Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings are a crispy, spicy, and guilt-free alternative to traditional chicken wings. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, these wings deliver all the bold flavors you love while keeping things light and vegetarian-friendly.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs
Ingredients Overview
- Cauliflower: The star ingredient, cut into bite-sized florets, provides a tender yet hearty texture.
- Batter: A blend of flour, seasonings, and milk creates a light coating for the florets.
- Buffalo Sauce: A mix of hot sauce and melted butter (or a plant-based alternative) adds the signature spicy flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Cauliflower
- Wash and cut one medium-sized cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
2. Make the Batter
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water or milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring it’s well-coated.
3. Air Fry the Cauliflower
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray.
- Place the battered cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
4. Toss in Buffalo Sauce
- While the cauliflower cooks, prepare the Buffalo sauce by mixing:
- ½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or plant-based butter
- Once the cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a bowl and toss it gently with the Buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
5. Air Fry Again (Optional)
For extra crispiness, return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook at 375°F (190°C) for an additional 3–5 minutes.
6. Serve
Transfer the cauliflower wings to a serving platter and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions.
Recipe Tips
- For Extra Crispiness: Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the batter.
- Non-Spicy Option: Substitute BBQ sauce or teriyaki sauce for the Buffalo sauce.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prep the cauliflower and batter in advance. Batter the florets just before air frying.
What to Serve With This Recipe
- Dipping Sauces: Ranch, blue cheese, or a creamy vegan dip.
- Sides: Celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a simple green salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes! Bake at 425°F (220°C) on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour for the batter.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 5–7 minutes for best results.
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- 1 medium-sized cauliflower, cut into florets
Batter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water or milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or plant-based butter
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower by washing and cutting it into florets.
- Whisk together the batter ingredients. Coat the cauliflower in the batter.
- Air fry the florets at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Toss the cooked florets in Buffalo sauce.
- (Optional) Air fry again for extra crispiness.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces and garnish.
These Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings are a crowd-pleasing snack perfect for game day or any day you’re craving something spicy and crunchy. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
Equipment
- Kitchen Equipment Needed:
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water or milk dairy or plant-based
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or plant-based butter
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower by washing and cutting it into florets.
- Whisk together the batter ingredients. Coat the cauliflower in the batter.
- Air fry the florets at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Toss the cooked florets in Buffalo sauce.
- (Optional) Air fry again for extra crispiness.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces and garnish.
- These Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings are a crowd-pleasing snack perfect for game day or any day you’re craving something spicy and crunchy. Enjoy!
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