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Appetizers

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings

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Balsamic glazed cauliflower wings are one of my favorite gluten free appetizers! This easy cauliflower based appetizer has a sticky balsamic glaze that vegans and carnivores will both love!

There’s a certain big football game coming up, and game day eats and drinks aren’t only about pretzels and beer. We are here to show you that even though you are glued to the tube (whether for the game or the commercials), you can still entertain with amazing food and wine pairings. And I am sure everyone in your crowd will love a glass of Gallo Family Vineyards Merlot with these Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower “Wings”.

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower “Wings”

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower "Wings" - a fun vegetable side dish or gluten free appetizer recipe that vegans and carnivores alike will devour. | cupcakesandkalechips.com | gluten free, vegetarian, vegan

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, meaning that if you click and make a purchase, the cost to you is the same, but I will receive a few pennies. I use the money to help maintain this website and to bring you new recipes! Compensation for this post was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.

I’m a wine girl. Doesn’t matter whether I am at a fancy restaurant, grilling burgers, or watching the game and snacking, I’m always going to choose wine. I’m no expert, but I know what I like, and have learned a little bit about pairings over the years. While I’ll usually go with a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay with chicken or shrimp, or a Cabernet with a steak, if I am just going to be sipping and snacking, I think Merlot is a great go-to wine. So I knew the Gallo Family Vineyards Merlot was the wine I would choose to pair with some gourmet game day food.

Ever since I made and shared the recipe for Sesame Glazed Cauliflower “Wings” (and saw the crazy response to them!), I’ve been dying to try a new version. This time I decided to go with a balsamic glaze, which I thought would be perfect with the medium-bodied and versatile Merlot, since it pairs well with a wide variety of foods. A bolder wine might clash with the cauliflower, but the intense balsamic would be too much for a lighter white wine.

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower "Wings" - a fun veggetable side dish or appetizer recipe that vegans and carnivores alike will devour. | cupcakesandkalechips.com | gluten free, vegetarian, vegan

I don’t know who was devouring these Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower “Wings” faster – me, The Hubby, or The Bug.

We polished off the entire batch. In fact, I think I may like them even more than the Sesame Glazed version. The balsamic vinegar reduced and got sticky and sweet and syrupy in the oven, with just a hint of garlic and rosemary. I can’t wait to make these again, and enjoy them with another glass of Gallo Family Vineyards Merlot.

Sure, they’re veggies and the vegetarians in your crew will be happy, but the robust flavor will even please the biggest carnivores (like my Hubby). And with a few simple adjustments, you can satisfy the vegans and gluten-free eaters too!

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower "Wings" - a fun veggetable side dish or appetizer recipe that vegans and carnivores alike will devour. | cupcakesandkalechips.com | gluten free, vegetarian, vegan

A couple of items you might want to help you make these delicious balsamic glazed cauliflower wings:

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What kind of wine do you like to enjoy while you are snacking?

Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings

Serve up Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower "Wings" for the big game. These sweet, savory, sticky bites will be devoured by both vegetarians and meat-eaters.
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Servings: 4 -6
Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

For the sauce:

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten free
  • ¼ cup honey or agave or maple syrup for strict vegan
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 tsp finely minced fresh rosemary
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • a few grinds black pepper

For the cauliflower:

  • One large head cauliflower
  • ½ cup flour I used brown rice flour, but I have seen similar recipes where regular all purpose flour was used
  • ½ cup milk of choice I used almond milk

Instructions

For the sauce:

  • Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Set aside.

For the cauliflower:

  • Preheat your oven to 450°F, and spray a baking sheet with oil or cooking spray.
  • Cut the cauliflower into florets. The smaller they are, the faster they will cook and softer they will get.
  • Whisk together the flour and milk in a bowl.
  • Toss the cauliflower in the batter until thoroughly coated.
  • Arrange the cauliflower on the baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until slightly less done than you want them.
  • Remove from the oven and pour the sauce over the cauliflower.
  • Return to oven for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and gently flip and toss the cauliflower in the sauce on the sheet to coat.
  • Return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
Tried this recipe?Mention @cupcakekalechip or tag #cupcakesandkalechips!

Enjoy!

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower "Wings" - a fun veggetable side dish or appetizer recipe that vegans and carnivores alike will devour. | cupcakesandkalechips.com | gluten free, vegetarian, vegan

Need some more gourmet game day snacks like the balsamic glazed cauliflower wings to pair with your favorite wine?

Maple-Walnut-Sweet-Potato-Hummus-1-title.jpg Thai-Larb-Chicken-Lettuce-Cups-1-thumb.jpg Honey-Nut-Baked-Brie-1-title.jpg

And make sure you check out the rest of today’s menu from the #SundaySupper family for Game Day Entertaining & Pairings using the Gallo Family Vineyards wines:

Game Day Entertaining and Pairing:

Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower "Wings" - a fun veggetable side dish or appetizer recipe that vegans and carnivores alike will devour. | cupcakesandkalechips.com | gluten free, vegetarian, vegan

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Comments

  1. Ash West @ The Delightful Home says

    These look great! I’ve had good luck subbing tapioca or arrowroot flour for gluten free!

    Reply

    • Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says

      Thank you so much. Yes, tapioca and arrowroot starch are great gluten free options as well!

      Reply

  3. Sarah says

    I’m drooling. Seriously. I’ve become so addicted to cauliflower it’s not even funny. Can’t wait to make this!

    I will be starting a blog soon. Not using my own recipes because I have no idea how to put stuff like this together but maybe eventually. I do want to show people (mainly moms under time constraints) how possible it is to make delicious food without animal cruelty. Mainly my point is to ask if it is okay to link your recipe if I use it?

    Reply

  5. jen Schreiner says

    What a great creation! I LOVE cauliflower. Really I can’t wait to try this one. My new years resolution. Less Carbs.

    Reply

  6. Kim O. says

    5 stars
    I had been looking for this balsamic glaze recipe for many years. My ex mother-in-law was from Portugal and would make this to pour over steak and fries when we came to visit her years ago. I have never forgotten the taste and was thrilled to finally come across this. Just as I remember it. I will be pouring this over everything!!

    Reply

    • Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says

      Oh wow! Never thought about pouring it over steak. That may be a new recipe you’ll see on the blog!

      Reply

  7. Linda says

    I LOVE this recipe! I made it and almost didn’t get photos to put up on my blog because I couldn’t stop picking on it. Great recipe and thanks so much for sharing
    http://bestoflongislandandcentralflorida.blogspot.com/2014/08/balsamic-glazed-cauliflower-wings.html

    Linda

    Reply

  8. Tricia says

    These are soooo yummy! I also made a batch with melted vegan butter and buffalo sauce and they tasted like hot wings! Cannot wait to make theSe in football season.

    Reply

  9. Jessica says

    I followed the recipe but mine came out soggy looking, not like the picture. Did this happen to any one else?

    Reply

      • Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says

        Did you bake them right on the pan, not with a silpat? I used a silpat once and they weren’t as glazy. They don’t come out super crisp, but maybe you need to bake them a bit longer for the glaze to get more sticky?

        Reply

    • Katy says

      Mine also came out very soggy yesterday. I baked on the pan. It seemed like there was too much liquid in the sauce so all the crisping that happened in the first battered step just turned into a soggy mess after I added the sauce, and in so much liquid the cauliflower itself started to overcook. In the future I think I would try it without the batter step and just toss the cauliflower in the sauce (maybe a thicker version). It was still tasty but did not look as appealing 🙂

      Reply

      • Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says

        Hmm, I’ll have to try this recipe again. I’ve made it several times and several versions, and yes, it doesn’t stay super crispy, bit mine always glaze nicely.

        Reply

  10. Sars says

    I have now made these twice in one week! And will definitely be making them again for my roommate…and likely next time my family comes over for dinner. These are delicious!

    Reply

    • Brianne Izzo says

      Haha, awesome! Have you seen my sesame version? I’m not sure which I like better. https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/sesame-glazed-cauliflower-wings-sundaysupper-tailgate-glutenfree-vegan/

      Reply

  11. April says

    Hey there! Thank you for this recipe. I made a few changes to make it organic as well but they were great! Thank you for the idea. I’ve posted the recipe on my blog as well, giving you credit of course. 🙂 http://athomeorganic.com/2014/03/05/balsamic-roasted-cauliflower/

    Reply

  13. Dana says

    Made these today and LOVED them! I think next time I will bake them in a 9″ dish instead of a small cookie sheet so as to avoid the extra clean-up from the sticky, sweet (and VERY tasty) sauce as it bubbles up and hardens after taking them out of the oven.

    Reply

  19. Jahnavi says

    I found this recipe thru Pinterest and had to check it out. I’m always on the lookout for veg appetizer recipes. Thanks. Cauliflower wings, what an idea. Would the flavor change a lot of I used thyme versus rosemary? I think this dish would be great for my next party, will let you know how it turns out.

    Reply

    • Brianne Izzo says

      I’m sure thyme would be fine, and honestly, you could probably just omit it completely and it will still be yummy.

      Reply

  20. Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says

    5 stars
    I live in Canada so I won’t be celebrating the Superbowl…but I will definitely be making these! They look incredible! Yum 🙂

    Reply

  21. Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says

    Confession time… I’ve gotten totally hooked on cauliflower ‘wings’. We tried a buffalo version last week, and I was smitten. I think we still have half a head in the fridge. Time to try these!

    Reply

  22. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says

    Brianne, I totally loved your Sesame Cauliflower Wings when you posted them and these are no different.. Ok… maybe a little I’m obsessed with balsamic vinegar so these are totally going to happen in my house! Love them! Pinning!

    Reply

  24. Shaina says

    These sound so freaking delicious. Once again, you’ve come to the rescue when I’m trying to figure out something to make for a food event! (You helped me with Thanksgiving too!)

    Reply

  25. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    5 stars
    What a clever idea! I wouldn’t have put these together as ‘wings’ but I certainly will now.

    Reply

  27. Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says

    I just love how these totally LOOK like wings, even. And I’m a sucker for anything coated in a balsamic glaze. What a perfect party good for vegetarians, or anyones, really!

    Reply

    • Brianne Izzo says

      I know, isn’t it crazy?! Oh, and this glaze was also awesome on chicken. I have to remake and photograph this time!

      Reply

    • Brianne Izzo says

      Wish I could take full credit – I’ve seen lots of recipe for Buffalo Cauliflower. But I’ve loved coming up with new versions.

      Reply

  33. Susan says

    I love everything about this Brianne. Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables and the sauce sounds so delicious. Will have to give this a try!

    Reply

  40. Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says

    All I can say is yum. I would totally devour these and not feel a bit guilty because they are healthy too!

    Reply

  43. Cindys Recipes and Writings says

    These cauliflower wings sound great for game day snacking with a nice glass of Gallo Merlot!

    Reply

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