Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs Recipe for Game Day

Vibrant and packed with protein, these buffalo cauliflower quinoa meatballs bring a zesty twist to classic comfort food.

Spicy buffalo sauce coats each tender morsel, creating an irresistible appetizer or main dish.

The combination of roasted cauliflower and hearty quinoa delivers a satisfying plant-based alternative to traditional meatballs.

Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, these meatballs pack a punch of flavor in every bite.

Vegans and meat-lovers alike will appreciate the bold, tangy kick that makes these meatballs stand out.

Serve them as a crowd-pleasing party snack or a protein-rich dinner centerpiece that’s sure to impress.

Get ready to elevate your meal with this mouthwatering, nutrient-dense recipe that proves healthy eating can be absolutely delicious.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25-30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45-50 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Buffalo Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs

• Quinoa: Protein-packed grain that provides structure and nutty flavor to meatballs, choose organic for best quality.
• Water: Essential for cooking quinoa and creating perfect moisture level.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates cohesive texture and helps hold meatballs together, whole wheat varieties offer extra nutrition.
• Flour: Optional binding agent that enhances meatball consistency, works well with gluten-free alternatives.

• Cauliflower: Adds vegetable nutrition and subtle sweetness, select fresh and firm heads with compact florets.
• Garlic Cloves: Provides robust, pungent undertone that elevates overall taste, choose firm cloves without sprouts.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces Mediterranean herbal notes, look for vibrant green color indicating freshness.

• Hot Sauce: Delivers signature tangy and spicy kick, select your preferred heat level from mild to extra hot.
• Dairy-Free Butter: Creates smooth, rich sauce base with creamy consistency, opt for high-quality plant-based versions.
• Garlic Powder: Intensifies sauce's savory profile, ensure it's free-flowing without clumps.
• Chili Powder: Adds depth and subtle warmth to buffalo sauce, choose pure ground chili for authentic flavor.

Tools to Shape Buffalo Cauliflower Meatballs

• Food Processor: Essential for pulsing cauliflower into fine pieces without much effort.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning meatballs and creating a golden crispy exterior.
• Baking Sheet: Helps finish cooking meatballs evenly in the oven.
• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to combine cauliflower, quinoa, and other ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient portions.
• Pot: Needed for cooking quinoa and cauliflower separately.
• Spatula: Great for mixing ingredients and transferring meatballs.
• Microwave or Stovetop: Used for melting butter and preparing buffalo sauce.

How to Cook Buffalo Cauliflower Meatballs

• Oven Warmup

Set the oven temperature to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect cozy environment for your culinary adventure.

• Quinoa and Cauliflower Prep

Simmer quinoa in water until fluffy and tender. Steam cauliflower separately until it’s soft and ready to transform into something magical.

• Spicy Sauce Creation

Melt a creamy butter substitute and whisk in zesty hot sauce with a sprinkle of garlic and chili powders. This sauce will bring the heat and excitement to your dish.

• Veggie Blending

Pulse cauliflower with garlic in a food processor, creating a smooth and fragrant base. Mix in the cooked quinoa, adding breadcrumbs and herbs for texture and depth.

• Meatball Shaping

Chill the mixture briefly to help it stick together. Gently roll into bite-sized spheres, using a bit of flour if the mixture feels too wet.

• Cooking Magic

Sear the meatballs in a sizzling skillet until they develop a golden-brown crust. Brush with remaining spicy sauce and finish in the oven until perfectly crisp and heated through.

Tips for Buffalo Quinoa Meatballs

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Sauce Intensity Adjustment: Control the heat level by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce. Mild lovers can reduce hot sauce, while spice enthusiasts can add extra for a fiery kick.
• Crispy Coating Hack: Roll meatballs in panko breadcrumbs before cooking to achieve an extra crunchy exterior that adds delightful texture and golden-brown color.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate plant-based protein like chickpea flour or nutritional yeast to enhance the nutritional profile and create a more substantial meatball texture.
• Storage Savvy: These meatballs freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in an airtight container and reheat directly from frozen for a quick meal option.
• Dipping Delight: Serve with cool ranch, blue cheese, or yogurt-based dips to balance the buffalo sauce's spiciness and provide a creamy contrast.

Serve Buffalo Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs with Sauce

• Zesty Party Platter: Arrange these spicy buffalo cauliflower quinoa meatballs on a large wooden board with colorful toothpicks, surrounded by crisp celery sticks and cool ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for game day gatherings.
• Cool Comfort Bowl: Serve the meatballs over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or cauliflower rice, drizzling extra buffalo sauce on top and garnishing with fresh chopped green onions for a comforting and satisfying meal that balances heat and creaminess.
• Fresh Salad Companion: Nestle these protein-packed meatballs atop a crisp mixed green salad with cucumber slices, avocado chunks, and a light ranch dressing, creating a nutritious and flavorful lunch option that's both filling and refreshing.
• Wrap Adventure: Stuff the meatballs into warm whole wheat tortillas with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of cooling yogurt sauce, transforming them into a handheld meal that's perfect for quick lunches or casual dinners.

How to Store Buffalo Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your buffalo cauliflower quinoa meatballs in an airtight container within the refrigerator. These delicious bites will stay fresh for 3-4 days, maintaining their robust flavor and texture when properly sealed.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual meatballs in parchment paper, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They'll remain delicious for up to 2 months. Simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Wisdom: Revive cold meatballs by warming them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. This method helps restore their crispy exterior and keeps the inside tender. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy textures.
• Portion Planning: Prepare larger batches and divide meatballs into meal-sized portions. This technique saves time during busy weekdays and ensures you always have a quick, nutritious meal ready to enjoy. Label containers with preparation dates for easy tracking.

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling buffalo cauliflower quinoa meatballs deliver spicy comfort with unexpected plant-based protein. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering zesty flavor that satisfies without compromising taste or nutrition.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cauliflower head
• 1 cup (240 ml) uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups (480 ml) water
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¾ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1–2 tbsps flour (whole wheat, all-purpose, or oat)
• ½ cup (120 ml) hot sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml) dairy-free butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp chili powder

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), establishing an ideal thermal environment for cooking.
2. Ingredient Foundation: Cook quinoa according to package instructions and steam cauliflower until tender. Process cauliflower with garlic cloves into a uniform texture, transferring the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
3. Sauce Crafting: Melt dairy-free butter and whisk together with hot sauce, garlic powder, and chili powder, creating a vibrant buffalo sauce with robust flavor profiles.
4. Mixture Assembly: Combine processed cauliflower, cooked quinoa, breadcrumbs, dried oregano, and half the buffalo sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Briefly chill the mixture to enhance structural cohesion.
5. Meatball Formation: Shape the mixture into uniform golf ball-sized portions. If the mixture seems too loose, gradually incorporate flour for optimal binding. Sear the meatballs in a lightly oiled skillet, rotating to develop a golden, crisp exterior.
6. Final Transformation: Brush the remaining buffalo sauce over the seared meatballs. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven, allowing flavors to intensify and exterior to achieve a perfectly crisp finish.

Notes

• Preheat Precisely: Set oven to 375°F for consistent cooking and optimal flavor development.
• Process Carefully: Pulse cauliflower in batches to achieve uniform texture, preventing over-processing that could create mushy consistency.
• Bind Strategically: Add flour gradually if mixture seems loose, ensuring meatballs hold together without becoming dense or dry.
• Sauce with Finesse: Apply buffalo sauce in layers – during mixing and final brushing – to build deep, complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 25-30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg