5best2buy
The Recipe · No.658 · Cauliflower Wings

Cauliflower Wings, and where to source them

Cauliflower Wings — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Cauliflower Wings American 5best2buy.com

The trick to a wing that stays crisp under sauce is baking the battered florets until firm before they ever meet the hot sauce, and saucing only right before serving. A thin batter that coats but doesn't clump is what gives you crunch instead of gummy edges.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
All-purpose flour
The base of the batter that crisps in the oven; whisk it smooth with water and spices.
3/4 cup
Source it →
Buffalo hot sauce
The classic vinegary cayenne sauce that defines the wing; melt butter into it for gloss.
1/2 cup
Source it →
Butter
Whisked into the hot sauce so it clings and glosses instead of running off.
3 tbsp
Source it →
Garlic powder and paprika
Season the batter so the crust isn't bland.
1 tsp each
Source it →
Panko breadcrumbs
A coat of panko over the batter adds the crunch baking alone can't.
1 cup
Source it →
Cauliflower
Cut into even bite-sized florets so they crisp at the same rate.
1 large head
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Sheet pan
The Method
  1. Batter and coatWhisk flour, spices, and water into a pancake-thin batter, dip each floret, then press into panko.
  2. Bake crispArrange on a rack over a sheet pan and bake at 450F for 25 minutes, flipping once, until firm and golden.
  3. Sauce and finishWhisk melted butter into the hot sauce, toss the baked florets to coat, and return to the oven 5 minutes so the sauce sets.
The Toolkit

Wire rack · Sheet pan · Mixing bowls · Whisk · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Cauliflower Wings in an air fryer? — Not really

Not really — loose batter spreads and needs a flat, hot surface. Keep this one on the stovetop or griddle.

Can you freeze Cauliflower Wings? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Cauliflower Wings ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Cauliflower Wings gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Cauliflower Wings vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More American recipes
Vegetarian ChiliPortobello BurgerCincinnati ChiliChicago Hot DogJuicy LucyBaked Alaska
All American recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.658

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →