Ingredients:
For the Cauliflower Bites:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (optional for extra crispiness)
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or your favorite low-carb hot sauce)
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Chopped green onions
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing (for dipping, optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare the Cauliflower:
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, making sure they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil until they are well-coated.
3. Coat the Cauliflower:
- In another bowl, combine the almond flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder (if using).
- Add the seasoned flour mixture to the oiled cauliflower florets and toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated.
4. Bake the Cauliflower:
- Spread the coated cauliflower florets out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown, flipping the florets halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
5. Make the Buffalo Sauce:
- While the cauliflower is baking, prepare the buffalo sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add the hot sauce, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes, then remove from heat.
6. Coat the Cauliflower in Buffalo Sauce:
- Once the cauliflower is done baking and is crispy, remove it from the oven.
- Place the baked cauliflower into a large bowl and pour the buffalo sauce over it. Toss gently to coat all the pieces in the sauce.
7. Serve:
- Transfer the buffalo cauliflower bites to a serving dish.
- Garnish with chopped green onions, and serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping (if desired).
Tips:
- Extra Crispy: If you like your cauliflower bites extra crispy, you can bake them a little longer or even air fry them for the last few minutes.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce depending on your preferred spice level. If you like a milder version, you can reduce the hot sauce and add a little more butter.
- Make-Ahead: These buffalo cauliflower bites are great for meal prep. You can prepare them ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just reheat in the oven to bring back their crispiness.
Nutritional Information (per serving, makes 4 servings):
- Calories: ~180
- Carbs: ~7g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Net Carbs: ~4g
- Fat: ~14g
- Protein: ~5g
These Keto Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are the perfect combination of spicy, crispy, and savory, without all the carbs. They make a fantastic appetizer, snack, or side dish for your keto meals. Enjoy!
