Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a deliciously crispy and spicy vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Cauliflower florets are coated in a flavorful seasoned batter, air fried to perfection, then tossed in a buttery buffalo sauce. Perfect as a healthy appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head of cauliflower – cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Buffalo Sauce
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter – melted
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform size to promote even cooking.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower but still pourable.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter, making sure each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess batter before placing them in the air fryer.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the battered cauliflower florets in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, mix the buffalo sauce with melted butter in a small bowl thoroughly.
- Toss the Cauliflower in Buffalo Sauce: Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower and toss to evenly coat each floret.
- Serve: Serve immediately with optional dipping sauces such as ranch or blue cheese and celery sticks on the side for a classic touch.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the battered cauliflower with cooking spray before air frying.
- Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten free.
- Adjust the buffalo sauce amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, air fryer recipes, vegetarian appetizer, healthy wings alternative, spicy snack
