Game Day, Guilt-Free: 10 Healthy Appetizers for your Game Day Spread

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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Crispy, spicy, and packed with flavor, these buffalo cauliflower bites are a lighter take on classic Buffalo wings—without sacrificing the heat or crunch. Roasted instead of fried, they’re a guilt-free addition to your Super Bowl spread. Serve them with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for the perfect game-day snack. Try making it vegan by using olive oil instead of butter and pairing it with dairy-free ranch.

Ingredients (for 4-6 servings):

• 1 medium-head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for a gluten-free option)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup buffalo hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (or olive oil for a vegan option)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt until smooth.
3. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss until evenly coated in the batter. Shake off excess and spread them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 min. and flip the florets halfway through until golden and crispy.
5. Toss in sauce. In a small bowl, mix buffalo hot sauce with melted butter. Transfer the baked cauliflower to a clean bowl and toss with the sauce until well-coated.
6. Bake again for 10 min. Return the coated cauliflower to the baking sheet and bake for another 10 min. for a crispy finish.
7. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions and serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing.