Recipe

Imagine golden, ridiculously crunchy cauliflower bites that taste like bar-food heaven — but they’re baked (or air-fried), loaded with sharp cheddar, and completely addictive. These are the wings that vegetarians, kids, and hardcore carnivores fight over at every party. Spicy, cheesy, zero guilt.

The secret to that over-the-top crunch and cheesy pull? A generous shower of freshly grated cheddar that melts and crisps at the same time. A quick spin with the Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater gives you perfect fluffy shreds in moments — no scraped knuckles, just pure cheesy magic.

🧀Ingredients (Serves 4–6 as appetizer)

1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

2 eggs (or ½ cup milk for egg-free)

1½ cups panko breadcrumbs

1½ cups sharp cheddar, freshly grated

½ cup grated Parmesan

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp cayenne or buffalo seasoning (optional heat)

Salt & black pepper

Cooking spray or olive oil

Ranch, buffalo sauce, or honey for dipping

🔥Step-by-Step: Crunch in Every Bite

Blanch the Cauliflower

Drop florets into boiling salted water for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water. Pat completely dry — dry = ultra crispy!

Shred the Cheese

Lock your hand crank cheese grater on the counter (suction base = no sliding!).

Pop in the coarse blade → crank the sharp cheddar into fluffy piles.

Switch to the fine blade → quickly shred the Parmesan.

Freshly grated melts and crisps way better than pre-shredded!

Set Up Dipping Stations

Bowl 1: Whisk eggs (or milk) with a pinch of salt

Bowl 2: Mix panko, your shredded cheddar & Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt & pepper

Coat Like a Pro

Dip each floret in egg, let excess drip, then roll and press firmly into the cheesy panko mix — pack it thick for maximum crunch!

Bake or Air-Fry

Single layer on a lined sheet or air-fryer basket, light oil spray.

Bake 425°F (220°C) 20–25 min or air-fry 400°F, shaking halfway, until deep golden.

Serve Hot

Pile high, hit with buffalo sauce or honey, and watch them disappear!

🌶️Tips & Twists

Extra Spicy –** Toss finished wings with more hot sauce

Garlic Lover – Add garlic powder to the dip

Blue Cheese Vibes – Swap half the cheddar for blue cheese shreds

Make Ahead – Coat and refrigerate up to 4 hours before baking

Gluten-Free – Use GF panko

🥦Conclusion: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser

These Crispy Cheddar Cauliflower Wings are proof that vegetables can absolutely steal the show. One bite of that molten, perfectly fluffy cheddar crust (made possible by the mandoline slicer for kitchen’s fresh, cloud-like shreds) and you’ll be hooked for life.