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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), establishing an ideal thermal environment for cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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