Craving a mind-blowing appetizer that's both healthy and incredibly delicious? Get ready to revolutionize your snack game with these irresistible Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings! Imagine crispy, golden-brown cauliflower florets drenched in tangy BBQ sauce that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're a vegetarian, looking to cut down on meat, or simply want a crowd-pleasing dish that's packed with flavor, these cauliflower wings are about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the cauliflower by cutting it into bite-sized florets. Make sure they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.
- Gradually add 1 cup of water to the dry mixture, whisking continuously until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off before placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Arrange the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other for even baking.
- Bake the cauliflower wings in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- While the cauliflower is baking, prepare the BBQ sauce. You can use store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own if you prefer. If making your own, combine your favorite ingredients such as ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices in a saucepan and heat until combined.
- Once the cauliflower wings are done baking, remove them from the oven and toss them in a bowl with 1 cup of BBQ sauce, ensuring that each wing is evenly coated.
- Return the coated cauliflower wings to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the BBQ sauce to caramelize slightly.
- After 5 minutes, remove the wings from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help them crisp up a bit more.
- Serve the baked BBQ cauliflower wings hot with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside celery and carrot sticks for a complete appetizer or snack.
Tips
- Size Matters: Cut your cauliflower florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
- Batter Consistency is Key: Whisk your batter until it's smooth, similar to pancake batter, to get a perfect coating that sticks to the cauliflower.
- Don't Overcrowd: Arrange florets in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they're not touching. This helps them crisp up instead of steaming.
- Flip Midway: Turning the cauliflower wings halfway through baking ensures they get golden and crispy on all sides.
- Sauce with Care: Toss the wings in BBQ sauce just before the final bake to prevent sogginess and allow the sauce to caramelize.
- Let Them Rest: Allow the wings to cool for a few minutes after baking to help them firm up and become extra crispy.
- Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to experiment with different BBQ sauces or make your own to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
