A Bold, Plant-Powered Party Snack You’ll Make All Year

There are a handful of recipes that take the internet by storm because they manage to do the impossible: capture the nostalgic comfort of a childhood favorite while reinventing it for a new generation of eaters. Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings are exactly that kind of recipe — familiar, comforting, saucy, messy in the best way, and absolutely addictive. They offer all the sweet and smoky flavor you love in BBQ chicken wings but without the deep-frying and without the meat. Instead, you’re left with a tender-crisp roasted cauliflower interior and a sticky, caramelized BBQ exterior that hits every single flavor note.

This recipe has become one of the most beloved plant-forward appetizers in home kitchens, especially for people searching for meatless game-day snacks, lighter party bites, or veggie dishes that don’t feel like an obligation. Whether you’ve made baked cauliflower dishes before or you’re brand new to the world of veggie wings, this recipe is designed to give you the crispiest, most flavorful results possible — without relying on air fryers, complicated batter, or long ingredient lists.

And that’s exactly why food bloggers, home chefs, and cooking beginners all gravitate toward these wings. They’re just fun. There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a tray of beautifully browned cauliflower bites from the oven, brushing on your favorite BBQ sauce, and watching it caramelize to a glossy finish. The smell alone — warm spices, roasted florets, smoky sauce — makes it impossible to wait.

But this article is more than just a recipe. It’s a complete guide to perfecting cauliflower wings. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be able to master texture, flavor, substitutions, dipping ideas, variations, and even the science behind why cauliflower transforms so magically in the oven.

INGREDIENTS

For the Cauliflower Wings

• 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional for extra browning)

For the BBQ Glaze

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional for extra caramelization)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional for brightness)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, keeping sizes consistent for even baking.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to form a pourable batter.
4. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, allowing excess to drip off.
5. Roll coated florets in panko breadcrumbs until fully covered.
6. Arrange the cauliflower on the baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
7. Lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil for extra crispiness.
8. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
9. Remove from the oven, brush generously with BBQ sauce, and return to bake 10 more minutes.
10. For a stickier glaze, brush with additional BBQ sauce after removing from the oven.
11. Serve immediately with ranch, blue cheese, or extra BBQ sauce.

Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Crispy oven-baked cauliflower wings coated in smoky-sweet BBQ sauce for a delicious plant-based appetizer or snack.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 180

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cauliflower Wings

• 1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk dairy or nondairy
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil optional

BBQ Glaze

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup optional
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar optional

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Brush for sauce

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut cauliflower into uniform bite-size florets.
3. Whisk flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper into a smooth batter.
4. Dip each cauliflower floret into batter, letting excess drip off.
5. Coat dipped florets in panko breadcrumbs.
6. Arrange on baking sheet and drizzle optionally with olive oil.
7. Bake 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
8. Brush generously with BBQ sauce and bake an additional 10 minutes.
9. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce or dipping sauce of choice.

Notes

For extra crispiness, bake 5 additional minutes before adding BBQ sauce. Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs if needed.