Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, flavorful, and healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Tender cauliflower florets are battered, air-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce, making them a perfect vegetarian appetizer or snack that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Sauce
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for a richer sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for crisping the cauliflower.
- Make Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt until you have a smooth batter without lumps.
- Coat Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure they are fully coated. Shake off any excess batter to avoid clumping.
- Arrange in Basket: Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. If necessary, work in batches to prevent overcrowding for even cooking.
- Air Fry First Stage: Cook the cauliflower in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure all sides get crispy and golden brown.
- Prepare Sauce: While the cauliflower is cooking, mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter in a bowl to create a rich, spicy coating.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Once cooked, toss the air-fried cauliflower florets gently in the buffalo sauce mixture until evenly coated.
- Air Fry Second Stage: Return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to set the sauce and enhance the flavor.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo cauliflower hot, ideally with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese and celery sticks on the side for a classic touch.
Notes
- Work in batches when air frying to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to soggy cauliflower.
- For a vegan option, substitute melted butter with a plant-based alternative.
- If you prefer extra crispy texture, you can increase air frying time by a couple of minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispiness.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter for extra heat if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Snack/Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
