Buffalo cauliflower pizza is a delightful twist on the classic pizza, combining the spicy kick of buffalo sauce with the wholesome goodness of roasted cauliflower. This recipe is perfect for those looking to enjoy a vegetarian option that doesn't skimp on flavor. The combination of crispy cauliflower, melted mozzarella, and a drizzle of ranch dressing makes for a mouthwatering meal that will satisfy any pizza lover.
If you don't usually have buffalo sauce in your pantry, you might need to pick some up at the supermarket. This tangy and spicy sauce is essential for giving the cauliflower its signature buffalo flavor. Additionally, if you prefer to make your own pizza dough, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients for that, or you can opt for a store-bought version for convenience.
Ingredients For Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza
Cauliflower: The star of the dish, cut into florets to roast and absorb the buffalo sauce.
Buffalo sauce: Provides the spicy and tangy flavor that makes this pizza unique.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully over the pizza, adding a creamy texture and flavor.
Pizza dough: The base of the pizza, which can be store-bought or homemade.
Olive oil: Used to coat the cauliflower for roasting, adding a rich flavor and helping it crisp up.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor to the roasted cauliflower.
Onion powder: Enhances the flavor of the cauliflower with a hint of onion.
Ranch dressing: Drizzled over the finished pizza for a cool, creamy contrast to the spicy buffalo sauce.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When roasting the cauliflower, make sure to spread the florets out in a single layer on the baking sheet. This ensures that they roast evenly and become tender and slightly crispy. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming instead of roasting, which will prevent the cauliflower from achieving that desirable texture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cauliflower - Substitute with broccoli: Broccoli florets provide a similar texture and can hold up well to the buffalo sauce.
buffalo sauce - Substitute with sriracha mixed with melted butter: This combination mimics the spicy and buttery profile of buffalo sauce.
shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
pizza dough - Substitute with cauliflower crust: For a gluten-free option, a cauliflower crust can be used and will pair well with the buffalo cauliflower topping.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
garlic powder - Substitute with minced fresh garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more intense and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Fresh onions can add a more robust and fresh onion flavor to the dish.
ranch dressing - Substitute with blue cheese dressing: Blue cheese dressing offers a tangy and creamy alternative that pairs well with buffalo flavors.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
- For short-term storage, place the pizza slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slices on a baking sheet and heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly again.
- For freezing, first, flash-freeze the pizza slices by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid.
- Once frozen, transfer the pizza slices to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label with the date and store for up to 2 months.
- To reheat from frozen, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the frozen pizza slices on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- For a quicker option, you can reheat the frozen pizza slices in a microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. However, this method may result in a less crispy crust.
- If you prefer, you can also reheat the pizza slices in a toaster oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes for a crispy finish.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza on a baking sheet. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly again.
Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place a slice of the pizza in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method helps maintain a crispy bottom.
Microwave Method: Place a slice of pizza on a microwave-safe plate. Put a microwave-safe cup of water next to the pizza to keep it from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through. Note that this method may result in a softer crust.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method is quick and keeps the pizza crispy.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slice on the toaster oven tray. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method is convenient for reheating small portions.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to preheat and bake the cauliflower and pizza at the specified temperatures.
Baking sheet: Utilized to spread out and roast the cauliflower florets.
Mixing bowl: Needed to toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out the buffalo sauce and olive oil.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the garlic powder and onion powder.
Pizza stone or additional baking sheet: Used to bake the pizza dough for a crispier crust.
Rolling pin: Helps in rolling out the pizza dough evenly.
Spatula: Handy for tossing the roasted cauliflower with buffalo sauce.
Cheese grater: If you're using a block of mozzarella, this will be needed to shred the cheese.
Drizzling bottle or spoon: Useful for drizzling ranch dressing over the finished pizza.
Knife: Needed to cut the cauliflower into florets.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-cut cauliflower: Buy pre-cut cauliflower florets to save time on chopping.
Use pre-made dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.
Ready-made buffalo sauce: Purchase buffalo sauce instead of making your own.
Pre-shredded cheese: Use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to skip the grating step.
Sheet pan lining: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Quick roasting: Use a convection oven setting to roast the cauliflower faster.
Batch cooking: Roast extra cauliflower florets for future meals.
Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 head Cauliflower cut into florets
- ½ cup Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1 piece Pizza Dough store-bought or homemade
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ cup Ranch Dressing for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Toss the cauliflower florets in olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Spread them out on a baking sheet.
- Roast the cauliflower in the oven for 20 minutes, until tender and slightly crispy.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven and toss with buffalo sauce.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a baking sheet. Spread the buffalo cauliflower over the dough and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the pizza in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Drizzle with ranch dressing before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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