| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 398 | 23g | 8g | 36g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 6g | 12g | 1.2g |
Why I Love American Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Ranch Dressing
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Ranch Dressing – a fusion dish that has quickly warmed its way into my heart, and soon, your kitchen! Think classic southern cuisine meets modern, plant-based indulgence. As someone who’s always keen on taking traditional recipes and giving them a twist, this twist will leave you eager for seconds.
The Inspiration
While this recipe drifts from my Southern tradition, I think it’s important to explore different cuisines, and what better way than to bring a delicious vegan-friendly alternative inspired by the American classic, Buffalo wings? It was actually Food Network’s star Bobby Flay who, known for his love for bold flavors and grilling masterpieces, inspired me to play around with the strong flavors of a classic buffalo sauce.
What Makes This Recipe Unique
The Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Ranch Dressing is quite a mouthful, literally and figuratively! The cauliflower florets, seasoned to perfection with taco seasoning and enveloped in a layer of buffalo sauce, are an unforgettable experience for your tastebuds. But what distinguishes this dish from others, is the combination of the spicy buffalo sauce with the creamy, homemade Avocado Ranch Dressing. It bridges the heat with freshness, creating a remarkable and balanced flavor you will relish.
Perfect Pairings
No meal, of course, is complete without its sidekicks. And let me tell you a thing or two about perfect pairings! This recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted or grilled corn on the cob, a fresh salsa and guacamole, or try it with a side of sweet potato fries for a bit of sweet, salty, and spicy harmony. For those who enjoy pairing their foods with a nice drink, a cold iced tea or a light lager will complement the flavors beautifully.
What You’ll Need
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup milk (any bagged milk, almond or oat milk)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Buffalo hot sauce
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 12 small flour tortillas
- 1 pack of taco seasoning mix
- 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese
For the Avocado Ranch Dressing:
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Method
Step One
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until well combined. In another bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Step Two
Dip each cauliflower floret into the milk and flour mixture, ensuring each piece is well coated. Then, dip the floret into the panko breadcrumbs to cover. Repeat this process until all the cauliflower is coated.
Step Three
Place the breaded cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Step Four
While the cauliflower is baking, combine the Buffalo hot sauce and melted butter in a large bowl. Remove the cauliflower from the oven and gently toss in the Buffalo sauce mixture until all pieces are covered.
Step Five
Return the cauliflower to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
Step Six
While the cauliflower finish baking, start preparing the tacos. Warm up the tortillas and rub each with taco seasoning mix.
Step Seven
Once the cauliflower is ready, assemble the tacos. Add a few pieces of the Buffalo cauliflower onto each tortilla. Top with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and blue cheese.
Step Eight
For the Avocado Ranch Dressing, blend together the avocado, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Drizzle this dressing over the assembled tacos.
Step Nine
Serve your Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Ranch Dressing immediately and enjoy!
