Buffalo Cauliflower Dip

Name: Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tsp honey; 2 TBSP water; 1/2 tsp garlic; 2 tbsp vinegar; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp olive oil; 1/4 tsp Franks Red Hot Original Seasoning; 1 cup chopped frozen cauliflower; 2 ounce reduced fat cream cheese; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, part skim; 8 celery sticks; 12 baby carrots

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Looking for a delicious appetizer for two? Search no more, this quick and easy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip will be a staple for your needs because it's easy and very kidney friendly, low sodium, and full of flavor.

Why You'll Love this Buffalo Cauliflower Dip Recipe

This recipe uses Franks Red Hot Seasoning (instead of the liquid which is full of sodium) and makes a zingy flavor in your mouth to remind you what a little bit spicy tastes like. I love that you can have a spicy meal starter and incorporate cauliflower dip into your day. I love it as part of this St. Patrick's Day Meal.

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Why You'll Love this Buffalo Cauliflower Dip Recipe
Ingredients For Roasted Cauliflower Dip
Instructions
Substitutions for Cauliflower Dip Recipe
Equipment
Storage
Top tip
FAQ about Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
Related
Recipe

Ingredients For Roasted Cauliflower Dip

This is the perfect serving size for 2 people as a meal starter. It's vegetarian, but not a vegan buffalo cauliflower dip.

Cauliflower - a great base for this dip, it is low in potassium and phosphorus and adds fiber to the dish.
Low Fat Cream Cheese - adds delicious creaminess to the recipe and gives a feeling of richness of the appetizer
Celery and Carrots - I love to buy baby carrots and I could dip them into this roasted cauliflower dip all day
Spices - the Franks Red Hot Dry Seasoning and the Red Pepper Flakes make this just spicy enough to leave a bit of a zesty taste in your mouth.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step by step instructions on how to make Buffalo Cauliflower Dip are included below with pictures to make sure you know what to do. Using a blender makes it super fast and super easy.

Heat oven to 425' F, line a large baking sheet with foil. Spread the cauliflower out on the baking sheet, and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to combine until the cauliflower is evenly coated. Spread out evenly and season with pepper, and bake for 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is slightly charred around the edges. Remove from oven.

2. Add honey, water, garlic, vinegar, Frank's Red Hot Seasoning, and red pepper flakes to a blender. Once cauliflower is baked, remove from oven. Lower oven temperature to 350' F. Add cauliflower to the blender and add cream cheese, mozzarella cheese to the blender.

3. Blend until combined for a smooth dip, stopping and scraping sides of blender.

4. 6. Transfer to a small oven proof pan, and bake until mixture is bubbling and sides are just starting to brown, about 25-30 minutes.

Hint: Use a small dish to give a thicker portion. Find an oven proof pan or Pyrex dish that would be perfect for this size.

Substitutions for Cauliflower Dip Recipe

If you want to substitute some items in the dip but continue to make it kidney friendly here are some ideas:

Greek Yogurt - if you don't like cream cheese or need extra protein, you can sub out the low fat cream cheese for Greek yogurt.
Hummus + Nutritional Yeast - You can make the meal vegan if you replace the cream cheese with hummus and the cheese with nutritional yeast. Just watch the sodium.
Bell Pepper and Cucumbers - You can also use bell pepper slices and cucumber slices to dip if you want to add some more variety and color.

Equipment

Equipment I used in this recipe that might not be something you have was a blender. I use a blender in a lot of my recipes and I think this is a good one for use in the kitchen.

Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender with 1000-Watt Base and Total Crushing Technology for Smoothies, Ice and Frozen Fruit, Black, 9.5 in L x 7.5 in W x 17 in H

$69.99

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Storage

Storing your buffalo cauliflower dip properly is essential to maintain its freshness and ensure it remains safe to eat. Here are some tips for storing this appetizer effectively:

Immediate Storage

Cool Quickly: After preparing the dip, allow it to cool to room temperature quickly to minimize the time it spends in the temperature danger zone (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria can grow rapidly.
Airtight Container: Transfer the dip into an airtight container. This helps to keep out contaminants and moisture, preserving the dip's texture and flavor.
Refrigerate Promptly: Place the dip in the refrigerator as soon as it has cooled. Keeping the dip cold will slow the growth of bacteria.

Refrigeration

Temperature: Ensure your refrigerator is set to 40°F (4°C) or below. This temperature slows bacterial growth and helps keep your dip safe to eat.
Shelf Life: Buffalo cauliflower dip should be consumed within 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. The presence of dairy (cream cheese and mozzarella) and the cooked cauliflower means it won't last as long as store-bought dips with preservatives.

Freezing (If Applicable)

Freezability: Not all dips freeze well, especially those with dairy components like cream cheese and mozzarella, which can separate or become grainy once thawed. However, if you decide to freeze the dip, here's how:
- Freeze in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- Label with the date to keep track of how long it's been stored.
- Use within 1-2 months for best quality.
Thawing: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Be aware that the texture may change upon thawing due to the dairy components. Stir well after thawing to reintegrate the ingredients as much as possible.

Serving After Storage

Reheating: If you prefer to serve the dip warm, reheat it in a microwave or on the stove over low heat until it reaches your desired temperature. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Make sure it reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.
Stir Well: After storage, ingredients may separate or settle. Stir the dip well before serving to mix everything back together.

Safety Tips

Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use clean utensils when serving the dip to prevent introducing bacteria into the entire batch.
Don't Leave Out Too Long: When serving, don't leave the dip out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If in a hot environment (above 90°F or 32°C), reduce this time to 1 hour.

By following these storage and safety tips, you can enjoy your buffalo cauliflower dip while minimizing the risk of foodborne illness and ensuring the best possible taste and texture.

Top tip

I like to cook it until it's bubbly on the edges and a little bit crunchy on the edges

FAQ about Buffalo Cauliflower Dip

Is buffalo cauliflower dip gluten-free?

It can be, depending on the ingredients used. Most of the primary ingredients in buffalo cauliflower dip are naturally gluten-free, including cauliflower, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spices. However, always check the labels of packaged ingredients like hot sauce and seasonings to ensure they don't contain gluten or were processed in a facility with gluten-containing products. For strict gluten-free cooking, use certified gluten-free ingredients.

Why is it called "Buffalo Cauliflower"?

The term "Buffalo" in "Buffalo Cauliflower" comes from the Buffalo-style sauce traditionally used in the preparation of Buffalo chicken wings. This sauce is a spicy, tangy mixture originally from Buffalo, New York, which is where the name comes from. The sauce typically includes a base of hot sauce (often Frank's Red Hot sauce), melted butter, vinegar, and sometimes Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, or other seasonings. When applied to cauliflower, the intention is to mimic the flavor profile of Buffalo wings, offering a vegetarian or vegan alternative that captures the essence of the original dish's spicy and tangy taste. Thus, "Buffalo Cauliflower" refers to cauliflower florets that are either baked, fried, or air-fried until crispy and then tossed in or served with Buffalo sauce.

What to Do if Buffalo Dip is Too Spicy

If you've made a Buffalo dip and find it too spicy for your liking, there are several ways to tone down the heat:
Add More Dairy: Dairy products like cream cheese, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt can help balance the heat due to their fat content, which helps to dilute capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot. Adding more of these ingredients to your dip can make it creamier and less spicy.
Incorporate Avocado: Mashed avocado is another great way to reduce spiciness. Its creamy texture and mild flavor can help to mellow out the heat while adding a nutritious twist to your dip.
Use Coconut Milk: A bit of coconut milk can also help tame the spice while adding a slight sweetness and creamy texture. This is especially useful if you're making a vegan version of the dip.
Increase Non-Spicy Ingredients: Simply increasing the amount of non-spicy ingredients in the dip, such as adding more cauliflower, can dilute the overall spiciness. This method allows you to keep the flavor profile intact while making the dip less intense.
Add Sweeteners: A touch of sweetness can counteract the heat. Consider stirring in a small amount of honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. This is a delicate balance, as you don't want the dip to become overly sweet.
Lemon or Lime Juice: The acidity from lemon or lime juice can help neutralize some of the spice. Add a little at a time and taste as you go.
Serve with Cooling Sides: If the dip is already made and you're looking for a quick fix, serve it with sides that can help mitigate the heat, such as celery sticks, cucumber slices, or even slices of bread. These can provide a refreshing contrast to the spicy dip.
Remember, when adjusting the spiciness of your dip, add your mitigating ingredients gradually and taste as you go to ensure you reach the perfect balance for your palate.

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