Indulge in the beloved party favorite without the guilt! Our Buffalo Cauliflower Dip offers all the satisfying zest and creaminess of the classic buffalo chicken dip, but with fewer calories and a delicious, plant-forward twist. Get ready to elevate your snack game with this irresistible vegetarian alternative.
As the anticipation for the “Big Game” builds, many of us find our thoughts drifting not just to the on-field action, but to the equally important off-field traditions: the snacks, the commercials, and the camaraderie. While the game itself captures the attention of football fanatics for hours, for many, myself included, the culinary spread takes center stage. There’s an undeniable joy in gathering around a table laden with delicious bites, making memories with friends and family.
This recipe post was sponsored by Family Fare Supermarkets; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and reflect my genuine experience.
The problem with most “football food” is its notorious reputation for being calorie-dense and heavy. Standing in front of a snack spread for three hours or more often leads to overindulgence and a subsequent food coma. This year, my mission became clear: rethink our game day snacks to create something equally satisfying but significantly lighter. I wanted a dish that would allow me to enjoy the festivities without compromising my healthy eating goals. The challenge was to deliver maximum flavor with minimal guilt, and I found the perfect solution.
There’s something inherent about watching sports that triggers an intense craving for wings, especially hot buffalo wings. The fiery kick, the tangy sauce, and the cool ranch or bleu cheese dip create a perfect symphony of flavors. My family often prefers milder BBQ wings, leaving the spicier versions all to me – a secret pleasure. For me, it’s essential to have them hot, served with a generous side of Ranch dressing for dipping, and plenty of crisp celery sticks. The celery isn’t just a garnish; it’s a vital component of the whole buffalo wing experience, offering a refreshing crunch that perfectly complements the heat.
Then there’s the legendary Buffalo Chicken Dip. Oh, how I could devour an entire bowl of that creamy, spicy goodness! It’s essentially the pure essence of buffalo wings, but without the messy bones. This classic dip instantly sparked an idea. My culinary mind started spinning, recalling a brilliant recipe I had once seen on a fellow blogger’s site for Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. At first glance, those golden-brown florets looked remarkably like hot wings, drenched in vibrant buffalo sauce and served with the exact same accompaniments. I wondered: what if this concept could be transformed into a dip? This would deliver the same satisfying, bold flavors, completely averting messy fingers and offering a delightful vegetarian option for everyone to enjoy.
With this exciting idea firmly in mind, I headed to my local Family Fare Supermarket. Their produce section is always a treasure trove of fresh, high-quality ingredients. I carefully selected a beautiful, firm head of cauliflower, along with an assortment of other vibrant fresh vegetables perfect for dipping. This dip would be a celebration of fresh produce, making it an ideal healthy choice for any gathering.
Family Fare Supermarkets are dedicated to supporting local farmers, ensuring that fresh fruits and vegetables move directly from the farm to our tables. Their expert produce buyers tirelessly source the finest selections, not only locally but also from across the United States and around the globe, to offer unparalleled variety and quality to their customers. They stand so confidently behind their produce that they provide an impressive 200% Freshness Guarantee. This means if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, they will not only refund your money but also exchange the item, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and superior product quality. It’s this dedication that makes shopping for fresh ingredients a truly rewarding experience.
With the perfect cauliflower and dipping veggies in hand, it was time to gather the remaining ingredients for my Buffalo Cauliflower Dip. This included hot wing sauce, various cheeses, and sour cream. When I shop, I often prioritize store brands, as they typically offer significant savings without compromising on taste or quality. Family Fare’s own brand, Our Family, is a prime example of this philosophy. Their extensive range of Our Family products allows me to find high-quality staples at an excellent value. For this recipe, I selected their light sour cream, Neufchatel cheese, mozzarella cheese, and their crispy Our Family tortilla chips, all contributing to a delicious and budget-friendly dip.
Family Fare stands firmly behind the quality of their Our Family brand products, backing them with a robust guarantee that underscores their commitment to excellence:
“We ensure that every product bearing the Our Family label meets or surpasses the quality of its national brand equivalent. This commitment is fortified by an industry-leading quality guarantee. Our Quality Guarantee: If you’re not satisfied with the quality of any Our Family brand product, simply return it to the store where you purchased it, and we will refund your money AND replace it with a comparable item of your preferred brand, free of charge. That is our unwavering promise. Because no matter the family, you are Our Family.”
With all the fresh and high-quality ingredients gathered, it was finally time to bring this exciting Buffalo Cauliflower Dip to life!
The first step in creating this delectable dip is preparing the star ingredient: cauliflower. Begin by tossing your cauliflower florets and chopped onion with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of pepper. This simple seasoning enhances their natural flavors before they hit the oven. Roasting them for a short while tenderizes the vegetables and brings out a wonderful depth of flavor. Be warned: the aroma of roasted cauliflower is so enticing, it’s tempting to snack on it all before it even makes it into the dip! This initial roasting step is crucial for developing the foundational taste of the dip.
Cauliflower holds a special place as one of my absolute favorite vegetables due to its incredible versatility and numerous health benefits. We frequently substitute it for potatoes in various dishes, like the incredibly satisfying Cauliflower Mash – truly a revelation! Beyond its culinary adaptability, cauliflower is a nutritional powerhouse, often dubbed a “superfood.” It’s remarkably high in essential Vitamins C, K, and B6, crucial for immune function, bone health, and metabolism. Furthermore, it’s an excellent source of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health, and provides valuable Omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. All this goodness comes with a low-calorie count, making it a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that supports overall well-being. Incorporating cauliflower into your diet is a delicious way to boost your nutrient intake and enjoy healthy eating.
Once the roasted cauliflower and onion have cooled slightly, transfer them to a food processor and pulse until they are finely minced. This creates the perfect texture for the dip, mimicking the shredded chicken of the classic version. In a separate medium bowl, use your mixer to cream the Neufchatel cheese until it’s wonderfully smooth. Then, add the hot wing sauce, light sour cream, and Ranch seasoning, mixing thoroughly until all ingredients are perfectly combined and creamy. Gently fold in the minced cauliflower and onion mixture, along with half of the mozzarella cheese, ensuring everything is well incorporated. Transfer this vibrant mixture into a shallow baking dish, spreading it evenly. For an extra kick and authentic buffalo flavor, generously top the dip with blue cheese crumbles, if desired (I certainly love them!). Bake the dip for approximately 15 minutes, allowing it to heat through and the cheeses to melt into a bubbly, irresistible topping. Garnish with fresh green onions just before serving, and enjoy warm with a colorful array of fresh vegetables and crispy tortilla chips for dipping. This dip is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Pro Tip: Enhance your dipping experience! While classic carrot sticks are always a great option, consider picking up some pre-cut carrot chips for a fun, convenient, and visually appealing alternative!
For more culinary inspiration, valuable coupons, and fantastic ways to save with their Yes Rewards program, be sure to visit the Family Fare Supermarkets website. Don’t miss out on savings and community engagement by following their Yes Rewards Savings Facebook Page and connecting with Family Fare on Instagram. They offer a wealth of resources to help you make the most of your shopping and cooking experiences.
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Print Recipe
Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
5 mins
45 mins
50 mins
8 -10
215kcal
Michaela Kenkel
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized head of cauliflower broken into florets
- 1 small yellow onion cut in chunks
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/4 teaspoon each Salt and Pepper
- 1/3 cup Frank’s Hot Wing Sauce you can add more if you want it spicier
- 5 ounces Neutchatel Cheese
- 1 cup Light Sour Cream
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Ranch Seasoning
- 1 cup Low fat Mozzarella cheese divided
- Bleu Cheese crumbles if desired
- Sliced green onion for garnish
- For Serving: Celery sticks Carrot chips, bell pepper slices and tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Toss cauliflower and onion in a gallon sized bag with olive oil and salt and pepper. Spread over parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Remove from oven, cool slightly.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
- Add cauliflower and onion to food processor and pulse until minced.
- In a medium bowl with your mixer, cream Neutchatel cheese until smooth. Add in sour cream, hot wing sauce and Ranch seasoning and mix until combined. Add in cauliflower, onions and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix until incorporated.
- Spread into a small shallow baking dish. Top with remaining Mozzarella and Bleu cheese crumbles if desired.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until dip is heated through.
- Garnish with sliced green onion. Serve warm with veggies and tortilla chips for dipping.
Nutrition
Calories: 215kcal |
Carbohydrates: 10g |
Protein: 10g |
Fat: 16g |
Saturated Fat: 8g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g |
Cholesterol: 35mg |
Sodium: 453mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 3g
Get ready to dive into this incredible dip! This Buffalo Cauliflower Dip proved to be absolutely wonderful with every dipper imaginable – from crunchy bell pepper slices and crisp carrot chips to classic tortilla chips. However, for me, the celery sticks remained the ultimate pairing. Dipping celery into the creamy, spicy cauliflower dip truly replicated the full “hot wings experience” I crave, offering that perfect refreshing counterpoint to the heat. If you fall in love with this dip, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy exploring other buffalo cauliflower creations, such as these Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Pockets, which offer a delightful portable twist on the same great flavors.
Looking for more amazing dip recipes to complete your spread? I’ve got you covered with a treasure trove of delicious options!
