Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower: Crispy & Spicy Recipe
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe delivers a crispy, spicy, and flavorful snack or side dish that’s perfect for buffalo wing lovers seeking a healthier, vegetarian alternative. Cauliflower florets are dipped in a seasoned batter, air fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a buttery, tangy buffalo sauce. Quick, easy, and irresistibly tasty, this dish is great for appetizers, party snacks, or even a main course when paired with a side salad.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice)
Baking and Sauce
- 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying (or more, as needed)
- 1 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce (or your favorite buffalo wing sauce)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Optional Garnishes and Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure that the cauliflower crisps up perfectly.
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Wash and thoroughly dry the cauliflower florets with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can hinder crispiness. Cut florets into even sizes for uniform cooking.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until combined. In another bowl, prepare the buttermilk by combining milk and vinegar or lemon juice, allowing it to sit for 5 minutes to slightly curdle.
- Combine Batter Ingredients: Gradually whisk the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until a smooth batter forms, taking care not to overmix. Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes to relax the gluten for tender cauliflower.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, coating thoroughly. Let excess batter drip off before placing florets in the air fryer basket in a single, non-overlapping layer to avoid steaming.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy. Cooking time varies by air fryer and floret size, so monitor closely for optimal crispness.
- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While cauliflower cools slightly on a wire rack to retain crunch, whisk together Frank’s RedHot sauce and melted butter in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Gently toss the cooled crispy cauliflower florets in the buffalo sauce bowl, ensuring even coating without breaking them apart.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve hot immediately, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Offer ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the battered florets with cooking spray before air frying.
- Add cayenne pepper to the batter or use a spicier buffalo sauce to boost the heat level.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to regain some crispness.
- Experiment with different seasonings such as Italian herbs, paprika, or other spices to customize flavor.
- This versatile dish works wonderfully as a snack, appetizer, side dish, or main course when paired with a salad.
Keywords: air fryer buffalo cauliflower, crispy buffalo cauliflower, vegetarian buffalo wings, spicy cauliflower, air fryer appetizers, buffalo sauce cauliflower, healthy buffalo bites
