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Buffalo Cauliflower “Chicken” Sandwich

in Entrees, Sandwiches

A delicious vegan buffalo sandwich that will leave you asking, “who needs chicken?”

buffalo cauliflower sand 6Not convinced?  Well, it sounds like I need to prove you wrong!

buffalo cauliflower sand 5Since becoming a vegetarian about two and a half years ago, there are really only a few meaty foods that I really miss.  And guess what?  Chicken is not one of them.

But… after making vegan cauliflower buffalo wings a few months ago (and several times since), I have become hooked on all things buffalo and cauliflower “chicken.”  While eating said wings a few weeks back, I decided that something similar would make for the perfect buffalo “chicken” sandwich.  Pretty much everything is ten times better in sandwich form.  Please tell me you at least agree with me on that part.

buffalo cauliflower sand 3This sandwich could not be easier to make.  In fact, it is probably five times easier to make than the wings and requires a whole lot less cutting- which is a huge plus in my book because I am definitely not a veggie-cutting lover by any means.  Do those people even exist? 😉

buffalo cauliflower sand 2Making this sandwich is simple.  Just slice, dip, bread, and bake.  Sounds easy, right?  I bet it also sounds pretty healthy, too?  It is both.  Easy and healthy, but also so crispy, flavorful, and delicious.  Somebody please go make me one of these right now because I feel a craving coming on… for breakfast!

buffalo cauliflower sand 7Buffalo Cauliflower “Chicken” Sandwich
Vegan
Adapted from this recipe for Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 medium head of cauliflower
1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
2 to 3 TB buffalo sauce (depending on how spicy you want it)
1/2 cup chickpea/garbanzo flour
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp fine sea salt
dash cayenne pepper
2 whole wheat hamburger buns
sandwich fixings- lettuce, red onion, tomato, and vegan ranch for me!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray.  Set aside.

2. Cut the head of cauliflower in half, leaving the “stem” intact.  From each half of the head of cauliflower, cut 1-inch thick slices from the flouret part of the cauliflower down to the stem.  Continue to leave the stem intact.  You will likely end up with two sandwich-sized pieces of cauliflower, though I baked a few extra smaller pieces and ate them on the side- because they are so good!

3. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the almond milk and buffalo sauce until well-combined.  In a separate shallow bowl, combine the flour and spices.

4. Bread the cauliflower by dipping it into the buffalo sauce mixture (reserve leftovers) and then transferring it to the second bowl and coating it with the flour/spices mixture.

5. Place the cauliflower onto the baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining pieces of cauliflower.

6. Bake cauliflower for apprpoximately 20 minutes.  Flip and continue baking approximately 15 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown.

7. Using a basting brush, brush the cauliflower with the remaining buffalo sauce mixture.

8. Bake an additional 10 minutes, or until crispy.

buffalo cauliflower sand 4Crispy.
Spicy.
Amazing.

This is a perfect weekday lunch.  This is a perfect weekend dinner.  This is perfect for Fall, perfect for football, perfect for tailgates.  In other words, I am kind of a BIG fan of this one.

I love everything that I post here on CEVG (otherwise I would not post it), but this is one that I am extra excited about sharing.

buffalo cauliflower sandI served my buffalo cauliflower “chicken” on a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and vegan chia ranch dressing.  A dill pickle spear and veggies were a must too!  You cannot have buffalo “chicken” without either carrots or celery, right?

buffalo cauliflower sand 8Looks like chicken, right?  Pretty cool, I know.  Turns out it doesn’t taste just like chicken, but I happen to think it tastes even better (from what I remember chicken tasting like)!  This is definitely one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten that is literally made out of a vegetable.  If I haven’t convinced you yet, please tell me you agree that healthy is delicious!

Are you a fan of the buffalo cauliflower trend?

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{ 47 comments… add one }
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles September 11, 2014, 5:19 am
    Love this. Although I would prob use barbecue sauce instead but I am sure that would be equally as tasty! I love roasting up cauliflower. And I never once missed chicken either. Amazing isn't it? We live on food for our entire lives and then give it up and never crave it once. Crazy when I think about it. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...I Never ForgetMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2014, 9:32 am
      It is so crazy... though now and then I get a hankering for a pork tenderloin sandwich and my dad's meatloaf! ;) I think this would be delicious with BBQ sauce! Great idea!
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies September 11, 2014, 6:58 am
    This looks tasty! It reminds me of a cauliflower sandwich I had in Grand Rapids last summer. I'd been meaning to recreate it for almost a whole year and somehow never got around to it :( Must change that now! Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted...Potato Pizza with Dill Cream CheeseMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2014, 9:39 am
      Yes, you must!! Let me know if you try it out, Kelly :)
  • Megan @ The DelightFULL Dash September 11, 2014, 7:34 am
    I have to say that this looks delicious! I've been a vegetarian for years but never thought to try cauliflower as a meat substitute. Definitely going to give this recipe a try. Thanks! Megan @ The DelightFULL Dash recently posted...LiftedMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2014, 9:40 am
      Cauliflower and buffalo sauce just somehow "works" together SO well! I hope you love it :)
  • Jeff @ Murnan Creative September 11, 2014, 7:51 am
    You had me at buffalo. Definitely want to try this!! Jeff @ Murnan Creative recently posted...Wednesday Roundup 3My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2014, 9:41 am
      They are pretty darn delicious! You should probably make these for you and Joanna ;)
  • Katie September 11, 2014, 8:04 am
    I love buffalo cauliflower! I did a breaded version once but the breading recipe I had was different, I might have to try yours. Otherwise, I like to just roast the cauliflower after its marinated in buffalo sauce for a couple hours. So yummy! Katie recently posted...Couch to 5k Week 1: The Best AppsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2014, 9:42 am
      Let me know if you give this one a try! Also, roasted cauliflower in buffalo sauce sounds aammmmaaaaazing! I'll have to try that!
  • Joanna @Makingmine September 11, 2014, 8:38 am
    Ok, I gotta admit…. this is SO cool! I really want to try this! Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...farmers market find: crazy gringa hot sauceMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2014, 9:43 am
      Haha, I actually JUST commented on Jeff's comment above and told him he should probably make these for you two ;)
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul September 11, 2014, 9:46 am
    Omg Josh would be in heaven with this! Do you think it would taste good on a grilled cheese? :D Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...August 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have ReviewMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:09 am
      Oh I bet it would taste AWESOME on grilled cheese!
  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health September 11, 2014, 10:22 am
    how deliciousssssss and creative. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted...Chicken ChoyelaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:10 am
      Thank you Dixya!!! I hope you will give them a try :)
  • Missy September 11, 2014, 1:48 pm
    This is the first Ive heard of it being basted like that. Oh. My. Yum.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:12 am
      It is SO good that way... try it out!! The way I think about it is that the more buffalo sauce you have, the better ;)
  • Ashley September 11, 2014, 4:15 pm
    These sound awesomeeeeee. Spicy and crispy? Yes and yes! I hate cutting cauliflower so I love that these are huge pieces .... not as much as a pain! :) Ashley recently posted...Meal Planning 101 – The HowMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:13 am
      That is part of the reason why I thought to make these... the cauliflower buffalo wings are delicious, but man do they require a lot of cutting!! :/
  • Alex @ The Zen Kat September 11, 2014, 4:56 pm
    Brilliant recipe! I'm totally down to give the cauliflower burger a try. The healthier the better right? :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:14 am
      Thank you, Alex! And yes, you can beat adding extra veggies into your meals, especially when they taste this GOOD!
  • Lauren @SprinkledIn September 11, 2014, 5:15 pm
    Hey that looks pretty good! Cauliflower is so filling. I love making cauliflower pizza and cheesy cauliflower mash. Maybe I'll try this.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:15 am
      Cauliflower is SO versatile...it's crazy! I LOVE cauliflower crust pizza. Thanks for the reminder on that one.. it's been awhile since I have made it. I haven't tried cauliflower mash yet, but I need to. Do you have a go-to recipe?
  • lindsay September 11, 2014, 8:01 pm
    how have i not thought of this! you are genius.. you know that right? i wonder if any other veggie head would work
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:16 am
      Haha, you are too kind ;) It always cracks me up when I randomly think of the weirdest ideas...but sometimes they REALLY work and really pay off. I'm not sure about any other veggies... you've got me thinking now...
  • Linz @ Itz Linz September 11, 2014, 9:06 pm
    LOVE buffalo chicken so this looks fantastic! Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted...Eric Carle Pajamas | #WhatDoYouSee Photo ContestMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:18 am
      Thank you, Lindsay! It's funny because I was never a buffalo chicken kind of person when I was a meat eater. Crazy how things change ;)
  • Debbie @ Live from La Quinta September 11, 2014, 10:36 pm
    I just need to know: will this fool my cauliflower hating husband? He is vegetarian, just hates most vegetables :-) Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted...The La Quinta Storm of 2014My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:19 am
      It is certainly worth a shot! I actually really don't like cauliflower very much at all when it is plain, but with the buffalo sauce on this I LOVE it! Let me know if you try it out.
  • zoe denton September 12, 2014, 6:49 am
    sounds delicious can't wait to try it just one question from the UK...what is buffalo sauce?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 9:20 am
      Thank you, Zoe! I sometimes forget that buffalo sauce isn't common everywhere. It is essentially a type of hot sauce... aka delicious!
  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health September 12, 2014, 11:14 am
    Apparently we were both craving a little buffalo flavor recently! This looks fantastic. I'll definitely be giving it a try! Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted...30 Fast n’ Healthy Soup RecipesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 12, 2014, 10:00 pm
      We sure were! I'd say we have GOOD tastebuds! ;)
  • kellie@foodtoglow September 23, 2014, 4:50 am
    I do a Buffalo Cauliflower and Cashew Bites thing and will totally be adapting to use your idea. I need to go eat breakfast before I expire from food envy... Pinning, Stumbling etc. Looks.So.Good.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 23, 2014, 7:35 am
      Thank you Kellie!! Do you care to share your buffalo cauliflower and cashew bites recipe? That sounds awesome!
      • kellie@foodtoglow September 24, 2014, 3:13 am
        Oh thanks, here it is http://kelliesfoodtoglow.com/2014/04/14/spicy-cauliflower-cashew-bites-with-wild-garlic-sauce-and-american-buffalo-sauce/ kellie@foodtoglow recently posted...Pad Thai CrepesMy Profile
        • ClnEatingVegGrl September 24, 2014, 8:54 pm
          Thank you!!!
  • OhGoddess September 23, 2014, 10:15 am
    Great yummy sandwich! Would be even better if it included the recipe/ingredients for buffalo sauce. Recipe is incomplete without that, for people who really like to cook healthy foods. We take the remaining cooked cauliflower and blend it with almond milk, salt and pepper for a delicious creamy sauce for dipping and sndwich toppings. It's a great alternative to hollandaise and alfredo sauces.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 23, 2014, 3:50 pm
      That sounds like an awesome sauce! I have never used cauliflower for a sauce, but I love that idea. Thanks for sharing :)
  • Jenn Stoker September 23, 2014, 11:51 am
    Can't wait to try this!! Looks so yummy
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 23, 2014, 3:48 pm
      Thanks Jenn! I hope you love it as much as I do! :)
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