If you’re craving a snack that’s fiery, crispy, and oh-so-satisfying without the heaviness of wings, this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe is your new best friend. It takes nutritious cauliflower florets and transforms them into irresistibly crunchy bites, coated in a tangy, buttery buffalo sauce that packs just the right amount of kick. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just looking to sneak in more veggies with a punch of flavor, this recipe delivers a win every single time. Plus, using the air fryer means you get all the crispiness without the guilt of deep frying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create this mouthwatering dish. Each component plays a special role, balancing flavor, texture, and that vibrant orange hue that makes buffalo cauliflower so crave-worthy.
- Cauliflower florets: Fresh and firm, the base of the dish that crisps beautifully when air fried.
- All-purpose or chickpea flour: The batter’s magic thickener, offering either traditional or gluten-free options.
- Water or almond milk: Hydrates the batter while keeping it light and easy to coat the cauliflower.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory depth and a hint of warmth to every bite.
- Onion powder: Enhances flavor complexity without overpowering the sauce later.
- Smoked paprika: A smoky undertone that complements the spicy buffalo sauce.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings that perfectly highlight the natural cauliflower flavor.
- Olive oil: Provides a subtle richness and helps the batter crisp to golden perfection.
- Buffalo sauce: The heart of the dish, bringing bold, tangy heat—use store-bought or homemade.
- Melted butter or vegan butter: Smooths the buffalo sauce with richness and binds it to the cauliflower.
- Optional fresh parsley: Adds an herbaceous pop of color and freshness as a garnish.
- Optional blue cheese or ranch dressing: For dipping, offering cool and creamy contrast to the spicy bites.
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower
Start by grabbing a medium head of cauliflower and cutting it into bite-sized florets. Be sure to remove the thick stems so every piece cooks evenly and crisps just right in the air fryer.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. You’re aiming for a batter that’s thick enough to cling to each floret but not so thick that it creates clumps. If it feels too dense, just add a splash more water.
Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower
One by one, dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated from every angle. Shake off any excess batter before placing the florets in a single layer inside your air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding so each piece gets the chance to crisp up perfectly.
Step 4: Air Fry the Cauliflower
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the cauliflower for about 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You want those florets to be golden brown on the outside with a tender inside—this step is what makes it wonderfully crispy without deep frying.
Step 5: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce
While the cauliflower is cooking, mix together the buffalo sauce and melted butter in a small bowl. This blend will coat your cauliflower with that signature spicy and buttery flavor we all love.
Step 6: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
Once your cauliflower is crisp and cooked through, transfer the florets to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over them and toss gently but thoroughly to make sure every bite is bursting with flavor.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower immediately for the best texture. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like, and don’t forget a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing to cool the heat between bites!
How to Serve Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley sprinkled over your spicy cauliflower adds a lovely burst of color and a subtle herbaceous lift that brightens the dish. A sprinkle of chopped green onions or chives also works beautifully if you’re after something a bit different.
Side Dishes
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe pairs perfectly with crisp celery sticks or crunchy carrot batons for a classic buffalo vibe. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside fluffy rice, crunchy coleslaw, or creamy mashed potatoes to balance the spicy heat.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to wow your guests? Serve the buffalo cauliflower on a large platter with dipping bowls of different sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or even a tangy yogurt dip. Wrap the florets in soft tortillas with lettuce and a drizzle of ranch for tasty sliders or toss them into a salad for an exciting twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It may lose some crispness but will still deliver that fantastic buffalo flavor when reheated carefully.
Freezing
If you want to freeze your buffalo cauliflower, arrange the cooked florets on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. This prevents them from sticking together. Frozen cauliflower can be stored for up to 1 month.
Reheating
To bring back the crispy texture, reheat leftovers in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 to 7 minutes rather than the microwave. This ensures the coating stays crunchy and the buffalo sauce remains flavorful.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for chickpea flour and use almond milk instead of water for the batter. Replace the butter in the buffalo sauce with vegan butter or a plant-based margarine to keep it fully vegan without sacrificing flavor.
What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?
Store-bought buffalo sauces like Frank’s RedHot work wonderfully for a reliable, classic flavor. However, if you prefer homemade, a simple mix of hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, and a dash of vinegar makes a fresh, tangy alternative that tastes amazing.
Can I bake this instead of using an air fryer?
Yes, you can bake the coated cauliflower at 425°F (220°C) on a parchment-lined baking sheet for about 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. You won’t get quite the same crispiness, but it will still be deliciously tender with a spicy kick.
How spicy is this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe?
The heat level depends on the buffalo sauce you choose. Most store-bought sauces have a moderate spice level that’s manageable for many palates, but you can always adjust by using milder or hotter sauce according to your preference.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger crowd?
Definitely! Just make sure to cook the cauliflower in batches if your air fryer basket isn’t large enough to avoid overcrowding. This keeps each floret crisp and evenly cooked without steaming.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe is the kind of dish that instantly becomes a favorite because it’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re making it for game day, a casual dinner, or a snack, it brings together everything you love about buffalo wings without the fuss or mess. I truly hope you give it a try and discover just how addictive crispy, spicy cauliflower can be!
Print
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, flavorful, and healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Coated in a spiced batter, air fried to perfection, and tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce, this dish is perfect as a spicy appetizer or a tasty snack for gatherings.
Ingredients
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for a gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup water (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
Optional Garnishes and Dips
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, removing the thick stems to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the batter consistency so it’s thick enough to coat the cauliflower evenly but not too runny.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the prepared batter, fully coating each piece. Shake off excess batter and arrange them in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding for optimal crisping.
- Air fry the cauliflower: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Air fry the coated florets for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to maintain even crispness. The cauliflower should turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare the buffalo sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter in a small bowl until fully combined for a rich and tangy coating.
- Toss in buffalo sauce: Transfer the crispy cauliflower to a large mixing bowl, pour the buffalo sauce over, and gently toss to coat each floret evenly with sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping if desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with chickpea flour.
- To make this dairy-free, use almond milk instead of water in the batter and vegan butter in the buffalo sauce.
- Avoid overcrowding in the air fryer basket to ensure cauliflower crisps properly.
- Shaking the basket halfway through cooking promotes even browning.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for crispiness.
