Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, flavorful, and healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings. The cauliflower florets are coated in a seasoned batter, air fried to perfection, then brushed with spicy buffalo sauce for a deliciously satisfying snack or appetizer that’s perfect for game day or any time you crave some heat without the meat.
Ingredients
Batter Ingredients
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup water
Vegetables
- 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds, broken into large florets)
Sauces
- Buffalo Sauce (for brushing)
- Vegan Ranch (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F to ensure it is hot and ready to crisp the cauliflower perfectly.
- Prepare Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sea salt. Gradually add the water and whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. This flavorful batter will give the cauliflower a crispy coating.
- Coat Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and stir gently to evenly coat each piece. Lift florets out, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl to avoid clumping.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd; leave space between pieces to promote even cooking. Work in batches if necessary.
- Air Fry First Half: Air fry the cauliflower at 400°F for 9 minutes to start crisping the coating.
- Flip and Sauce: Remove the basket and carefully flip each floret using a spatula to ensure even browning. Brush the cauliflower liberally with buffalo sauce to infuse spicy flavor.
- Air Fry Second Half: Return the coated florets to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower edges are dark and crisp, adjusting time as necessary based on your air fryer model.
- Final Sauce and Serve: Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer and brush with extra buffalo sauce for maximum flavor. Serve hot with vegan ranch on the side for dipping, if desired.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for best crispiness.
- Adjust air frying time based on your specific air fryer model, as power varies.
- Use gluten-free flour if desired to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Buffalo sauce can be homemade or store-bought depending on preference.
- For extra crispiness, allow battered cauliflower to rest for a few minutes before air frying to hydrate the flour.
- Vegan ranch is optional but adds a cool contrast to spicy buffalo flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
