Hard Rock Cafe's Cauliflower 'Wings'

These alternatives to chicken wings come off the pan crispy and so delicious you won't even miss the meat.

Photo: Courtesy Hard Rock Cafe

These alternatives to chicken wings come off the pan crispy and so delicious you won’t even miss the meat. Try this oven-baked version, which is inspired by the restaurant’s recipe, for an even lighter option

Hard Rock Cafe’s Cauliflower ‘Wings’

½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
1 cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 (1-lb.) head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
⅓ cup buffalo-style sauce
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Combine flour, 1 teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the pepper in a shallow bowl. Combine panko, remaining 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper in a second shallow bowl. Place eggs in a third shallow bowl.

2. Working in batches, dredge cauliflower in flour, shaking off excess. Coat cauliflower in egg, and dredge in panko, shaking off excess. Transfer to a lightly greased aluminum-foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until cauliflower is tender and golden, 30 to 40 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, combine buffalo sauce and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until butter melts and mixture is smooth.

4. Toss together roasted cauliflower and sauce mixture in a large bowl. Arrange on a serving platter; serve with blue cheese dressing, carrot sticks and celery sticks.

Serves: 4
Active time: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes