5 Alarm Buffalo Brussels Sprouts

If you like heat, then you’ll love these red hot Buffalo Brussels Sprouts. The sprouts are dipped and baked in a chickpea batter, then doused in your favorite hot sauce (I like to use organic habanero sauce).

They’re fun to eat, but be warned… They’re hot! So don’t forget to make the cashew dill dressing to cool them down.

Here are some of the benefits:

Brussels sprouts aid in detoxification and provide various nutrients and antioxidants, including iron, calcium, and B vitamins.

Chile peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that might promote weight loss – especially of hard-to-lose belly fat – by increasing energy expenditure after consumption.

Cashews contain a variety of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which support bone health.

Here’s the recipe.

Buffalo Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients: Serves 4-6

BRUSSELS SPROUTS
½ cup coconut milk, or nondairy milk of choice
½ cup sprouted chickpea flour
1 pound (16 oz) Brussels sprouts, small to medium sized

BUFFALO SAUCE
2 ¾ tsp. avocado oil or ghee
3 Tbsp. hot sauce
½ tsp. coconut aminos
½ tsp. apple cider vinegar
¼ tsp. garlic powder

CASHEW-DILL DIPPING SAUCE
½ cup raw cashews, soaked in filtered water at least 1 hour
2 Tbsp. cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
½ tsp. dried dill
¼ tsp. pink salt, or more to taste

Instructions:

Set the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

First, make the Brussels sprouts: Combine the coconut milk and chickpea flour in a medium sized bowl. Set aside to thicken up while you prepare the Brussels sprouts. Remove the stem end and any loose outer leaves, then slice in half.

Once all Brussels sprouts are cut, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip each Brussels sprout in the batter to thoroughly coat, then place on the parchment paper, cut side up. Repeat until you’re done, leaving a little space in between each sprout, so they don’t stick. Cook for 22 minutes. (Add 1-2 minutes if using very large sprouts).

Meanwhile, make the buffalo sauce: If using avocado oil, simply add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk together with a fork until well combined. If using ghee, in a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the ghee until it melts, then stir in the rest of the ingredients and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

Then make the cashew dipping sauce: Combine all ingredients in a bullet blender and blend until a uniformly thick and creamy consistency forms. You can thin it out, if desired, with a little extra water or oil, 1 teaspoon at a time.

When the Brussels are out of the oven, use a spatula to release them from the paper, and push them all towards middle of the pan. Pour the buffalo sauce over them, then use two spoons to mix well and make sure they are evenly coated. Then, lay them out flat again (it doesn’t matter if they are touching at this point). Return to the oven for 7-8 minutes.

Serve the sprouts with the cashew dill dipping sauce.

Author: Maria Marlowe is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who has helped thousands of people improve their health by optimizing their diet. She has created meal plans and programs to help you lose weight, clear up acne, and spend less time in the kitchen yet still eat healthy.

She has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, NBC, Well + Good, and more. Her first book, The Real Food Grocery Guide, will teach you how to eat healthy without going broke.