Crispy outside, tender inside! This air fryer buffalo cauliflower is a bold, healthy snack or party favorite—ready in 30 minutes with less oil and flavorful.
Buffalo cauliflower has become an incredibly popular vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo wings. These spicy, crispy bites deliver all the buffalo flavor without any meat, making them perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based options into their diet.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
Using an air fryer to make air fryer buffalo cauliflower offers several advantages over deep frying. The air fryer uses hot air to create a crispy coating while using significantly less oil, resulting in a healthier dish. The cooking process is quicker than oven methods, and the results are consistently golden brown and deliciously crunchy without the mess and excess calories of deep frying.
The Nutritional Benefits of Cauliflower
Cauliflower is not just a tasty vegetable—it’s also packed with nutrients! Rich in Vitamin C and fiber, cauliflower makes for a nutritious side dish or appetizer. Compared to chicken wings, air fryer buffalo cauliflower contains fewer calories and fat while providing more beneficial plant compounds.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe is the perfect appetizer for game day snacks, Super Bowl parties, or anytime you’re craving something spicy and satisfying. It’s a great low-carb option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor, and the air frying method means you can enjoy crispy buffalo cauliflower bites without the guilt of traditional fried foods.
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower
- 4 cups cauliflower bite-sized florets (from 1 medium-sized fresh cauliflower head)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ¼ cup cornstarch (key for extra crispiness!)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup milk (soy or unsweetened almond milk for vegan option)
- Cooking spray (optional, for extra crunch)
For the Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or plant-based alternative)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for balance)
Optional Garnishes
- Blue cheese dressing
- Vegan ranch dressing
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Green onions for garnish
Equipment Needed
➤ Air fryer
➤ Large bowl for the batter
➤ Small bowl for the buffalo sauce
➤ Separate bowl for tossing the cooked cauliflower in the sauce
➤ Measuring cups and spoons
➤ Tongs for handling the cauliflower
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower:
Preparation Steps:
- Start by washing and cutting the fresh cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- Combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder in a large bowl.
- Gradually add the milk to the dry mixture, whisking until you have a smooth, wet batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower without dripping excessively. If too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
- Prepare the homemade buffalo sauce in a small bowl by mixing Frank’s hot sauce with melted butter, honey (if using) and garlic powder.
Cooking Process:
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. This ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Letting excess drip off.
- Arrange: Place the coated cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd – cook in batches if necessary.
- Air Fry: Lightly spray the florets with oil. Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until the cauliflower becomes golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer Cauliflower: Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer basket and place it in a large bowl.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the buffalo sauce over the crispy cauliflower and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately with dressing and veggie sticks.
Optional Re-Crisp: Return sauced cauliflower to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to set the glaze (keeps them crunchy!).
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Tips:
1. Coat the Cauliflower Well
Make sure each cauliflower piece is fully covered in the batter. It helps give it that crispy, “fried” texture. Stir well so the batter gets into every little space on each floret.
2. Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer
If you put too many pieces in at once, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. Place them in a single layer with space in between. Cook in batches if needed. I usually do it in two batches.
3. Flip Gently
After a few minutes of cooking, you must flip the cauliflower. It might stick to the basket, so use a spatula carefully to lift and flip each piece without tearing off the crispy coating. To reduce sticking, you can also spray the basket lightly with oil before cooking.
4. Add Sauce Twice
For extra buffalo flavor, brush on the sauce two times—once halfway through cooking and once more right before serving. Turn the pieces as you brush to get sauce all over.
5. Serve Right Away
Buffalo cauliflower tastes best fresh from the air fryer—hot and crispy! You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days, but they won’t be as crispy. If you’re making this for a party or game night, cook it before serving.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Serving Ideas
Dips & Toppings
▶︎ Cool dips: Ranch, blue cheese, or vegan dressings.
▶︎ Garnish: Sprinkle with green onions or dunk straight into sauce!
Crunchy Pairings
▷ Fresh veg sticks: Carrots, celery, cucumbers, snap peas, or mini peppers.
Meal Upgrades
▪️ Tacos/Bowls: Stuff into tortillas or layer over rice with avocado, slaw, cilantro, and lime crema.
▪️ Salads: Toss into cucumber-tomato-avocado salad or greens for a spicy crunch.
▪️ Wraps: Roll with slaw, hot sauce, and vegan mayo in a tortilla.
▪️ Grain Bowls: Serve over quinoa with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and vegan sour cream.
Classic Platter
▸ Wings-style spread: Veg sticks + dip + cauliflower piled high (perfect for game day!).
Pro Tip: Prep sides while the cauliflower air fries for a quick, balanced meal!
Recipe Variations for the Best Buffalo Cauliflower
Breading Alternatives
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour.
- For extra crunch, add panko breadcrumbs to the coating.
- Try a cornstarch-only coating for an even crispier result.
Flavor Variations
- BBQ sauce can replace buffalo sauce for a sweeter flavor profile
- Try garlic parmesan coating instead of buffalo sauce.
- Adjust the heat level by using more or less hot sauce in your buffalo sauce mixture.
- Air fry chickpeas alongside the cauliflower for added texture, protein, and nutrition
Cooking Method Variations
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these can be baked in the oven, though they may not get as crispy.
- Some Instant Pot models have air fryer attachments for this recipe.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Storage
▸ Leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
▸ Air Fryer Method:
– Reheat at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to revive crispiness.
▸ Microwave Warning:
– Avoid microwaving—it turns cauliflower soggy!
Pro Tip: Enjoy fresh for maximum crunch!
Troubleshooting Tips
Problem: Soggy Cauliflower
Solution:
- Make sure to arrange it in a single layer and not overcrowd the air fryer basket
- Try cooking at a slightly higher temperature
- Ensure the batter isn’t too wet
Problem: Too Spicy
Solution:
- Mix the buffalo sauce with a little sour cream to mellow the heat
- Use a milder hot sauce or less of it
- Serve with extra cooling dips like blue cheese or ranch
Problem: Not Crispy Enough
Solution:
- Give the cauliflower a light spray of oil before air-frying
- Extend the cooking time by 2-3 minutes
- Make sure your air fryer is fully preheated before adding the cauliflower
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Description
Buffalo cauliflower has become an incredibly popular vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo wings. These spicy, crispy bites deliver all the buffalo flavor without any meat, making them perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based options into their diet.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
- Make the batter: In a large bowl, mix flour, water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Coat the cauliflower: Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss well to coat each piece.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Air fry in batches: Place florets in a single layer without crowding. Cook for 10 minutes, flip gently, and cook for another 7–10 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Sauce it up: Mix buffalo sauce and butter. Brush onto the cauliflower halfway through cooking, and again before serving.
- Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dip!
- Make the batter: In a large bowl, mix flour, water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size per cup
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 150kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 1g2%
- Sodium 1140mg48%
- Potassium 652mg19%
- Total Carbohydrate 24g8%
- Dietary Fiber 5g20%
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 6g12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
