Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos You’ll Crave Every Taco Tuesday
Buffalo wings are classic, sure, but what if you could enjoy that same spicy kick with a plant-based twist? Enter buffalo cauliflower tacos with blue cheese sauce.
These tacos bring all the flavor you crave, minus the meat, making them perfect for vegetarians and veggie-lovers alike.
Let’s be real—whether you’re a meat-eater or not, there’s just something amazing about a good buffalo sauce.
Paired with the creaminess of blue cheese and a crunchy taco shell? It’s like all your favorite things wrapped up into one satisfying bite.
Ingredients Overview
Each ingredient here isn’t just for show. Every component adds something unique, from crunch to creaminess. Here’s a breakdown:
- Cauliflower Florets – The star veggie that brings a mild flavor and perfect texture for soaking up all that buffalo sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour & Water – Makes a simple batter that crisps up nicely, giving the cauliflower a slightly crunchy coat.
- Paprika & Garlic Powder – Spices up the batter with subtle warmth that complements the buffalo sauce.
- Buffalo Sauce – Provides that classic spicy, tangy kick, making each bite addictive.
- Butter – Adds richness to the sauce, making it extra creamy and smooth.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles – Creamy and tangy, perfect for balancing the spiciness.
- Sour Cream & Mayo – These two mix for a smooth base in the blue cheese sauce.
- Tortillas – Either corn or flour, these will hold it all together.
- Celery & Carrots – Add a satisfying crunch and a hint of sweetness.
Let’s Make These Tacos
Follow these steps for the best-tasting buffalo cauliflower tacos around.
Ingredients
For Buffalo Cauliflower
- 1 Medium Head Cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Paprika
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1 Cup Buffalo Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
For Blue Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 Cup Blue Cheese Crumbles
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
For the Tacos
- 8 Small Tortillas (corn or flour)
- 1 Cup Shredded Lettuce or Cabbage
- 1/2 Cup Diced Celery
- 1/2 Cup Diced Carrots
- 1/2 Cup Blue Cheese Crumbles
Instructions To Make Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
1. Prep the Cauliflower
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Add the cauliflower florets and coat them evenly in the batter.
- Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cauliflower is golden and starting to crisp up.
2. Coat with Buffalo Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix buffalo sauce with melted butter.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven and toss with the buffalo sauce until each piece is well-coated.
- Return the cauliflower to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until crispy.
3. Make the Blue Cheese Sauce
- In a bowl, mix sour cream, mayo, blue cheese crumbles, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- For a smoother texture, briefly blend the sauce in a food processor.
4. Warm the Tortillas
- Warm each tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat, about 30 seconds per side, or heat in the microwave for 15 seconds.
5. Assemble the Tacos
- Place a layer of shredded lettuce or cabbage on each tortilla.
- Add a spoonful of buffalo cauliflower on top.
- Sprinkle with diced celery, carrots, and blue cheese crumbles.
- Drizzle with blue cheese sauce.
6. Serve and Enjoy
- Serve immediately with extra blue cheese sauce on the side.
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Blue Cheese Sauce
PrintBuffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Blue Cheese Sauce
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (8 tacos) 1x
Description
These Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos are a bold twist on a classic, pairing spicy, oven-roasted cauliflower with a creamy blue cheese sauce. Perfect for meatless Mondays, game-day gatherings, or any night you crave a delicious and satisfying taco!
Equipment:
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Spoon
- Dry skillet or microwave for warming tortillas
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Cauliflower
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Blue Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Tacos
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Cauliflower:
-
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the batter, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Arrange the coated cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the batter is set and the cauliflower starts to crisp.
Buffalo Sauce Coating:
-
- In a small bowl, combine buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- After the initial bake, remove cauliflower from the oven and toss with the buffalo sauce mixture.
- Return the cauliflower to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy.
Prepare the Blue Cheese Sauce:
-
- In a bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. (For a smoother texture, blend the sauce briefly in a food processor.)
Warm the Tortillas:
-
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side or in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Assemble the Tacos:
-
- Place a layer of shredded lettuce or cabbage on each tortilla.
- Add a portion of buffalo cauliflower on top.
- Sprinkle with diced celery, carrots, and crumbled blue cheese.
- Drizzle with blue cheese sauce.
Serve:
-
- Serve immediately with extra blue cheese sauce on the side, if desired.
Notes
In this recipe, we’ve added diced carrots alongside the traditional celery for a colorful crunch that enhances the flavor and adds nutritional value. This unique addition gives each taco an extra layer of texture, creating a delightful contrast with the soft, spicy cauliflower. The carrots bring a slight sweetness and balance to the tangy blue cheese sauce, making these tacos even more satisfying.
Make it Vegan: For a vegan version, replace the butter in the buffalo sauce with vegan butter, use plant-based mayonnaise and sour cream for the sauce, and choose a vegan blue cheese substitute.
Storage: Store any leftover buffalo cauliflower and blue cheese sauce separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the cauliflower in the oven to keep it crispy.
Tips: For even crispier cauliflower, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Taco
- Calories: 250 calories
Tips for the Best Tacos
- Extra Crispy Cauliflower: Broil the cauliflower for 2-3 minutes at the end if you like extra crispiness.
- Vegan Option: Replace butter with vegan butter, and use dairy-free blue cheese and sour cream.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour for the batter and corn tortillas.
If you’re a fan of extra blue cheese flavor, this steakhouse blue cheese dressing recipe could be an indulgent addition. For those looking to balance the heat with a hint of sweetness, consider a drizzle of this sweet soy glaze as a unique twist.
Other Suggestions To Complete Your Taco Night
Want to mix things up for taco night?
Try these black bean and butternut squash tacos for another delicious plant-based option.
You can also explore more traditional flavors with our recipe for authentic birria tacos, which pairs well with a variety of fillings.
Perfect Your Taco Night with These Helpful Guides
Make taco night unforgettable with a few quick tips and ideas to elevate your buffalo cauliflower tacos!
For prepping, precision is key. Measuring your ingredients accurately can make all the difference in batter texture, so check out our quick guide on how to measure baking ingredients. And for the smoothest, creamiest buffalo sauce, melt your butter just right with our double boiler method.
Looking to get your cauliflower perfectly crispy? Our roasting techniques guide will help you achieve that golden crunch every time. Understanding the difference between volume and weight can also fine-tune your cooking skills, so don’t miss our volume vs weight guide.
Add a fresh twist with a little salsa – this easy molcajete salsa recipe brings a burst of flavor to each bite. And if you love a side crunch, serve zucchini chips alongside your tacos.
For those exploring plant-based options, our vegetarian cooking terms guide is a great resource for building confidence in your cooking skills.
With these simple guides and tips, you’ll master buffalo cauliflower tacos like a pro!
Buffalo Cauliflower Taco And Blue Cheese Sauce FAQs
Yes, but thaw and pat dry before battering, as frozen cauliflower holds extra water.
Moderate spice. Adjust the buffalo sauce quantity to control the heat.
Yes, air-fry at 400°F for about 15-18 minutes, shaking halfway.
Ranch dressing offers a milder, creamy option if you’re not a fan of blue cheese.
Absolutely! Make it a day in advance, but give it a quick stir before serving.
Grilling works, but you’ll lose some crispiness. Marinate first and grill on skewers for easy flipping.
Diced radishes, avocado, or thinly sliced red onions add great flavors.
Disclosure: This article uses automation for structure, but all insights and advice are provided by Ryan Yates, an experienced executive chef with over 20 years of expertise. Additionally, this post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to keep providing high-quality content.