Cauliflower Queen is back again with another cauliflower recipe! Let me tell you, these BBQ cauliflower wings are LIT! They’re saucy, crispy, crunchy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. You’ll love them for game night, party appetizers, or even for a weeknight dinner as a side dish or vegan main.
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Cauliflower Wings
A party favourite. Whether it’s a game day get-together or just an impromptu gathering of friends, these BBQ cauliflower wings are guaranteed to be a hit! Irresistible BBQ flavour. Sweet, smoky, and a little bit spicy, there’s something about BBQ sauce that makes it impossible to resist. Baked, not fried. Cauliflower wings are popping up at restaurants everywhere lately and I love that—but they’re almost always deep-fried! These BBQ cauliflower wings keep it light and healthy with an easy baking method.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
Cauliflower – I used a medium cauliflower; if you use a larger one, you may want to double the rest of the ingredients in the recipe. Flour Cornstarch Vegan milk – Any kind will work, but I suggest a thicker one like soy milk or cashew milk. Seasonings – If you have a favourite combo of BBQ seasonings, feel free to add them in! Breadcrumbs – For a crispy exterior. You can swap in gluten-free panko (and gluten-free flour) if needed. BBQ Sauce – The highlight of this dish! You can use your favourite sauce (makes it so easy to prep!) or you can make my Roasted Strawberry Barbecue Sauce.
How to Make BBQ Cauliflower Wings
Prep the cauliflower. Using a knife, remove florets from the cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into smaller pieces to resemble the size of the wings.
Make the batter. In a bowl, whisk the flour, vegan milk, sea salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder in a bowl to make the batter. If the batter is too thick, feel free to thin it out with some more milk or vice versa.
Batter the cauliflower. In a separate bowl, place the breadcrumbs. Line it up beside the batter bowl and the cauliflower (for a dredging station). Toss the cauliflower in the batter mixture (you can add them all at once), using a spatula or spoon to coat them all.
Coat with panko. Transfer the cauliflower wings to the breadcrumbs (you can do this in two or three batches) to coat completely.
Bake. Place onto the baking sheet, giving each wing enough space. Repeat until all of the wings are coated. Bake for 22 minutes. Remove from oven.
Add the sauce. Toss the wings in the sauce (I like to use a spatula to move them around to get properly coated) then using tongs or a spoon, remove and place back on the baking sheet OR brush the BBQ sauce onto each wing. Bake for another 5 minutes for the sauce to soak into the wings. Serve. Remove from the oven and garnish with scallions. Serve immediately.
Tips for Success
Cut the right size. When you’re cutting the cauliflower off of the stem, don’t make them too small. Think: hand held wing-like pieces! You can even leave a bit of stem on at the end to hold on to! Streamline the process. You don’t have to dip each cauliflower wing in individually (like I used to in the past). Like in the video, you can just toss them all at once. It saves SO much time and energy (and you get to eat them faster)! Make sure the sauce is the right consistency. If you have a very thick BBQ sauce, thin it out a bit with some water. Leave out the cornstarch if you have to. If you can’t have it or don’t want to use it, you can skip the cornstarch. But it does make the cauliflower extra crispy and crunchy by drawing out any excess liquid. Use a silicone baking mat. I highly recommend using a silicone baking sheet for this. Nothing sticks to it, and it’s so easy to clean!
How to Store Leftovers
Keep leftover BBQ cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or a 400ºF oven until warmed through.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
You can freeze BBQ cauliflower wings, although they won’t be quite as crispy when reheated. If this doesn’t bother you, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. For even reheating, I recommend thawing them in the refrigerator first.
More Cauliflower Wing Recipes
Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Wings Mango Habanero Cauliflower Wings Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Bang Bang Cauliflower Wings Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Wings Sweet and Sour Cauliflower Wings
Enjoy friends! If you make this BBQ Cauliflower Wings, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
