BBQ Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Introduction: Cauliflower wings have become a popular alternative to traditional chicken wings, especially among those following plant-based or vegetarian diets. They’re crispy, flavorful, and have a satisfying texture that mimics chicken wings, making them a great snack, appetizer, or even a main course. The BBQ sauce gives them a smoky and tangy flavor, making them a favorite choice for gatherings, game day, or just a cozy night in.

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
2. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Begin by removing the leaves and cutting the cauliflower into even-sized florets, approximately the size of a typical chicken wing (around 1–2 inches wide). You want them large enough to hold the batter and sauce but small enough to bake evenly.
3. Set the florets aside.

Step 2: Make the Batter

1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, and baking powder. Whisk to evenly distribute the seasonings.
2. Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the plant-based milk and water. Stir to combine, ensuring the batter is smooth and has a consistency similar to pancake batter. If the batter is too thick, add a bit more water; if it’s too thin, add a bit more flour.
3. Check the batter consistency. It should coat the cauliflower florets without being too runny or too thick.

Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower Florets

1. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, coating it thoroughly on all sides. Let any excess batter drip off.
2. Place the coated florets onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out in a single layer. Make sure the florets are not touching to allow air circulation, which helps with crispiness.

Step 4: Bake the Cauliflower Wings

1. Bake the cauliflower florets in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time for even crisping.
2. Check for crispiness. The cauliflower should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. If you want an extra crispy texture, you can broil them for an additional 2–3 minutes at the end.

Step 5: Prepare the BBQ Sauce

1. Combine the BBQ sauce ingredients. In a small saucepan, combine your BBQ sauce with maple syrup (or agave nectar), apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a tablespoon of water (if needed). Stir everything together.
2. Heat the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
3. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more maple syrup for sweetness or vinegar for tanginess, depending on your preference. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more water.

Step 6: Coat the Wings in BBQ Sauce

1. Remove the cauliflower wings from the oven once they are crispy and golden brown.
2. Transfer the wings to a large bowl and pour the BBQ sauce over them. Toss them gently to coat the cauliflower florets in the sauce. You can also use a brush to apply the BBQ sauce evenly.
3. Optional: Return to the oven. For extra flavor, you can put the sauced-up wings back into the oven for an additional 5–10 minutes to allow the sauce to set and caramelize slightly. This step is optional but adds an extra layer of deliciousness.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, like ranch, blue cheese, or even extra BBQ sauce.
2. Garnish (optional): Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a burst of color and freshness.

Tips for Success:

• Cauliflower Size: Try to cut your cauliflower into evenly sized florets so they cook at the same rate. Some may cook faster than others if they are too large or too small, so aim for uniformity.
• Double Coating for Extra Crispiness: For even more crispiness, dip the cauliflower florets in the batter, bake them until they are slightly golden, then dip them in the batter again and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
• Baking vs. Frying: Baking the cauliflower wings is a healthier option compared to frying. However, if you prefer a deep-fried version, you can heat up some oil in a deep pan and fry the battered florets until crispy and golden brown.
• Spicy BBQ Sauce: If you love heat, you can add a teaspoon of hot sauce, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce to kick it up a notch.
• Gluten-Free Version: If you are gluten-sensitive or following a gluten-free diet, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure the flour blend you use works well for batters.
• Flavor Variations: Experiment with different spices in the batter, like curry powder, turmeric, or even nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

Variations and Customizations:

1. Buffalo Cauliflower Wings: For a spicy twist, swap the BBQ sauce with homemade or store-bought buffalo sauce. After baking the cauliflower florets, toss them in the buffalo sauce for that signature spicy kick.
2. Vegan Ranch Dipping Sauce: Make a simple vegan ranch by combining 1/2 cup vegan mayo, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, salt, and pepper to taste.
3. Spicy Mango BBQ Sauce: Combine BBQ sauce with mango puree, chili flakes, and a splash of lime juice to create a sweet and spicy tropical BBQ sauce. This pairs beautifully with the roasted cauliflower.
4. Cauliflower “Wings” with a Sweet and Sour Sauce: Combine equal parts ketchup, vinegar, and sugar, with a dash of soy sauce and ginger to create a tangy sweet and sour sauce for your wings.

Conclusion:

These BBQ cauliflower wings are a tasty and healthy alternative to traditional chicken wings, with a crispy coating and rich, smoky BBQ flavor. They are easy to prepare, versatile, and perfect for serving at parties, or as a weeknight meal. The recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to adjust the level of spiciness, tanginess, or sweetness in the BBQ sauce. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking for a healthier snack, these cauliflower wings are sure to satisfy your cravings!

Enjoy your homemade BBQ cauliflower wings and share them with friends and family for a fun, flavorful experience!

Yield: 4

BBQ Cauliflower Wings Recipe

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Cauliflower wings have become a popular alternative to traditional chicken wings, especially among those following plant-based or vegetarian diets. They’re crispy, flavorful, and have a satisfying texture that mimics chicken wings, making them a great snack, appetizer, or even a main course. The BBQ sauce gives them a smoky and tangy flavor, making them a favorite choice for gatherings, game day, or just a cozy night in.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1/2 cup water or non-dairy milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Prepare the cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, trying to keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.
3. Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water (or non-dairy milk), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. The batter should be smooth and thick enough to coat the cauliflower.
4. Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s well-coated, and place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for all florets.
5. Bake the cauliflower: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through. The cauliflower should become golden and crispy on the edges.
6. Add BBQ sauce: Remove the cauliflower from the oven and brush with BBQ sauce. Return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.
7. Serve: Once crispy and coated with sauce, remove from the oven. Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side and enjoy!

Notes

• Crispiness Factor:
  To get the crispiest wings, don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. If the cauliflower florets are too close together, they won’t crisp up as well. If necessary, bake them in batches.
  If you want an extra crispy texture, you can coat the cauliflower in panko breadcrumbs after dipping them in the batter.
  
• Batter Consistency:
  Make sure the batter is thick enough to coat the cauliflower without being too runny. If it's too thick, add a little more water or plant-based milk to thin it out; if too runny, add a little more flour.
  For extra flavor, feel free to experiment with different spices in the batter, such as turmeric, curry powder, or nutritional yeast.
  
• Baking vs. Air Frying:
  If you have an air fryer, you can use it instead of the oven. Set it to 375°F (190°C) and air fry the wings for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, for an even crispier result.
  For a quicker option, the air fryer is a great alternative to baking.
  
• BBQ Sauce:
  You can use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce, but making your own from scratch allows you to customize the sweetness, tang, and smokiness to your liking. If you want more heat, consider adding hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
  If the BBQ sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a tablespoon of water to achieve your preferred consistency.