Cauliflower cheesy bread sticks are a low-carb, veggie appetizer that is so crispy, spicy and delicious that you won’t be missing those heavy game day snacks. And they are even better when you kick them up like these Blue Cheese Cauliflower Cheesy Bread Sticks with Buffalo Marinara Dipping Sauce.
Blue Cheese Cauliflower Cheesy Bread Sticks with Buffalo Marinara Dipping Sauce –> CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE
The big game is just days away, and I’ll be honest, I’m feeling a bit out of the loop. If I stretch my brain a bit, I think I can remember who is playing. But since it’s not any of the teams that any member of my family roots for, nor is it any of the local teams here in the greater D.C. area, I really have not paid a bit of attention. And it isn’t just the teams and players. I couldn’t even tell you who is performing he halftime show or singing the National Anthem. I haven’t even seen any sneak peeks of the commercials. I’m feeling seriously un-American. We have a huuuuge TV that we’ll watch the game on, I can certainly throw together some game day grub, but for various reasons, we aren’t even planning on having company.
Can you say lame-oooooo?!
Sure, we’ll watch. Well, The Hubby will watch the game, I’ll probably be on Pinterest or Twitter or something, then peek up when the game goes to commercials, and we’ll hope that the timing of the halftime show aligns with when the boys have to go to bed, because, let’s face it, the performance is always overrated anyway (or at least I try to convince myself of that since The Hubby never wants to leave it on – football purist that he is, he can’t stand anything associated with making the game into a spectacle). Honestly, rather than snacks, I’ll probably just make a nice Sunday dinner.
Tell me something, though – is it also un-American to be totally obsessed with bread sticks that don’t contain any actual, well, umm, bread?
Because you guyssssss, Blue Cheese Cauliflower Cheesy Bread Sticks are amazing. Crispy, cheesy, with the buttery, nutty goodness that happens when cauliflower and cheese come together and get a little crispy on the edges. Top that with rich, pungent blue cheese and oh my goodness, I can’t even begin to describe they crazy flavor action going on. But wait, there’s more. Just to put it over the top, yes I went there – Buffalo Marinara Dipping Sauce. No words, people, seriously no words.
I’m gonna warn you – make a double batch. I wish I did, because the four of us made quick work of that pile of bread sticks. Yup, even the little dude was happily dunking into his own bowl of Buffalo marinara (he’s a notorious double dipper). I cannot wait to make these again. Maybe Sunday. Unless that makes me, like, quintuple un-American. Whatever – football schmootball. Just give me a plate of these breadless sticks and a glass of wine and I’ll be a happy mama!
Are you excited about the big game?
Blue Cheese Cauliflower Cheesy Bread Sticks with Buffalo Marinara Dipping Sauce
You'll never miss the carbs when you make these tasty breadless sticks and dunk them in a spicy sauce.
Ingredients
For the bread sticks
- 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used Cabot)
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
For the Buffalo marinara
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- one 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 Tablespoons hot sauce (I used Frank's)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
For the bread sticks:
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the outer leaves from the cauliflower and cut it florets. Place in a food processor and pulse until it is the consistency of rice.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and cook in the microwave for 10 minutes. You can also steam the cauliflower.
- Allow the cauliflower to cool until you can handle it, then transfer to a kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Place the cauliflower in a bowl and add the egg, dry mustard, Monterey jack, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Mix to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread into a rectangle about 8 x 12 inches and ¼-inch thick.
- Bake in the oven 15-20 minutes until firm and set in the middle and browned on the edges.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven, cut into 12 sticks and separate the sticks slightly.
- Sprinkle the blue cheese over the sticks. Return the pan to the oven and and bake another 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are browned.
- Serve with Buffalo marinara sauce for dipping.
For the Buffalo marinara:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the tomato sauce, garlic powder, Worcestershire and hot sauce, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more to taste. Bring to a simmer and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve with bread sticks.
Enjoy!
And if I’m not making cauliflower bread sticks for game day grub, I’m making cauliflower wings or tots like these…
 |  |  |
And here are a few from my friends…
- Buffalo Cauliflower from Persnickety Plates
- Sweet & Sour Cauliflower Wings from Food Done Light
- Ranch Cauliflower Bites from The Gunny Sack
Want to see lots more yummy food from me and my friends, and cute pictures of my kids?
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram | StumbleUpon
Or subscribe via email to get Cupcakes & Kale Chips in your Inbox.
This post may be linked to any of these parties.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small percentage from any purchases you may make if you click on them. These companies have not contacted me. I use the stuff because I love it.
This is a brilliant recipe! I love that you used cauliflower to make the “bread”!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me recently posted…Gluten Free Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Thanks Amy! I haven’t had luck with the cauliflower pizza crust, but making it into smaller sticks totally worked!
The boyfriend absolutely loves anything with buffalo sauce. I just might have to give these a shot for the Super Bowl.
Jordan recently posted…It’s a Non-judgmental Lentil
Do it! Buffalo sauce is the best!
Okay, so these look and sound amazing and are making my mouth water here at work! I need to try them!
Miss Messy recently posted…Thai Curry Lentil Soup
Haha, yes, try them soon!
Brianne, this is so creative and brilliant! I love how you use cauliflower instead real bread and I can go wild snacking these bread sticks.
Linda | Brunch with Joy recently posted…Ovomaltine Cake #National Chocolate Cake Day
Thanks! It was fun to make and eat!
Cauliflower is so hot right now especially for a bread replacement. These are calling my name. I might need to make a triple batch!
Christie recently posted…Banana Bread Pancakes with Nutella
Definitely, because I know I could have easily eaten one by myself 🙂
who needs the bread – these look SO amazing Brianne
heather @french press recently posted…meyer lemon madeleines
Girl! THESE look to die for, amazing! I need to add this to my list of recipes to try!
Cassie recently posted…Liza Palmer Party: The Invite
My Sunday will probably look a lot like yours. I like football, I just don’t care about either team! Gahhh. These look delicious. I’ve done cauliflower pizza crust but that’s as far as my cauliflower experiments have gone. I totally want to make this!
amanda @ fake ginger recently posted…Paleo Mocha-Bacon Brownies
These look amazing! Turning the cauli crust idea into breadsticks is such a genius idea.
Joy | The Joyful Foodie recently posted…{Recipe} Cheese Stuffed Peppers with Maple Balsamic
Although I basically have no idea who’s playing tomorrow (okay, I lied, I just looked it up), we’re still watching the game and having a few families over. It’s become a tradition just to hang out with them; it’s one of the few times during the year where we all have time to get together! But if these gorgeous cheesy bread sticks made an appearance, I can pretty much guarantee that everyone would be crowded around the food table and not paying any attention to the game. 😉 Pinned!
Thanks Amy and have a fun time!