This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is so easy to prepare. Cauliflower florets are battered then coated in a homemade buffalo sauce.
This vegetarian appetizer or side dish goes great with Sour Cream and Chive Dip.
Crispy buffalo cauliflower bites are prepared in the air fryer for an easy appetizer or game day snack. The hot buttery sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite creamy dip!
This best air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings recipe is a delicious step up from this crispy air fryer cauliflower recipe.
It is a no breading recipe and all you need to do is prepare a simple batter, air fry, then toss in the buttery sauce and air fry again!
Thanks to the circulation of the hot air from the air fryer, the cauliflower are perfectly cooked inside and crispy outside.
I love using my air fryer to make all sort of delicious snacks and sides. It is a little lighter alternative to deep frying and is quicker than oven-baked.
Air-fried Buffalo Cauliflower Ingredients
Cauliflower
All purpose flour - alternatively use gluten-free flour to make this recipe wheat-free
Cornstarch - helps to keep the batter crispy
Garlic powder or granules
Paprika - alternatively, use chili powder
Milk - alternatively, use buttermilk or kefir - use vegan milk to make this recipe dairy-free
Black pepper and salt
Hot sauce - a common brand is Frank's red hot sauce but you can use any other
Maple syrup
Butter - use a vegan alternative or oil
Oil - cooking spray oil or ordinary oil such as olive oil
How to make Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Wash and drain a cauliflower head then chop into equal sized florets.
In a large mixing bowl, add the plain flour and cornstarch.
Tip in the spices and milk or liquid of choice.
Whisk until smooth.
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray or brush with oil . Alternavitely use parchment paper.
Dip each floret into the batter and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches.
Air Fry at 200 C for around 6-7 minutes. The cauliflower should be partially cooked only and just beginning to turn golden brown.
Meanwhile, prepare the hot sauce.
In a bowl, add the got sauce, maple syrup and butter. If you do not have melted butter, you may want to warm the miture in the microwave or stove top.
Remove the cauliflower from the basket and coat in the hot sauce.
Air fry the coated cauliflower again at 200 C for 4-5 minutes or until crispy.
Pro Tips
Adjust spices and seasoning according to your preference
Note that large florets may take longer to cook. Smaller florets will have a lower cook time
Ensure cauliflower is dry before adding the batter - the extra water will cause the cauliflower to become soggy
Do not overcrowd the basket as this causes the vegetable to steam rather than crisp up.
For liquid to prepare batter - note that milk is thin so you may not need to add as much. Buttermilk and kefir is thicker so you may need more to make a smooth batter. Aim for a pancake batter consistency as anything looser simply falls off in the air fryer basket.
Serving Suggestion
Serve buffalo cauliflower wings as finger food with your favorite dipping sauce or go with one of these popular dips!
Ranch - use vegan mayo to make it a vegan ranch dressing
Blue cheese dressing
Prepare celery sticks and carrot batons on the side.
The cauliflower goes great served in a wrap with salad leaves, sauce and shirazi salad
Try them in tacos with this Mango Pico de Gallo
Storage
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is best enjoyed immediately.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer.
Other Cauliflower recipes
Air Fryer Cauliflower Manchurian
Tandoori Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos
Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese - a creamy British classic that is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
Cauliflower Bites
- 1 head Cauliflower
- 1 cup All purpose flour
- ¼ cup Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika alternatively use chili powder
- ¾ cup Milk alternatively use buttermilk or kefir
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Oil cooking spray oil or ordinary oil such as olive oil
Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup Hot sauce a common brand is Frank's red hot sauce but you can use any other
- ⅛ cup Maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon Butter
Instructions
Cauliflower Bites
- Wash and drain 1 head Cauliflower then chop into equal sized florets.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the plain flour and cornstarch.
- Tip in the spices and milk or liquid of choice
- Whisk until smooth.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray or brush with oil . Alternatively use parchment paper
- Dip each floret into the batter and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches
- Air Fry at 200 C / 400 F for around 6-7 minutes. The cauliflower should be partially cooked only and just beginning to turn golden brown.
Buffalo Sauce
- In a bowl, add the hot sauce, maple syrup and butter.
- If you do not have melted butter, you may want to warm the miture in the microwave or stove top.
- Keep it aside.
- Remove the cauliflower from the basket and coat in the hot sauce
- Air fry the coated cauliflower again at 200 C or 400 F for 4-5 minutes or until crispy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Susan says
What a perfect appetizer or dish to make for game days coming up! I absolutely love this!!!
Enriqueta says
I'm making this recipe again this coming week. This cauliflower is so good—Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. And the seasoning is to die for! Thanks for sharing!
Erin says
This was so fun and easy to make! We made them for a party and they went fast. Lots asked for the recipe, too! Thanks.
Kristina says
This is a delicious variation of buffalo chicken for us vegetarians. You can serve it as an appetizer, on pizza, on flatbreads or toasts, and even in lettuce wraps and grain bowls.
Madelyn says
This is my go to way for making buffalo cauliflower tacos. It's so easy and so much lighter feeling than making breaded buffalo cauliflower or fried buffalo chicken.
Tammy says
Sounds so good! I LOVE cauliflower so perfect swap here. I'd eat it all in one sitting..I cannot wait to make this 😀
Veronika says
I made this recipe yesterday and it came out amazing! It was so easy to prep and I loved the flavors. Going to make it again this weekend for our friends.
Bernice says
I love this recipe! The boys get so wrapped up in football games, they don't even realize they're eating cauliflower! hahaha
Sophie says
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a crowd-pleaser. I'm already planning to make it again because it's become a regular craving in my household.
Marta says
I served these air fryer buffalo cauliflower as an appetizer for a gathering I had this past weekend and they were a hit with everyone. I loved how simple the recipe was to prepare and how well it fed a crowd.
Quynh says
I LOVE air fryer cauliflower. I actually make it all the time. I decided to try something new and the buffalo sauce took it to the next level. Soooooo good!
Lana says
Absolutely delicious and SO easy. Making this over and over again, thank you!
Kushigalu says
Drooling over this cauliflower recipe. Looks fantastic.
Patricia says
Ohmygosh! This looks amazing! I love "Buffalo" anything, and I love the idea of using cauli! I am going to print to make this soon! Lovely!
Ali says
This air fryer buffalo cauliflower turned out so crispy! Such a tasty and healthy side dish recipe.