The Best Vegan Buffalo Wings Are Just Fries
Buffalo cauliflower wings are a miracle of vegan junk food, but making them yourself is a different story. If deep-frying gets in the way, your choice is either the sad, raw “oven-fried” versions, or abstain from food altogether. What should a vegan, not fried, do when the urge arises? Easy – just buy a bag of potatoes.
If you think about it, frozen burgers are the perfect substrate for the oily, hot, vinegar buffalo sauce. They are scientifically formulated to stay crisp and remain so that they can absorb large amounts of sauce without falling apart completely. This crunchy appearance not only strikes with essential texture notes, but also imparts a distinct deep-fried flavor that reinforces the true sensation of Buffalo wings. (Seriously, “frying oil” is the underrated middle child of this iconic flavor profile – without a little fatty quality, it just tastes wrong .) To top it off, the berries are cheap, readily available, and take less than half an hour. Cook.
To make your Buffalo kittens you will need:
- 1 bag of 28oz frozen potato cards (I’m faithful to Ore-Ida Extra Crispy)
- 3/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot (you can use a different sauce, but please don’t tell me about this)
- 4 tablespoons vegan or dairy butter, preferably salted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, to taste
- Salt to taste
- Vegan ranch dressing, for serving
Cook the pancakes according to package directions, adding 3-5 minutes to keep them crispy. I air-roasted mine at 450ºF for 18 minutes and they were perfect. If you also use a deep fryer, you may not be able to craft the entire bag in one go – mine will only fit half the bag.
While the tortillas are nice and crispy, prepare the sauce: Combine the remaining ingredients (except the dressing) in a microwave-safe container and cook on high in 15-second increments until the butter melts, stirring frequently to keep everything smooth. Adjust seasonings as needed, then set aside.
Pour the sauce over the crumbs as soon as they come out of the oven (or deep fryer) and serve immediately with any dressing of your choice. If you find leftover sauce, store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also double up the sauce and keep it close at hand so you’re always ready for the Buffalo babies cravings.