These Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos are the perfect, fun weeknight dinner. Breaded cauliflower is coated, baked and, then tossed in a hot and spicy buffalo sauce. Topped with creamy ranch dressing, these tacos will remind you of your favorite appetizer. This recipe is simple and easy to make and full of big, bold flavors.
One of the things that I love most about being vegan in the last few years is the recent explosion of cauliflower. I love how cauliflower has taken the place of meats and creams and sauces and is a low-carb plant-based option for those who want it. My favorite way to eat cauliflower is deep-fried and buffalo style. I love the spiciness that buffalo sauce brings to a dish and how delicious it pairs with a creamy ranch dressing. These tacos are out of this world amazing.
Check out some other fun taco recipes like these Homemade Vegan Crunchwrap Supremes, these Mouth-Watering Vegan Birria Tacos, Taco Bell Spicy Potato Soft Tacos and these roasted veggies and black bean tacos!
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Ingredient Notes
The ingredients in this recipe are super simple. This is a budget-friendly recipe and most of the ingredients are pantry staples.
- Cauliflower- The base of this recipe is cauliflower that we are going to bread and toss in a spicy buffalo sauce. If you don't like cauliflower or have trouble digesting it, you can swap the cauliflower with tempeh and still have the amazing texture and flavor.
- Buffalo Sauce- You can either make your own buffalo sauce, using hot sauce, vegan butter and cayenne or you can purchase a pre-made buffalo sauce. I like to just purchase a pre-made sauce. It makes it easier and is still delicious! My favorite buffalo sauce to use is this one by The New Primal. It has clean ingredients and is Whole30 Approved, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, Gluten and Dairy Free, Sugar and Soy Free.
- Breadcrumbs- Breadcrumbs are important in this recipe to help coat the cauliflower. You can use regular breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko. Always make sure when purchasing breadcrumbs that they do not contain milk. Milk is a common hidden ingredient in most store-bought breadcrumbs.
- Soy Milk- When breading food, most people use an egg bath, however since we are keeping this recipe vegan, we are swapping the eggs for soy milk. Soy milk does an excellent job of coating the cauliflower and replacing the eggs. If you don't like soy milk, feel free to swap with your favorite plant-based milk.
Please see the recipe card for full ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
How to Bread the Cauliflower
- Dice the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Dip the cauliflower in the soy milk
- Coat the cauliflower with the flour
- Dip the cauliflower into the buffalo sauce
- Toss the cauliflower with breadcrumbs
- Add to a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
How to Assemble the Tacos
- Fry the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side.
- Slice up your toppings
- Take the cauliflower out and coat one more time in the buffalo sauce, add back to the oven for 10 minutes.
- Add cauliflower and toppings to the tortillas and enjoy!
Hint: Some of my favorite toppings for these tacos include:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce or cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Limes
- Cilantro
Substitutions
- Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free flour to coat the cauliflower. Serve with gluten-free tortillas
- Keto - Make this recipe keto by coating in almond flour and keto-friendly breadcrumbs and serving in a lettuce wrap!
- Paleo- Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour to coat. Serve inside lettuce wraps.
Variations
- Less Spicy - These clock in pretty spicy, if you are not a huge spice person, you can purchase a mild buffalo sauce to coat the cauliflower
- Garlic Buffalo- Mix 3 cloves of chopped garlic into the buffalo sauce to make these into garlic buffalo cauliflower bites.
- Barbecue Ranch- Try topping your tacos with this delicious Homemade Barbecue Ranch to give it a fun variation!
- Kid-friendly - Skip the buffalo sauce entirely and bread with just flour, breadcrumbs, and dairy-free milk.
Check out this other fun buffalo recipe here
FAQ's
Yes! Instead of baking them, add the coated cauliflower to the air fryer and fry at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, flipping at the 7 minute mark.
I love to pair these Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with a nice side of coleslaw or some black beans. Sometimes I even add some refreshing pico de gallo!
These Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower tacos are pretty spicy. To tone them down, I like to top them with iceberg lettuce and some vegan ranch. The creaminess of the ranch helps to cut through the spicy flavor.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment that you will need to make this Spicy Cauliflower Taco recipe successful.
- Baking Sheet
- Wire Rack
- Silicone Baking Mat
- Glass Mixing Bowls
Storage
Store the tacos in an airtight container for up to three days. Store any toppings separate from the tacos.
To reheat the cauliflower, you can either reheat in the oven to crisp back up or in the air fryer. To reheat in the oven, add the baked cauliflower to cookie sheet and bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Top tips
- To get perfectly crispy baked cauliflower. Add the cauliflower to a wire cooling rack that is placed on top of the baking sheet. It will add additional airflow to the cauliflower and help to prevent it from getting soggy.
- The final dredge in the buffalo sauce really helps to make these cauliflower bites worthwhile! It ups the flavor a huge notch and gives it a crispy coating.
- The cauliflower bites are pretty big so I always buy large taco tortillas. The street taco tortillas will be too small.
Other Great Recipes You Will Love!
- Vegan Portobello Mushroom Tacos
- Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos
- Easy Greek Falafel Gyros
- Healthy Loaded Burger Bowl
- Vegan Freezer Burritos
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 cup soy milk
- 2 cups Buffalo Sauce
- 1 head cauliflower
- Tortillas
Instructions
- Dice the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Dip the cauliflower in the soy milk
- Coat the cauliflower with the flour mixture
- Dip the cauliflower into the buffalo sauce
- Toss the cauliflower with breadcrumbs
- Once the cauliflower is coated, add to a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
- In a hot skillet add 1 tablespoon oil and fry the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side.
- After 30 minutes in the oven, take the cauliflower out and coat one more time in the buffalo sauce, add back to the oven for 10 minutes.
- Once the cauliflower is finished, assemble the tacos and enjoy!
Notes
- Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free flour to coat the cauliflower. Serve with gluten-free tortillas
- Keto - Make this recipe keto by coating in almond flour and keto-friendly breadcrumbs and serving in a lettuce wrap!
- Paleo- Coat with this paleo buffalo sauce and use almond flour instead of AP flour to coat. Serve inside lettuce wraps.
- Some of my favorite toppings for these tacos include:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Shredded cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Limes
- Cilantro
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Agnieszka says
These tacos look fantastic! We're trying to eat less meat and will definitely give them a try.
Linda says
These tacos are so beautiful and delicious. They're also perfect for Meatless Monday!
Freya says
Yum! I love cauliflower buffalo wings but I’d never thought about using them in tacos! This will become a firm favourite for taco tuesdays!
Anaiah says
These buffalo cauliflower tacos are so full of flavor! I loved them! Anything with buffalo sauce is a win for me!
Jimmy Clare says
This looks totally yummy and I want some
kaydimaggio says
They are delicious!
Kara says
Yum these looks so good! I’ll definitely be adding this to my list of recipes to try. I love that you add variations that can work for everyone!
kaydimaggio says
I hope you enjoy them!
Headphonesthoughts says
I love tacos, These tacos look so good and amazing. Will totally have to try out.
kaydimaggio says
I hope you enjoy!
Andrea White says
These tacos are the absolute best! Also love how they're so simple and easy to make. YUM!
kaydimaggio says
So glad you enjoyed!
Pastor Natalie says
These tacos look so delicious. I love that you have a variety of options and variations especially for those with dietary restrictions. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
kaydimaggio says
You're welcome! I find it so important to share different varieties and options.
Alexandra says
So delicious and absolutely very tasty - this is such a great way to prepare and enjoy cauliflower, and something that the whole family enjoyed.
kaydimaggio says
Thank you!
Jean says
I love more cauliflower recipes, enjoying two of my faves buffalo cauliflower and tacos. Thanks for this healthy and delicious recipe.
kaydimaggio says
Yes! Cauliflower is great!
Seanna Borrows says
So delish! I have been looking for a tasty buffalo cauliflower recipe and this one is definitely a keeper.
kaydimaggio says
Glad you liked it! This is the perfect buffalo cauliflower!
Sage says
These tacos are the perfect lunch! The buffalo cauliflower bites in these were amazing. Definitely making these more often!
kaydimaggio says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Natalie says
What a lovely vegan version of popular classic tacos. Yum! I must make this soon.
kaydimaggio says
I hope you enjoy!
Luca says
Love tacos. These cauliflower vegan tacos are great
kaydimaggio says
Glad you enjoyed!
Brianna May says
These look incredible!
kaydimaggio says
Thank you!
Julia says
Love this for when we're trying to eat less meat. The buffalo sauces has the BEST kick.
kaydimaggio says
Yes! It is the perfect balance of heat!
amanda says
These tacos are soooo good and I especially love the sauce!
kaydimaggio says
Thank you!
Megan Ellam says
Yum! This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it out!
Brianna says
I love buffalo anything! A fun addition to taco night.
Katie Deacon says
Buffalo is my ultimate weakness and these tacos are hitting me right in the 'must make now' zone! BRB, off to buy a cauliflower!
Katie xoxo
kaydimaggio says
Thank you I hope you enjoy!