Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

2 comments

5 from 56 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

My air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe features CRISPY florets drenched in a spicy and buttery sauce! Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s the perfect appetizer or veggie side dish.

Love air fryer appetizers? Try my air fryer potstickers, air fryer pizza rolls, air fryer bagel bites, and air fryer biscuits next.

air fryer buffalo cauliflower.

Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables to cook with and one that my family unanimously agree on as a dinnertime side.

Inspired by my baked buffalo cauliflower bites and air fryer cauliflower, I wanted to see if there was a quicker and just as delicious way to cook them. 

With a few tweaks, you can enjoy crispy and delicious air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings! Perfect for a snack, game day appetizer, or a veggie side dish (or any occasion you’d serve chicken wings!).

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to air fryer buffalo cauliflower
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More delicious ways to enjoy cauliflower
  8. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Extra crispy. I reckon buffalo cauliflower NEEDS to be crispy (seriously, no soggy batter here, please), and the air fryer guarantees it! It’s crispy and crunchy on the inside but perfectly smooth on the inside.
  • Healthier than deep frying. While a small amount of butter is used for the sauce, there is no actual oil or butter needed for the ‘frying’ part of it! Compare that to deep frying, which requires at least a full cup of oil! 
  • No mess or cleanup is required. Honestly, this is my biggest perk of using an air fryer- There is ALMOST zero cleanup. Once it’s been used, I place it in my dishwasher, and Voila- it’s clean. 
  • FAST. From prep to plate, this takes under 20 minutes.
air fried buffalo cauliflower.

Ingredients needed

  • Cauliflower. Fresh cauliflower chopped into bite-sized pieces. 
  • Flour. I used white whole wheat flour, but white flour or gluten-free flour can be used. 
  • Milk of choice. Unsweetened almond, soy, or any milk of choice (provided it is not flavored!).
  • Salt and pepper. To taste. 
  • Hot sauce. I like Frank’s Buffalo sauce, but for a spicier kick, you can use classic hot sauce. 
  • Butter. dairy free butter or traditional butter. This will be melted and whisked with the hot sauce to coat the crispy buffalo wings.

How to air fryer buffalo cauliflower

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

flour and spices in a mixing bowl.

Step 1- Prep. Whisk together the flour, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth.

raw cauliflower in batter.

Step 2- Dredge. Dip the raw cauliflower florets in the batter until completely coated. 

battered cauliflower in the air fryer.

Step 3- Air fry. Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 200C/400F until golden and crispy around the edges. 

brushing battered cauliflower with buffalo sauce.

Step 4- Prepare the sauce. While the battered cauliflower is cooking, prepare the sauce. Once the cauliflower has cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket, toss it in the sauce, and serve immediately. 

Can I bake this in the oven? 

Yes! You can skip the air fryer and bake the buffalo cauliflower in the oven. Simply place the battered cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 220C/440F for 25-27 minutes in a preheated oven until the cauliflower is golden brown. Once cooked, pour the buffalo sauce over and serve immediately. 

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Chop the cauliflower into equal bite-sized pieces. This ensures the cauliflower all cooks evenly! Also, pat the cauliflower dry completely.
  • Cook in batches. If I’m making a big batch of this cauliflower, I cook it in batches so each floret can achieve maximum crispiness.
  • Use a good quality buffalo sauce. Not all buffalo sauce is created equal! Some brands are very thin and watery, which can affect the recipe. I love using Frank’s Buffalo Sauce, as it is thicker than others and has a comfortably spicy flavor! 
  • Serve with plenty of condiments! While the buffalo cauliflower tastes delicious on its own, it goes up a notch when served with a variety of sauces, carrots, and celery sticks! I love enjoying it with ranch dressing, cheese sauce, blue cheese dressing, and even guacamole. 

Storage instructions

To store: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 5 days. 

To freeze: Place the cauliflower in a shallow container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it thaw completely before reheating. 

Reheating: Place a single layer of the thawed/chilled cauliflower in the air fryer and cook at 200C/400F for 5 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

air fryer buffalo cauliflower with ranch dressing.

Frequently asked questions

Why won’t my buffalo cauliflower get crispy?

I have a few surefire tips to ensure crispy cauliflower every time. First, make sure you pat the cauliflower completely dry before coating it with the batter. Also, it’s really important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure each floret has enough room to breath.

Can I make these cauliflower wings without buffalo sauce?

Absolutely! I often make it without buffalo sauce and either add more seasonings to the batter or toss it with another sauce, like hot honey sauce or BBQ sauce.

More delicious ways to enjoy cauliflower

air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

5 from 56 votes
My air fryer buffalo cauliflower features crispy florets drenched in a spicy and buttery sauce! Ready in under 20 minutes, it's the perfect appetizer or veggie side dish. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 13 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 1 large cauliflower chopped into equal sized florets
  • 1 cup all purpose flour use gluten free, if needed
  • 1 cup milk I used soy milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup hot sauce I used Frank's Buffalo hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup butter melted * See notes

Instructions 

  • In a mixing bowl, add your flour, milk, salt, and pepper, and whisk until a smooth batter remains.
  • Moving quickly, dip the cauliflower into the batter until completely covered. Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 13-15 minutes at 200C/400F, or until crispy and golden brown.
  • While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the buffalo hot sauce and melted butter until smooth.
  • Remove the crispy cauliflower from the air fryer and drench them in the buffalo sauce. Place them on a plate and serve immediately.

Notes

* vegan butter works.
TO STORE: Leftover cauliflower should be stored in the refrigerator, covered. It will keep well for up to 5 days. 
TO FREEZE: Place the cauliflower in a shallow container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it thaw completely before reheating. 
TO REHEAT: Place a single layer of the thawed/chilled cauliflower in the air fryer and cook at 200C/400F for 5 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 8gFat: 11gSodium: 2113mgPotassium: 755mgFiber: 5gVitamin A: 638IUVitamin C: 146mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 3mgNET CARBS: 31g
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally updated December 2023, updated and republished October 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

You May Also Like

5 from 56 votes (54 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just made these and they’re delicious. I was a little skeptical because they don’t get super brown in the air fryer, but once tossed in buffalo sauce–fantastic! They took about 25 minutes, shaking once, because I was using both baskets of my dual air fryer.

    Honestly, I like these just as much as the chicken version. Thanks!