Cauliflower Wings Recipe: A Meat-Free Alternative to Chicken Wings

Buffalo wings are a non-negotiable this time of year. They’re perfect for game-day treats, tailgating meets, and late-night eats. Don’t forget that you can actually serve them for a dinner appetizer or an after-school snack, too. However, whether you’re trying to cut back on meat consumption as a family, hope to incorporate vegetables into your diet, or have a family member who is (or you are) a vegetarian, chicken wings won’t always fit the bill. What’s a home cook who needs to get dinner on the table to do it that case? Turn to our new side-dish obsession: Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings.” These wonderful “wings” are loaded with all the crispy, saucy, zesty flavors of buffalo wings with none of the actual meat. They come together in a snap with a few of your favorite ingredients.

Just take six large cups of cauliflower florets, about three inches each, cut in half. Or if you're running short on time or patience, buy them already cut into florets in your refrigerated produce section or the precut vegetable section of the grocery store salad bar. Then, prepare a foil-lined tray with baking spray and mix your favorite buffalo wing sauce and KRAFT Mayo with Olive Oil Reduced Fat Mayonnaise to make a creamy coating. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce bowl and mix until the florets are all evenly coated with the sauce, tumble the cauliflower onto the baking sheet, and bake in an oven preheated to 400°F until tender. Be sure to toss the cauliflower halfway through baking so every piece gets cooked evenly.

While the cauliflower bakes, mix blue cheese crumbles with creamy ranch dressing. When the cauliflower is piping hot and ready to eat, dunk it in the cool dressing for a treat that won’t have you missing the meat.

Celery sticks, strips of raw bell peppers, and sliced cucumbers are all delicious foils for the rich blue cheese dressing and fiery cauliflower bites. Though these are delicious as is, it would also be great in a sandwich bun or topping a pizza with a drizzle of the dressing.

Eating hot wings never looked so darn cool.