The BEST Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

I love infusing ingredients into my kitchen creations. Using a medium head of cauliflower, flour, water, garlic and onion powder, and a touch of smoked paprika, these buffalo cauliflower bites offer a unique crunch and spice. This twist on Buffalo Cauliflower Recipes is my favorite meatless snack that never disappoints.

I’ve gotta say, I’m stoked to share my recipe for The BEST Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower. I’ve been trying to bring a new twist to classic buffalo wings with this recipe—a delicious meatless snack that’s both healthy and super addictive.

You’ll need a medium head cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets, mixed with a batter made from 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and a pinch of baking powder plus salt and pepper. Then, it’s time for the magic: tossing everything in 1 cup buffalo wing sauce with 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter to get that bold, fiery flavor that makes buffalo cauliflower so popular among vegetarians and buffalo wing lovers alike.

I honestly couldn’t believe how crispy and flavorful these cauliflower bites turned out in my air fryer. Trust me, if you’re looking for a healthy snack that’s bursting with flavor, this recipe is a must-try!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, i love how easy it is to make. The batter mixes together super fast and coats every piece of cauliflower so it gets all crispy and yummy in the air fryer. Second, i enjoy that it has a kick of spicy flavor from the buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. It tastes just like real buffalo wings, but without any meat which is awesome if you’re looking for a healthier option. Third, i like that it’s really versatile. Whether im craving a snack or need an appetizer for a gathering, it always comes out tasting great and makes me feel good about cooking something different at home.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower provides fiber vitamins and a satisfying crunch.

  Its low calorie and super healthy.

• All purpose flour gives the dish structure and a smooth coating.

  It supplies carbohydrates.

• Buffalo wing sauce provides a tangy heat and bold flavor.

  It makes it exciting.

• Unsalted butter adds richness and helps blend flavors.

  It balances spicy notes well.

• Garlic powder brings savory depth and warmth.

  It boosts natural flavor without extra calories.

• Onion powder offers a mild sweetness and umami kick.

  It rounds out the flavor profile.

• Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky taste and vibrant color.

  It enhances the dish naturally.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 medium head cauliflower (about 1.5 lbs) cut into bite size florets
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup buffalo wing sauce (like Franks RedHot)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

How to Make this

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready.

2. In a big bowl, mix together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, baking powder, salt and pepper.

3. Toss the bite-size cauliflower florets in the batter until they are all evenly coated.

4. Place the battered cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer (don’t overcrowd it or they won’t crisp up as good).

5. Air fry the cauliflower for about 12 to 15 minutes. Make sure to shake the basket a couple of times to help them cook evenly.

6. While your cauliflower is cooking, mix the buffalo wing sauce with the melted butter in a small bowl.

7. Once the cauliflower is crispy and slightly golden, take it out and toss it in the sauce and butter mixture until well coated.

8. For an extra kick, return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer for another 2 to 3 minutes and let the sauce set a bit.

9. Serve your buffalo cauliflower warm with your favorite dip and enjoy the unbeatable flavor!

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer (including its basket for arranging the cauliflower in a single layer)
2. Large mixing bowl (for combining the dry and wet ingredients)
3. Measuring cups and measuring spoons (for accurately portioning the flour, water, spices, and baking powder)
4. Whisk or fork (to mix the batter until smooth)
5. Knife and cutting board (for chopping the cauliflower into bite-size florets)
6. Tongs or spatula (to toss the cauliflower in the batter and sauce evenly)
7. Small bowl (for mixing the buffalo wing sauce with melted butter)
8. Serving plate (to present the finished dish)

FAQ

The BEST Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have all-purpose flour, you can use chickpea flour or a gluten-free blend which works great in binding the batter.
• Instead of plain water, you might try a bit of unsweetened almond milk or vegetable broth for a little extra flavor kick.
• If you’re out of smoked paprika, regular paprika or a pinch of chipotle powder can be used to maintain that smoky vibe.
• For the buffalo wing sauce, you can mix your favorite hot sauce with a bit more melted butter if Franks RedHot isnt around.
• In a pinch when you dont have unsalted butter, salted butter works fine too; just reduce the added salt a bit.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you dont cram too many cauliflower pieces into the air fryer at once because if theyre bunched up they won’t get that crisp like you want.
2. If you like it extra saucy, toss your cauliflower in the buffalo sauce right after it comes out, then pop it back into the air fryer for a couple more minutes so the sauce kinda sets and sticks better.
3. Preheating the air fryer is super important so be sure it’s really hot before you put anything in, that little extra time makes a huge diff.
4. Experiment a bit by adding a pinch of cayenne or even a bit of extra garlic if you feel like mixing things up for more flavor.