Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe (2024)

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Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce! Tons of flavor and a little kick... this low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb veggie that will satisfy the pickiest of eaters.

It's so delicious you'll forget it's good for you!

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe (1)

Last week we spent a few days with my nephew and his family in Kentucky. He’s always been and will always be my sweetie - no matter how old he gets.? I’m not sure why we have such a special connection, other than God knows what we need before we do and He loves to give good gifts to us. Yes – my sweet nephew Nathan is a gift.? I’ve always told him that. His name actually means “gift from God.”🙏

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I think it all started when he was a toddler and I was a teenager. His family lived in New York State and we would see them a few times a year. He was a huge WWF wrestling fan from a very young age. One time early on they came to visit, and we would “wrestle” together, WWF-style. Basically I would fall on the ground, he would pin me (I use that term loosely), and then count to 3. Then we would do it over and over again. Yep – hook, line and sinker… I won his heart and he won mine.?

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He was such a sweet little guy – always smiling or laughing, full of joy. My sister would tell me stories of him wearing a pair of jeans I bought him every day. He wouldn’t take them off; he even slept in them. She would have to wait for him to go to sleep to even wash them!

He would also carry my picture with him wherever he would go. He would show it to random strangers in the grocery store and tell them "this is the one I love." Swoonapooloza!? Like I said – we had a connection.

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Twenty some years later we’re still best buds living many miles apart. He’s still my sweetie… laid back, kind-hearted, thoughtful, crazy smart, and so much fun to be around. We have a lot of the same thoughts and tendencies. So much so we wonder if we were possibly twins separated at birth, then distanced by time warp.?

Although we don’t see each other that often I couldn’t be more proud of the man, husband, and father he has become. And yes – there’s a new little sweetie running around.? His name is Jude, and he is pretty dreamy.? He’s one-year old and he walks, runs, reads books (well sort of), loves to dance to Meghan Trainor, and loves to tickle.?

All of the sudden he’s at your side with a huge grin, you feel those little fingers on your arm, and you hear that sweet little voice say “tickle, tickle, tickle.” With perfect articulation. I can’t even. Cuteness overload. Clearly I have no words. At least coherent ones.

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I’ll admit, I didn’t know my heart had the capacity to love this much. I’m probably just describing feelings and adorableness all you moms, dads and grandparents experience everyday. Be grateful my friend, it is a gift.❤️

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Lest you think Nathan and Jude are the only precious cherubs in this equation, there is one more. Kayla Shay, KK, Kay Shay, Shaybird, Shayzer (we could be here all day), Kayla is the baby momma in this equation and she is truly special.

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She’s the perfect copilot for Nathan, the perfect momma for Jude, and the perfect person to marry into our family. She is absolutely delightful!? She’s sweet, kind, strong, generous and competitive. And oh yes, the Shayzer don't play: girl had a basketball and softball scholarship for 2 years (full ride), and she’s about 3 classes away from finishing her Master’s. She’s a coach, teacher and one amazing baker.? Trust me I got to sample her chocolate, peanut butter, peanut M&M, oatmeal, Unicorn Cookies! #whydontwelivecloser

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Sorry for all this sappy reflection – my people make me weak in the knees. I should have warned you 10 paragraphs ago. #SAPFEST2016

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While we were all sitting around watching sweetie #2 be adorable, we had lots time for catching up and meaningful conversation. And it’s a good thing because today’s recipe was a direct result (you just never know where or when inspiration will strike).

While we were discussing the presidential election, where we should eat dinner, how it was possible for Jude to be so adorable - Nathan mentioned their love of pre-packaged Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. Wait, what?? Buffalo Cauliflower!?? Umm – yes that's happening!?? You know I had to investigate.

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So in the name of market research, we found the pre-made frozen version from our grocery store. I couldn’t quite do justice to describing those flavors, but let’s just say I was certainly inspired to create my own rendition.?

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So I went to work and came up with this tasty new veggie dish – RoastedBuffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce!?? After some experiments with battered and breaded versions (that were way too soggy), I concluded that the best route was baked cauliflower seasoned with buffalo sauce anda side of blue cheese goodness… and I’ll be the first to admit it’s insanely delicious!? If you can find the 20 minutes, I promise you these cauliflower buffalo bites will knock your socks off!?

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Cauliflower is so hearty you can essentially treat it like meat. And of course we all love buffalo-flavored anything, like these ever-popular Buffalo Chicken Meatballs!✨ And what better pairing than the magical cooling properties of blue cheese sauce? To keep with the healthy buffalo veggie theme, I used low-fat Greek yogurt for the base of my cheesy dip.

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This flavorful veggie creation only takes 20 minutes to put together. First, break down the head of cauliflower into small florets.

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Whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, salt & pepper, then add the florets, stir and coat them thoroughly.

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Then roast them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.

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In the meantime, get your Buffalo and your blue cheese sauces going. For the Buffalo sauce, I used Frank’s Hot Sauce, lemon juice and a small amount of butter. If you want to make them 5-alarm hot, use Tabasco instead of Frank’s.?? For the healthier blue cheese sauce, throw together some low-fat Greek yogurt, mix in 1 ounce of melted blue cheese (crumble in more for texture), hit it with lemon juice, salt, a tablespoon of milk, and fresh chopped parsley.

When the cauliflower is finished baking, toss with the Buffalo sauce and serve.

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BOOM!? Tailgating never tasted so good!

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My gift to you -a super-healthy replacement for those hot wings - all the flavor with a fraction of the calories!

If you're looking for a great dinner plan, pair these with my amazing Parmesan crusted chicken recipe, and for even more zip add some balsamic glazed brussels sprouts too!

I would love to connect with you! Leave a comment and follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest!

Yield: 8 servings

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe (24)

Tons of flavor & a little kick; low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb veggie winner for the pickiest of eaters.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Ingredients

For The Cauliflower:

  • 1 large head of cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, for garnish

For The Buffalo Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup Frank’s RedHot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

For The Blue Cheese Sauce:

  • 5 ounces blue cheese (2 ounces for garnish)
  • ½ cup 2% fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Using a sharp knife, carefully break down the head of cauliflower into small florets.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, salt & pepper, then add the florets. Stir and coat the cauliflower thoroughly.
  4. Roast the cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 15 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, for the buffalo sauce combine Frank’s sauce, lemon juice, and butter.
  6. For the blue cheese sauce, melt 2 ounces of blue cheese in a small bowl, then combine with Greek yogurt and mix thoroughly. Add lemon juice, salt, milk, and chopped parsley, then incorporate fully. Crumble in 1 additional ounce of blue cheese for texture, and gently mix this into the sauce so the crumbles remain intact. Salt and pepper to taste.
  7. When the cauliflower is finished baking, toss with the buffalo sauce, garnish with 2 more ounces of blue cheese crumbles and chopped parsley, and serve with blue cheese sauce on the side.

Notes

If you like your Buffalo sauce really hot you could try using Tabasco sauce instead of Frank's RedHot sauce. It definitely has quite a bit more kick.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

4-6 ounces

Amount Per ServingCalories 132Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 5gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 21mgSodium 772mgCarbohydrates 2gProtein 5g

Looking for more amazing veggie ideas? Try these!

Roasted Parmesan Broccoli:

Smashed Potatoes:

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with buffalo cauliflower? ›

The best side dishes to serve with buffalo cauliflower are coleslaw, spinach artichoke dip, chicken wings, cheese curds, fried shrimp, blooming onion, garlic bread, sweet potato fries, Greek salad, cucumber salad, baked mac and cheese, grilled vegetables, and cornbread.

Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy? ›

Roasted Cauliflower Cooking Prep

First, grab a baking tray large enough for the cauliflower to sit in a single layer. Overcrowding the baking tray will result in mushy and not evenly cooked cauliflower. Choosing a proper cooking fat ensures roasted cauliflower goodness.

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? ›

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? If your buffalo cauliflower bites are soggy, it's likely because they were not tossed with the sauce while hot. Be sure to add them to the bowl with the sauce as soon as they come out of the oven so that they stay nice and crispy.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Is buffalo cauliflower healthier than wings? ›

The good news is that you can keep your heart healthy, without missing out on any of the fun—or flavor—on Super Bowl Sunday by opting for buffalo cauliflower wings instead. Unlike chicken wings, cauliflower is free of cholesterol and low in fat and saturated fat.

Why does cauliflower cheese go watery in the oven? ›

Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

Why does my cauliflower cheese sauce separate? ›

Cooking the cauliflower cheese at too high a temperature can sometimes cause the cheese to split, resulting in a slightly oily, grainy texture. A split sauce can also be avoided by removing the sauce from the heat before adding the cheese.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

Why does cooked cauliflower hurt my stomach? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

The key to nonmushy cauliflower lies in how you cut it: Break apart the large head into smaller florets. Now take your knife, and starting at the stem end of the floret, slice about halfway down and snap apart.

Why does my cauliflower taste weird? ›

Bitter tasting cauliflower can be caused by too much heat or sun. It can also taste bitter from a lack of moisture, uneven watering, waiting too long to harvest, or overcooking.

Can you cook cauliflower too long? ›

Overcooking It

It should cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes and when you're heating it up on a pan it should be about 2-3 minutes. Keeping riced cauliflower on a pan longer than that will start make it turn too crumbly and wreck the texture.

What pairs well with cauliflower? ›

Anchovy, beef, blue cheese, buffalo mozzarella, butter, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, curry, farro, feta cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, pork, quinoa, rice, saffron, tahini, tofu, turkey, turmeric, yoghurt.

What flavors pair well with Buffalo? ›

Buffalo wings are traditionally served hot, along with celery sticks and carrot sticks with blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for dipping. It is a bold, spicy flavor that works well with the cooling and smooth texture of the ranch dressing or bleu cheese.

What to avoid when buying cauliflower? ›

Avoid cauliflower with small brown specks on the florets; they are a sign of aging. The size of the cauliflower head does not affect its quality. Keep raw cauliflower in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, for three to five days.

What do you eat with buffalo sauce? ›

6 Ways To Use Buffalo Hot Sauce
  • Buffalo Wings. It had to be. ...
  • Mac and Cheese. Spice up your mac and cheese with a few creamy, tangy dollops of Buffalo Hot Sauce. ...
  • Grilled Cheese. Another cheese-packed suggestion... ...
  • Cauliflower Wings. ...
  • Hot Dogs. ...
  • Chicken Wraps.

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