Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower bites are a crispy, spicy, and flavorful vegetarian alternative to traditional chicken wings. Perfectly battered and air fried to golden perfection, these cauliflower florets are coated in buffalo sauce and great for parties or game day. Serve with blue cheese or vegan ranch dressing for a delicious dip.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the 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
For the Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, broken into large florets
For the Sauce
- Buffalo sauce, for brushing (quantity as needed)
Optional Dipping Sauce
- Vegan ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F to ensure it reaches the right temperature before cooking for crispy results.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sea salt. Gradually add the water while whisking until you get a smooth batter free of lumps.
- Coat Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Lift each floret out, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl to avoid sogginess.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow even air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
- First Air Fry: Air fry the cauliflower at 400°F for 9 minutes to cook through and start crisping.
- Flip and Brush Sauce: Carefully flip the cauliflower florets using a spatula. Brush them generously with buffalo sauce for added flavor and heat.
- Second Air Fry: Return the cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the edges are dark, crispy, and the sauce is set.
- Final Brush and Serve: Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer. Brush with additional buffalo sauce if desired and serve hot with vegan ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ensure cauliflower florets are well spaced in the air fryer basket to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce according to your spice preference.
- You can substitute vegan ranch with blue cheese dressing if you prefer.
- Work in batches if your air fryer basket can’t hold all the florets in a single layer.
- For extra crispiness, pat cauliflower dry before battering.
