to Bake Cauliflower Wings
The baking time will vary depending on your oven. Check the wings after 20 minutes, to make sure they're nice and crunchy but not burning. If necessary, pop the wings under the broiler for 5 to 10 minutes for an extra crispy crust.
How to Make Crispy BBQ Cauliflower Wings in an Air Fryer
You'll follow all of the steps to coating the cauliflower and place them in your air fryer for 20 minutes or so at 390 degrees and flipping them halfway through to ensure that they crisp perfectly on both sides. Then top with bbq sauce and keep them in for another 3-4 minutes.
How to Make Homemade Breadcrumbs
To make your own breadcrumbs, simply grind 1-2 cups of cubed bread into a food processor until finely chopped. Place crumbs onto a parchment lined baking sheet and spread out evenly.
Bake for 5-6 minutes in the oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. Once brown + crisp, remove from oven and let cool. Continue recipe steps and store remaining breadcrumbs in a tightly sealed container.
Breadcrumbs vs. Panko
The difference between panko and breadcrumbs is mostly about where they come from. Panko are Japanese-style bread crumbs. they have a lighter, flakier texture. You can certainly use panko, including gluten-free panko, to bread your cauliflower wings.
More Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes
- Baked Sticky Orange Cauliflower + Quinoa
- Crispy Vegan Ranch Popcorn Cauliflower Bites
- Easy Chickpea Sweet Potato Sliders + Aioli
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you make these BBQ Cauliflower Wings or any other recipe from us, be sure to tag us on Instagram at #Orchidsandsweettea so that we can share the love!
BBQ Cauliflower Wings [Gluten-Free]
Ingredients
CAULIFLOWER WINGS:
- 1 head of Cauliflower, chopped in medium chunks
- 3 cups Gluten-free bread crumbs (See Notes!)
- ¾ cup GF 1-to-1 baking flour
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey (See Notes!)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt + black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (Reduce for less spicy!)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE:
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ⅓ cup Agave
- 2 Tbsps sriracha sauce
- 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tsps ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. NOTE: Doing this step is a MUST to prevent sticking.
HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE:
- Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk together until it begins to boil. Reduce heat to low-medium and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Once thickened enough to desired consistency, remove from heat and let cool. Set aside until ready to use.
- In a medium bowl, add water, flour, ½ cup BBQ sauce, honey, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder and whisk together until fully combined. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add bread crumbs and set aside also.
- Now, dip each cauliflower into batter (shaking off any excess) and then toss into bread crumbs. Then lay each cauliflower side by side on the baking sheet (about an inch apart). Repeat until all cauliflower are coated.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and “crunchy” looking. NOTE: If not crispy enough, turn on broil and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- Once cauliflowers are crisp, remove from oven and toss them in the sauce until fully coated. Add coated cauliflower back to baking sheet and place them back in the oven (turning oven on broil) for about 5-6 minutes.
- To serve, add cauliflower bites to a salad, tacos, atop pasta, as a topping on pizza, with quinoa or rice, or by themselves with Vegan Ranch dipping sauce.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Best if consumed within the same day. Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven when ready to serve.
- HOMEMADE BREADCRUMBS: To make your own breadcrumbs, simply grind 1-2 cups of cubed bread into a food processor until finely chopped. Place crumbs onto a parchment lined baking sheet and spread out evenly. Bake for 5-6 minutes in the oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. Once brown + crisp, remove from oven and let cool. Continue recipe steps and store remaining breadcrumbs in a tightly sealed container.
- SWEETENER: For vegan option, you can always substitute honey with Agave or maple syrup.
- STORAGE (BBQ SAUCE): Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
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