How to Make a Plant Based Buffalo Bowl:

The thing I love the most about using buffalo sauce as the main flavor in these plant based buffalo bowls is that it satisfies everyone, whether they shy away from spicy foods or search for it, buffalo flavored dishes will make everyone happy.

This is especially true in a dish like plant based buffalo bowls where individuals get to costume make their bowls, meaning extra hot buffalo sauce can be added to increase the heat level or extra cooling ranch or fatty avocado can be added to cut the heat. What I love the most about the dish as a whole is the amount of different textures that come into play. There is starchiness from the quinoa or carb of choice, crunchiness from the shredded vegetables and roasted chickpeas, creaminess from the ranch, and melt in your mouth cauliflower that is coated in a sticky, delicious, buffalo sauce. These bowls are the perfect dish for a dinner party because it is a fun way for everyone involved in the cooking process by allowing guests to build their own bowls. From the fresh vegetables to the salty chickpeas to the mild hot sauce, you are sure to impress anyone these bowls are served to. 

Plant Based Buffalo Bowl Variations

Not only is this dish delicious but it is a plant based meal that does not leave people missing meat as the center of the dish. In today’s society, a main goal is to “hide vegetables” within a dish to get children and adults more inclined to eat them and this dish does that perfectly. By coating cauliflower with the familiar flavor of buffalo sauce, it does not matter that a vegetable is taking the place of chicken because the desired flavor is achieved. With that being said, having meat as a center for a dish is important to many people and that should be acknowledged. Using this same recipe but doing half buffalo cauliflower and half buffalo chicken is a fabulous way to make the meal meat based without losing the added vegetable. Buffalo bowls are so delicious and versatile so it is guaranteed to become a staple in your household.   

Nutrition Facts and Tips for Plant Based Buffalo Bowls

*protein packed from chicken chickpeas, avocados, bacon and greek yogurt* 

*variety of vegetables to get numerous types of vitamins and minerals* 

*everything can be made ahead of time and stores well* 

*both sauces (buffalo and ranch) can be bought instead of made* 

Cauliflower:

• • High in vitamin C but also contains a wide range of important vitamins and minerals
  • Good source of folate which helps convert carbohydrates into energy, make red & white bloods and produce DNA & RNA 
    • important to have adequate amounts during times of rapid growth like pregnancy 
  • Fat and cholesterol free
  • Low in calories and carbohydrates 
  • Good source of fiber 

Quinoa:

• • • Great source of plant based protein and fiber 
      • 8 grams of complete protein
        • Difficult to find in a plant based protein
      • 5 grams fiber
    • Whole grain

How to use the buffalo bowl leftovers throughout the week in new and creative ways

Simple Snack 

• Carrots 
• Cucumbers 
• Buffalo cauliflower 
• Ranch for dipping 

Breakfast Burritos 

• Leftover quinoa or eggs 
• cabbage 
• Buffalo cauliflower 
• Bacon 
• Cheese  
• Leftover ranch for dipping 

Spinach Salad 

• Pepitas 
• Spinach 
• Carrots 
• Cucumbers 
• Roasted chickpeas
• Buffalo cauliflower
• Quinoa 
• Avocado ranch (blend avocados into leftover ranch) 

Looking for other healthy buffalo flavored recipes, try:

Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash

Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato

Recipe Development: Jane Daum Dietetics Student