BBQ Cauliflower Wings are perfectly crispy, baked (not fried), and made with only 8 ingredients. These vegan wings are a great meatless alternative to traditional wings.
These aren’t your average BBQ cauliflower wings. They’re finger-licking-good, party-worthy vegan wings!
They bake up sweet and sticky with a crispy breadcrumb crunch.
These BBQ cauliflower wings are definitely a crowd pleaser and a game day favorite. And with a mild BBQ flavor, even the littlest sports fan won't be able to keep their hands off the wings.
Ingredients Notes
Just 8 simple ingredients are needed to make this recipe! (full ingredients amounts in the recipe card below)
Ingredients notes and substitutes
- Cauliflower. The batter will accommodate a rather large cauliflower head so don’t be shy when picking one out.
- Flour. All purpose flour is the best choice for the batter. Gluten-free flour can also be used.
- Breadcrumbs. I use plain breadcrumbs, but seasoned or even panko breadcrumbs are also an option. (use gf breadcrumbs if needed)
- BBQ Sauce. Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce. It can be sweet, spicy, smoky, etc. There is no right or wrong BBQ sauce to use. Any brand and any flavor will do!
How do you cut a cauliflower for BBQ Cauliflower Wings?
A head of cauliflower may seem intimidating to cut, but it's actually very easy.
Start by flipping the cauliflower upside down and pulling off any green leaves. This will expose --what I like to call-- the cauliflower "trunk".
Keeping the cauliflower upside down, you can see where the florets are attached to the trunk. Slip your knife in there and cut each floret off the trunk.
From there, cut any large florets in half or thirds.
If you're a visual person, this video HERE is super helpful and will walk you through cutting a cauliflower!
Instructions
These BBQ Cauliflower Wings are super easy to make.
Step 1. In a bowl large enough to fit all the cauliflower, whisk together the batter ingredients.
Step 2. Add all the cauliflower florets to the bowl of batter.
Step 3. Use a spatula, wooden spoon, or your hands to toss the batter and cauliflower florets together until coated.
Step 4. Now it’s time to cover the battered wings in breadcrumbs for a desired crispy texture. Use one hand to handle the battered cauliflower and the other hand to toss it in breadcrumbs.
Step 5. As you finish breading the wings, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 6. Bake until outside becomes browned and crispy.
Step 7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush all sides of each wing with BBQ sauce.
Step 8. Bake them once more so they crisp back up and the BBQ sauce caramelizes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this classic party snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
If you're looking to be game day ready, then pair these wings with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and an ice-cold beverage.
Or, try these BBQ cauliflower wings with my cheesy ranch dressing from this chickpea taco recipe. It’s made from soaked cashews and my go-to dip for these vegan wings.
You won’t regret it, I promise!
Recipe FAQ’s
You definitely aren't going to fool anyone into thinking these are chicken. However, the taste is just as amazing as traditional wings.
The cauliflower bakes up tender while the breadcrumb coating creates a crispy outside. And the BBQ sauce makes these vegan wings sweet, sticky, and irresistible.
The breadcrumbs give the BBQ cauliflower wings a crispy coating. And baking them twice keeps the outside crispy.
Sure! Place them single layer and spaced apart. Cook in multiple batches, if needed.
Expert Tips
- Tap off any excess batter before rolling the cauliflower wings in the breadcrumbs. A light coating of batter on the cauliflower florets is best.
- Brush on the BBQ sauce rather than submerging the wings in it. This will help the wings stay crispy.
- For spicy wings, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the batter. or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Save leftover wings in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat them in the toaster oven, or conventional oven, at 350ºF for 5-10 minutes or until heated throughout.
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BBQ Cauliflower Wings
BBQ Cauliflower wings are an excellent party appetizer. They’re perfectly crispy, baked (not fried), easy to make, and pair great with a cold beverage.
Ingredients
Wings
- 1 large cauliflower head, cut into florets
- 1 and 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
- 1 and 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
Batter
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/3 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, add the breadcrumbs to a deep plate
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry batter ingredients --flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Pour in the water and whisk until well combined. The batter should be thick yet still pourable. If it seems too thick, add a bit more water.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl of batter. Gently fold them in until they are lightly covered in batter.
- Working with 1-2 florets at a time, tap off any excess batter. Place in the breadcrumbs and roll around until coated.
- Transfer the breaded wings to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 450ºF for 20-25 minutes or until they begin to brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven and brush each wing with BBQ sauce covering all sides.
- Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes to crisp the wings back up.
- Serve with homemade ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Any kind of breadcrumb will work.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 211Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 399mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 6gSugar: 14gProtein: 7g
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
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