Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a deliciously crispy and spicy alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Coated in a flavorful batter and tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, these cauliflower bites are perfect as a vegan appetizer or snack. Ready in just 40 minutes, they provide a healthier, lower-calorie way to enjoy the bold flavors of buffalo sauce with a satisfying crunch from the air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup water
Main
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, broken into large florets
- Buffalo sauce, for brushing
- Vegan ranch, for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and water until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. This batter will help coat the cauliflower florets evenly and create a crispy texture when air fried.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. This step is essential for that signature crunchy exterior after air frying.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the batter-coated cauliflower florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd, so they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Initial Air Fry: Cook the cauliflower for 9 minutes at 400°F. This initial crisping sets the batter and begins the cooking process.
- Flip and Sauce: Carefully flip the florets to ensure even cooking on all sides. Brush them generously with buffalo sauce to infuse them with spicy, tangy flavor.
- Final Air Fry: Continue air frying the cauliflower for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the florets are crisp and golden brown, and the sauce has lightly caramelized on the surface.
- Serve: Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer, brush with more buffalo sauce if desired, and serve immediately with vegan ranch dressing on the side for dipping, adding a creamy contrast to the spicy bites.
Notes
- For extra crispy cauliflower, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
- You can adjust the amount of buffalo sauce depending on your spice preference.
- If you don’t have vegan ranch, serve with blue cheese or a simple celery stick for a classic buffalo pairing.
- Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch alternatives to make this recipe gluten free.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and are best reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
