Appetizer Recipes

Bbq Cauliflower Wings

My Vegan Beer Battered BBQ Cauliflower Wings are perfect for game day but also make for an incredible shared appetizer,…

  • Ready 40 minutes
  • Serves 4
  • Prep 15 minutes
  • Cook 30 minutes
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Bbq Cauliflower Wings

Get ready for the perfect vegan game day snack! BBQ Cauliflower Wings – saucy, crispy,  and crunchy on the outside, with the perfect juicy and soft interior. Trust me, you won’t be able to stop eating these Baked Cauliflower Wings!

Cauliflower is one of my secret weapons when it comes to making snacks, appetizers, and game day food! There are endless ways to turn it into something addictive and I love how the florets take on a “meat-like” quality when you prepare them in certain ways. I’ve prepared cauliflower in every way imaginable but battered in a beer batter and baked until crisp and golden, then covered in a finger-licking-good spicy bbq sauce might be one of my most favorite ways.

Who can say no to a big platter of gloriously golden crunchy cauliflower bites drenched in hot bbq sauce? Not me

beer battered bbq cauliflower wings served with a piece of grilled corn on the cob

Our BBQ Baked Cauliflower Wings are first coated in a spiced gluten-free beer batter made from rice flour and tapioca starch then baked, coated in spicy bbq sauce and baked again! And there you have it – one of the most delicious vegan appetizers or party snacks I’ve ever tasted!

Guys, I know you will love these Cauliflower Wings! No need to fry them – they crisp up nicely in the oven! The ingredients couldn’t be easier and the spice level can be adapted to your taste.

baked bbq cauliflower wings sprinkled with chopped green onion

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Ingredients:

  • cauliflower florets – I find 1 small head of cauliflower is the perfect amount
  • the batter is made with a mix of rice flour and tapioca starch or corn starch
  • we season the batter with salt, garlic powder,  black pepper, and bbq seasoning
  • baking powder makes for extra crispiness
  • beer adds body and lightness to the batter
  • a small amount of oil is necessary as we don’t fry but bake these
  • we toss our breaded baked wings in a mix bbq sauce and hot sauce for that finger-licking sweet & spicy finish
  • Sub some of the cauliflower with firm tofu, rehydrated soy curls, or seitan for added protein.
ingredients needed for making baked beer battered bbq cauliflower wings

Tips & Substitutions:

  • you can leave a little bit of the stem on the cauliflower florets. It makes for a pretty presentation and it gives you a neat little handle for picking up and eating! Plus, less food waste
  • if you don’t have rice flour, you can use all-purpose flour. I just prefer rice flour because it makes it really crunchy
  • you can use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or mix some curry powder, bbq seasoning, or Cajun spice into ketchup
  • you can use club soda instead of beer
  • if you don’t have bbq seasoning, you can blend 1 teaspoon paprika, with 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon each of oregano, thyme, and parsley

How to make Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings:

dry ingredients for vegan beer batter in a white bowl

In a bowl, add in all the dry ingredients and mix well.

vegan beer batter being mixed in a small white bowl

Then add in the beer and 1 teaspoon oil to make the batter. The batter should not be too thin. If it is not thick enough, you can add in a teaspoon or more rice flour.

beer batter for vegan cauliflower wings in a small white bowl

Once the batter is smooth, add in the cauliflower and toss well to coat.

cauliflower florets being tossed in spiced beer batter to make vegan wings

Once the cauliflower is completely coated, transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit(220c )  for 25 minutes.

vegan cauliflower wings ready for baking

Check at 21 or 22 minutes to see if the cauliflower is done and is tender inside. If it is, then you can remove the cauliflower.

baked breaded cauliflower wings on a baking sheet

Add bbq sauce and hot sauce in a shallow bowl and mix.

hot sauce and bbq sauce being mixed in a small dish

Add the cauliflower to the bowl where you mixed the bbq sauce and hot sauce and toss well to coat

beer battered baked cauliflower wings being tossed in hot sauce and bbq sauce

Transfer the cauliflower back on the baking sheet and bake for another 5-7 minutes.

baked cauliflower wings being tossed in a small bowl with spicy bbq sauce

Serve hot. Garnish with some green onions and serve with ranch if desired

cauliflower wings on a baking sheet

How to store leftovers:

Should you have leftover BBQ Cauliflower Wings you can keep them in a covered container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The best way to reheat them is in the oven until warm. For convenience, you could use a microwave but it will mess with the texture a bit.

vegan baked beet battered cauliflower wings coated in bbq sauce served on a white plate with corn on the cob

Recipe

Beer Battered BBQ Cauliflower Wings

My Vegan Gluten-free Beer Battered BBQ Cauliflower Wings are perfect for game day but also make for an incredible shared appetizer, side dish or even a fun dinner party menu item.

  • Serves 4
  • Prep 15 minutes
  • Cook 30 minutes
  • Total 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the batter:

  • 1/2 cup rice flour
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca starch (or corn starch)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons bbq seasoning (or use 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon each of oregano, thyme, and parsley)
  • 1/2 cup of beer or use neutral club soda (or use water)
  • 1 tsp oil

For the cauliflower:

  • 4 cups cauliflower florets (or 1 small head of cauliflower chopped into florets)
  • 1/2 cup bbq sauce (or more)
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix well. Then add in the beer and 1 teaspoon oil to make the batter. The batter should be not be too thin. If it is not thick enough, you can add in a teaspoon or more of rice flour.

  2. 2

    Once the batter is smooth, add in the cauliflower and toss well to coat.

  3. 3

    Once the cauliflower is completely coated, transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit(220c) for 25 minutes.

  4. 4

    Check at 21 or 22 minutes to see if the cauliflower is done and is tender inside. If it is, then you can remove the cauliflower.

  5. 5

    Add bbq sauce and hot sauce to a shallow bowl and mix.

  6. 6

    Add the cauliflower to the bowl where you mixed the bbq sauce and hot sauce and toss well to coat.

  7. 7

    Transfer the cauliflower back onto the baking sheet and bake for another 5-7 minutes.

  8. 8

    Serve hot. Garnish with some green onions and serve with ranch if desired

Notes

if you don't have rice flour, you can use all-purpose flour. I just prefer rice flour because it makes the cauliflower bites really crunchy you can use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or mix some curry powder, bbq seasoning or Cajun spice into ketchup you can use club soda or water instead of beer if you don't have bbq seasoning, you can blend 1 teaspoon paprika, with 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon each of oregano, thyme, and parsley

Nutrition

  • Calories204 kcal
  • Carbohydrates42 g
  • Protein4 g
  • Fat2 g
  • Saturated Fat1 g
  • Sodium598 mg
  • Potassium482 mg
  • Fiber3 g
  • Sugar14 g
  • Vitamin A150 IU
  • Vitamin C50 mg
  • Calcium85 mg
  • Iron2 mg