Do I have any sports fans out there, or faux-sports fans who just like to eat the yummy snacks that come with sports? (I'm raising my hand, you just can't see it). It's true – my Dad used to take me to the odd Raptors game once in a while and one of my favourite things was the noshing that went down beforehand at a local pub.

Now that things have changed a bit – my Dad no longer takes me to games and takes my twin sister instead (teasing, Dad!). That, and I've realized that there are better options to fuel myself off of rather than chicken wings and chicken fingers. I know, sad tale. I used to love chicken fingers!

But guess what – I have a brand spankin' new recipe that's going to fuel you up and satisfy any cravings for your traditional sports fan food – Buffalo Cauliflower Wings! With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, having a healthy line up of snacks is going to be crucial. In a time where it suddenly becomes socially acceptable to put double the cheese, cream and bacon on everything, we need to whip out our healthy back up dishes!

If you think I'm crazy, get this – a few years ago I completed a Whole 30 (a strict paleo diet for 30 days) which just so happened to run over the time of the Super Bowl. I wasn't going to let the reality that I couldn't throw back beer and crunch down on nachos stop me. I ended up making a complete Whole 30 compliant paleo Super Bowl spread filled with Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, Sweet Potato Nachos and Guacamole and Veggie Sticks. I felt so satiated and fulfilled that I wasn't even upset that I couldn't indulge on the other fromage-smothered items. All that to say, don't be afraid to whip this dish out with your pals this weekend. I think you'll surprise yourself when you hear their feedback!

You're also probably wondering why a faux sports fan like me is writing about the perfect Super Bowl side dish, and to that I say, there are a few reasons …

1. I was the defending champ of a Girl's Fantasy Football League in 2016 until my sister took over the title this year (I retired after my first season. Yes, conveniently).

2. Whether you like sports or not, you will be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.3. Who doesn't love another reason for deliciously healthy snacks?!

And so, I present to you, my Buffalo Cauliflower Wings! Happy Super Bowl! Go ________ (insert your team name here)!

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Ingredients

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

1 head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup hot sauce

Dairy-Free Blue Cheese Dip

1/2 cup cashews, soaked
3/4 cup coconut cream
3 tbsp lemon, freshly squeezed
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp tahini

Directions

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Preheat oven to 450 F. Wash and cut cauliflower into small florets. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together brown rice flour and water. Dip each floret of cauliflower in the batter (making sure it's covered as much as possible) and organize onto baking sheet.
Bake for ~15 minutes until batter hardens slightly.
Prepare another bowl with hot sauce and olive oil. Mix together and set aside.
Remove cauliflower from oven and paint with hot sauce mixture using a pastry brush. Place back in oven for another 10 minutes or so. Remove from oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes.

Dairy-Free Blue Cheese Dip

Soak cashews in water for 6 hours or overnight. Strain water and set cashews aside.
Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender for less than 10 seconds. You want to blend it but not overland it. There should be a few chunks [of cashews] which will give it that blue cheese dip feel.*Note: For those who love a traditional Blue Cheese Dip, this recipe may not blow your mind. It is a variation of a blue cheese dip, but it's likely better intended for those who don't mind a taste/texture variation for the sake of health :) Just saying!

What's your favourite Super Bowl dish? Post it below!