Description
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a delicious, healthier twist on traditional buffalo wings, perfect as a spicy appetizer or snack. Lightly battered cauliflower florets are air fried to a golden crisp, then tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce for a flavorful bite that’s both satisfying and vegetarian-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Coating and Sauce
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to warm up while you prepare the cauliflower, ensuring even and crispy cooking.
- Prepare the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Coat Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then roll in panko breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly, creating a crunchy crust.
- Arrange in Basket: Place the coated florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket; work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which helps maintain crispiness.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning, until the florets are golden brown and crispy.
- Make Buffalo Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo hot sauce and melted butter until well combined, creating a rich, spicy glaze.
- Toss and Serve: Remove the cooked cauliflower from the air fryer and immediately toss them in the buffalo sauce until fully coated. Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the coated florets with cooking spray before air frying.
- To make this dish vegan, substitute unsalted butter with vegan butter or omit the butter entirely from the buffalo sauce.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
