Dave’s Cauliflower Menu Calories and Protein
Official Dave’s NOT Chicken nutrition for cauliflower tenders, sliders, bites and combos, including calories, protein and allergen reminders.
Dave’s NOT Chicken line uses cauliflower in place of the regular chicken filling. That can be a welcome menu choice for someone looking for a meat-free main ingredient. But cauliflower is not a magic shortcut to a low-calorie meal. Once it is breaded, fried and served with a bun, sauce and fries, the finished food can be substantial. Dave’s official chart has its own rows for NOT Chicken numbered meals, single sliders and bites. Those numbers should be used instead of copying chicken nutrition onto cauliflower. Here is what the published figures actually mean.
The official chart lists a Single NOT Chicken Slider at 490–520 calories with 8 grams of protein. The two-cauli-tender #1 combo ranges 970–1,040 calories, while the two-cauli-slider #2 ranges 1,230–1,310.
What NOT Chicken means in the menu
Dave’s uses the NOT Chicken name for its cauliflower-based tenders, sliders and Bites. Standard cauliflower tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and Dave’s Sauce, while cauliflower sliders add a potato bun, kale slaw and other toppings. There are also numbered combos with fries. The vegetable is the main replacement for chicken, but the menu item includes breading, oils and accompaniments. A customer who prefers not to eat meat should still ask about ingredients and preparation when that matters. A cauliflower product can contain dairy, eggs or wheat and may be cooked in a shared environment.
Calories in the cauliflower combos
The official #1 NOT Chicken combo with two cauliflower tenders and fries is 970–1,040 calories. #2 with two cauliflower sliders and fries is 1,230–1,310. #3 with one cauli tender and one cauli slider is 1,100–1,180. #4 with one cauliflower slider and fries is 920–960. All these figures refer to the complete named combo at standard preparation. Do not add a separate fries portion again to the reported total. The exact value depends on the reported spice tier. The restaurant also notes that modifications and portioning can change the finished nutrition.
| Menu item | Official calories | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| NOT Chicken #1 | 970–1,040 cal | 10 g protein |
| NOT Chicken #2 | 1,230–1,310 cal | 22–23 g protein |
| Single cauli slider | 490–520 cal | 8 g protein |
| Cauliflower Bites | 490–590 cal | 8 g protein |
What the single cauliflower slider shows
Dave’s Single NOT Chicken Slider with no sides is listed at 490 calories for Not Hot and Lite Mild and 520 for the higher heat group. The published protein value is 8 grams. That is much less protein than the standard chicken Single Slider, which the chart lists at 31 grams. The comparison is useful when deciding between meat and a cauliflower-based main ingredient. It does not establish that one meal is a better fit for everyone. A personal dietary choice can depend on ingredient preferences, meal size, nutrition goals and allergens, not just protein per serving.
Cauliflower bites are a different portion
The chart lists NOT Chicken Bites without sides at 490 calories for the lower heat tier and 590 for the higher tier. Each is reported with 8 grams of protein. The main difference from a cauliflower slider is presentation. Bites are smaller pieces for dipping rather than one sandwich on a bun with slaw. Their serving weight and ingredients still need to be matched to the actual store product. Do not add their calorie number to a bite-with-fries order without checking whether you already have a complete product row. The menu also has mini cauliflower sliders at participating locations.
Why vegetable food can still contain allergens
Dave’s official allergen chart marks egg, milk, mustard, soy and wheat for some NOT Chicken combinations. A cauliflower slider adds a bun that can have sesame and other allergens. The matrix also states that cross-contact can occur in the restaurant and the chain cannot guarantee allergen-free items. This is especially important for people who think cauliflower automatically means vegan or gluten free. Even if a person avoids meat by preference, the finished product may not meet a strict vegan diet. Check the current ingredients and shared preparation details with your store rather than treating the menu name as a certification.
Is the cauliflower order lower in calories than chicken?
Comparing the standard #1 chicken combo at 1,230–1,350 calories with NOT Chicken #1 at 970–1,040 suggests the cauliflower version is lower for those particular published meals. But a different comparison could look closer. The two-slider NOT Chicken #2 still has more than 1,200 calories. It is important to match the same numbered combo with the same included sides and heat tier. Choosing cauliflower may be about taste or reducing meat rather than reaching a calorie target. Do not generalize from one product to every item in the NOT Chicken menu.
How to think about sodium and fat
A standard NOT Chicken #1 combo in the lower tier has 2,140 milligrams of sodium and 51 grams of fat in the official chart. NOT Chicken #2 lists 2,410 milligrams of sodium and 68 grams of fat in that same tier. These are meaningful nutrition values even when the main ingredient is cauliflower. The breading, sauce and fries are still part of the meal. A lower calorie total does not automatically mean low sodium. If you follow a medical diet, use the complete current nutrition document and your professional guidance. Do not rely on the word cauliflower alone as a health description.
Choosing the right cauliflower meal
First decide whether you want one tender, a slider, a bite portion or a meal with fries. Select your store and confirm it offers that item. Match the exact name in the official PDF and read the lower or higher spice-tier row. Keep any side swaps, sauces and drinks separate unless the published serving already includes them. If a product is new and lacks a chart entry, it is better to say the value is unavailable than substitute a chicken number. Finally, if your goal is vegetarian or allergy-safe eating, verify ingredient and cooking information at the restaurant itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dave’s cauliflower slider lower in calories than chicken?
The published Single NOT Chicken Slider has 490–520 calories, compared with 620–680 for the standard chicken Single Slider. Those are the specified no-sides product rows. Neither figure should automatically be used for a numbered meal with fries, and individual preparations may vary. Also keep the bun, slaw, pickles and sauce in mind. The Single Slider number is for its own named standard serving and does not replace the information for a cauliflower combo with fries. Check the latest official version if your store updates the recipe.
Are cauliflower tenders vegan?
A cauliflower-based main ingredient does not prove the finished tender is vegan. Dave’s allergen chart includes egg, milk and other ingredients for several cauliflower products. Shared preparation also matters. Ask the restaurant before making a claim about strict vegetarian or vegan suitability. Comparing like-for-like items is more useful than deciding that all vegetable-based dishes are lighter. A larger cauliflower portion with fries can be more substantial than a small chicken item. Choose based on the food and portion you actually want.
Does the NOT Chicken menu have protein?
Yes. Dave’s chart lists 8 grams for the single cauliflower slider and 10 grams for the standard NOT Chicken #1 combo in the lower tier. The amounts are different from chicken items. Compare the exact product and serving rather than assuming every vegetable-based meal contains no protein. The declared allergens and the shared equipment matter more than the word cauliflower. Some prepared versions contain milk and egg. If a strict vegan or medical diet applies, ask the location directly before relying on a menu name or general nutrition summary.
Sources and related menu guides
Dave’s published 2026 food nutrition chart provides the reported serving values, while its 2026 allergen information explains declared allergens and kitchen cross-contact. The official location ordering menu shows current product names and availability. Figures reflect published standard servings, not a test of each individual order.
See our Dave’s Hot Chicken menu and prices, general nutrition guide, allergen guide and Menu Guide. Other nutrition articles: daves hot chicken combo calories, daves fries cheese fries calories, daves spicy buffalo mac calories, daves hot mozz calories nutrition, daves mini sliders calories nutrition. These pages help you compare products without assuming one meal suits every person.
What to remember
The official chart lists a Single NOT Chicken Slider at 490–520 calories with 8 grams of protein. The two-cauli-tender #1 combo ranges 970–1,040 calories, while the two-cauli-slider #2 ranges 1,230–1,310. Select the exact store and item before buying. If you customize the food, the standard nutrition figures may no longer match what is in your bag. For allergies or medically necessary diets, consult the official documents and ask the restaurant about preparation. A useful menu guide should explain what is known and where the published data ends rather than guessing the difference.
