This buffalo cauliflower chopped salad is full of crispy buffalo cauliflower, lots of crunchy veggies, spices and herbs, and topped with the creamiest hemp seed ranch dressing. Buffalo sauce isn’t just for wings! It works amazingly with cauliflower and adds a little fun to this salad!
How to make buffalo cauliflower chopped salad
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower – for the buffalo cauliflower! The star of the recipe!
- Veggies: Romaine, arugula, red onion, grape tomatoes, celery, cucumber – for the salad
- Spices: Nutritional yeast (optional), sea salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried parsley – for the cauliflower and dressing
- Buffalo hot sauce: Franks Red Hot is my favorite! – for the cauliflower
- Hemp seeds: This is the base of our ranch dressing and adds an amazing nutritional profile and sight nutty-like flavor!
- Non-dairy milk – for the salad dressing
- Sour cream or plain greek yogurt: I like to use Forager sour cream for a dairy-free option. It makes the dressing extra creamy!
Airy Fryer buffalo cauliflower
Arguably the best part about this salad is the buffalo cauliflower. You can make it in the air fryer for a super quick & easy option but it
My Our Place air fryer oven is my favorite (and SO cute!). I also had this Ninja Airy Fryer for years and it was amazing, as well.
If you don’t have an air fryer, this can also be baked in the oven. Simply follower the same steps and then bake in the oven at 450F for 20 or so minutes.
Hemp seed ranch
This hemp seed ranch is my favorite! It’s full of flavor, much like typical ranch, while being packed full of nutrient-dense ingredients. It works well on almost any salad or drizzled over roasted veggies! It’d taste amazing on this roasted brussels sprouts salad or this roasted broccoli salad!
Assembling the buffalo cauliflower chopped salad with hemp seed ranch
- Make the cauliflower: Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Add to a bowl with the buffalo sauce, ghee or olive oil, and spices. Toss well. Spread the florets out in your air fryer basket or baking sheet. Air fry on 350F for 15-20 minutes, tossing half way through until crispy. If your air fryer isn’t as powerful, you can up the heat!
- Make the dressing: Blend all of the ingrefients in a blender until smooth. Taste and adjust as needed. Store the dressing in a mason jar or air-tight container in the fridge until ready to use.
- Chop the veggies: While the cauliflower is baking, chop the veg!
- Assemble the salad: Add the chopped lettuce and veggies to your bowl. Top with the cauliflower. Drizzle over the dressing. Enjoy!
faq’s
- Can you make this salad ahead of time? Yes! I prefer this salad right away as the warm, crispy cauliflower adds a great texture element to the salad and I prefer my cauliflower warm, but you can refrigerate the salad and serve later on. The cauliflower just won’t be crispy!
- How to store leftover buffalo cauliflower salad: Store the hemp seed dressing separate from the actual salad. I like to store mine in an air-tight container in the fridge. The salad can also be stored in a large container with a lid. When ready to eat, add the dressing and enjoy.
More Healthy meals to try
- Vegan Roasted Broccoli Caesar Salad
- Copycat sweetgreen crispy rice bowl
- Tahini Caesar Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Cava harissa avocado bowl
- Healthy pot pie soup
- Roasted veggie plates with garlic tahini yogurt
- French onion spaghetti squash
Buffalo Cauliflower Chopped Salad with Hemp Seed Ranch
This buffalo cauliflower chopped salad is full of crispy buffalo cauliflower, lots of crunchy veggies, spices and herbs, and topped with the creamiest hemp seed ranch dressing. Buffalo sauce isn't just for wings! It works amazingly with cauliflower and adds a little fun to this salad!
Ingredients
Buffalo Cauliflower
- 1 small head cauliflower
- 1 1/2 tbsp tapioca flour *or arrowroot flour. Can also use cornstarch
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp melted ghee or olive oil
- pinch sea salt & pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika *optional
Hemp seed ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
- 1 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast *optional but so good!
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Forager sour cream *or regular sour cream or greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- good pinch black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder and onion powder
- 3-4 tbsp plant-based milk, as needed
Salad
- 1/2 red onion, diced thin
- 1/2 cup chopped grape tomatoes
- 3ish cups chopped greens (romaine, arugula)
- 1 medium cucumber, diced small
- 2 celery stalks, diced small *optional
- Protein of choice *Optional. Chickpeas, rotisserie chicken, air fryer salmon, etc.
- chopped chives, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
Buffalo Cauliflower
- Cut the cauliflower into tiny florets. Add them to a large bowl.
- Drizzle over the ghee or olive oil, spices, and buffalo suace. Toss well. Then sprinkle over the tapioca flour and toss again.
- Spread the cauliflower out in your air fryer basket (i like to put parchment paper down) and air fry on 375F for 15ish minutes, flipping half way through, until crispy. Some air fryers are stronger than others so I always recommend a lower heat setting on recipes. However, if your cauliflower isn't done, up the heat a little and cook longer.
- Oven: Spread the cauliflower out on your baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 450F for 20 or so minutes, flipping half way.
Hemp seed ranch dressing
- Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth. You may want to add more milk to make it thinner, or less milk to keep it thick. It's up to your preference! Start with the lesser amount and adjust. Taste and adjust as you'd like. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Assembling the Salad
- Add the lettuce and chopped veggies to your bowl. Top with the cauliflower. Drizzle over the dressing. I Like to add some chopped chives on top of mine or some fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
*For extra protein, add your favorite! Grilled chicken, tofu, chickpeas, grilled salmon, etc! *Dressing will last a week in the fridge!
