Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower wings will be your new favorite vegetarian dish! Easy to make in under 30 minutes they come out spicy, crispy and totally addictive. A healthy-ish snack or meal that's best served with blue cheese dip, and can easily be made vegan and/or gluten free.
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I have always loved buffalo wings, so it comes as no surprise that buffalo cauliflower is the one recipe from this blog I make the most often. One reason is that I love it, another is that all my friends love it, and the third is that they're an ingredient in my Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos.
So when I say I've got the process for this air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe down - you know I mean business.
If you want to make a complete buffalo snacky dinner - serve them with loaded buffalo fries.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's easy with just a few simple steps
- It's quick and all done in under 30 minutes
- Minimal clean-up - just 1-2 bowls and your air fryer basket
- They're spicy, crispy & oh so tasty - you will not just be making these just once
- No need to add oil so they're a bit healthier
- An amazing appetizer, snack, side dish or main course that everyone loves
- A great vegetarian alternative to wings - a must for any game day!
What you need to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Ingredient notes
- Cauliflower: You can cut the cauliflower any size you like, just adjust the cook time accordingly. Depending on your air fryer basket you might not want to make the pieces too small, or they will fall through the bottom.
- Hot sauce: I love Cholula Hot Sauce and Frank's Red Hot Sauce, but you can use any similar type sauce you have. I have even known friends to use Tabasco and Sriracha with great results!
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour
Ingredient substitutions
- Milk can be switched for a non-dairy alternative
- Flour can be substituted for a gluten-free version - use less milk if you make this switch
- Panko breadcrumbs can be swapped for regular or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Salted butter can be switched for unsalted and a pinch of salt
- Butter can be swapped for a non-dairy alternative like vegetable oil in the same volume amount
How to make Buffalo Cauliflower in Air Fryer
- Place flour and spices in a large mixing bowl
- Mix
- Add milk to the mixture
- Whisk together until you have an even batter
- Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl
- Mix well, then add panko breadcrumbs and mix well again. I add them in two rounds (first half, then the rest) to get an even coating.
- Place in preheated air fryer basket, and air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 14 minutes. Bring out the basket once halfway and shake to turn them.
- After 14 minutes the pieces should be golden brown and fork tender, but not too soft
- You can make the buffalo sauce while the cauliflower is cooking. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the hot sauce.
- Mix well while still over the heat, until you have a smooth sauce
- Place the cauliflower in a large bowl and pour over the buffalo sauce, mix well
- Air fry for 5 more minutes, then serve immediately with blue cheese dressing and some carrots or celery sticks!
Tips & tricks
- Cut cauliflower into similar size pieces for an even cook
- Make it less spicy by using less hot sauce - this version is pretty spicy
- Make it gluten free by using gluten free flour (I like almond flour), a little less milk, and gluten free breadcrumbs
- Make it vegan by using a dairy free milk (I like almond milk) and vegetable oil instead of butter
- Preheat your air fryer for the quickest cook and best results
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - while you can add them in multiple layers, they will not come out as crispy if you do. If your air fryer is on the smaller side this means you might need to cook them in batches.
- Adjust the cook time depending on size - 14 minutes is for pretty large pieces
- Prep ahead by cutting and breading the cauliflower, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge until you want to cook it. Bring it to room temperature before cooking or add a few minutes to the cook time.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days - they will loose in texture, but not in flavor
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C), start with 2 minutes
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute increments
Recipe FAQ
Can I make buffalo cauliflower in the oven?
Yes! You can absolutely cook buffalo cauliflower in the oven.
The ingredients are all the same, you just bake them in the oven on top of a baking sheet for 20 minutes at 430°F (225°C) before mixing with the buffalo sauce. Then place them back in the oven and bake for 5 more minutes.
Can I use store-bought wing sauce?
Yes, you can, but they do not come out as crispy as when making your own wing sauce with butter or vegetable oil. You should still heat the sauce before mixing with the cauliflower.
Is cauliflower wings better for you than chicken wings?
Yes, cauliflower wings are definitely better for you than chicken wings! Cauliflower is loaded with nutrients so despite there being a fair share of breading, I consider this a healthy choice.
More delicious buffalo recipes
Want more recipes like these Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites? Then definitely check out these crazy yummy buffalo recipes:
- Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
- 15-minute Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Print RateServings: 4
Calories: 384kcal
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Buffalo Cauliflower
- 1 medium-sized head cauliflower
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoon salted butter
- ½ cup hot sauce
To serve
- 1 batch 5-minute Blue Cheese Sauce optional
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-size pieces.1 medium-sized head cauliflower
- Mix flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and milk in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower and mix well, making sure the pieces get well covered.½ cup flour, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ cup milk
- Add half of the panko breadcrumbs to the bowl, and mix well. Then add the rest and mix again. Make sure the cauliflower pieces get well covered with breadcrumbs as well.⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Preheat the air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 350°F (180°C).
- Spread out the cauliflower pieces in the preheated air fryer basket, in a single layer. If they don't all fit you will need to air fry in batches. Air fry for 14 minutes, bringing out the basket once halfway and shaking to turn them. They are done when they are slightly browned at the edges and fork tender but still with some resistance.
- While the cauliflower is air frying you can prepare the buffalo sauce. Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium, then mix in the hot sauce with the melted butter. Mix well to an even consistency.3 Tbsp salted butter, ½ cup hot sauce
- Place air fried cauliflower in a large bowl and pour over the buffalo sauce. Toss, making sure to cover the cauliflower well, and then return to the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 5 more minutes.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese sauce or ranch dressing.1 batch 5-minute Blue Cheese Sauce
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
This recipe was created in a Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer*. Cook times can vary with your air fryer model.
Ingredient notes
- Cauliflower: You can cut the cauliflower any size you like, just adjust the cook time accordingly. Depending on your air fryer basket you might not want to make the pieces too small, or they will fall through the bottom.
- Hot sauce: I love Cholula Hot Sauce and Frank's Red Hot Sauce, but you can use any similar type sauce you have. I have even known friends to use Tabasco and Sriracha with great results!
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour
Ingredient substitutions
- Milk can be switched for a non-dairy alternative
- Flour can be substituted for a gluten-free version - use less milk if you make this switch
- Panko breadcrumbs can be swapped for regular or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Salted butter can be switched for unsalted and a pinch of salt
- Butter can be swapped for a non-dairy alternative like vegetable oil in the same volume amount
Tips & tricks
- Cut cauliflower into similar size pieces for an even cook
- Make it less spicy by using less hot sauce - this version is pretty spicy
- Make it gluten free by using gluten free flour (I like almond flour), a little less milk, and gluten free breadcrumbs
- Make it vegan by using a dairy free milk (I like almond milk) and vegetable oil instead of butter
- Preheat your air fryer for the quickest cook and best results
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - while you can add them in multiple layers, they will not come out as crispy if you do. If your air fryer is on the smaller side this means you might need to cook them in batches.
- Adjust the cook time depending on size - 14 minutes is for pretty large pieces
- Prep ahead by cutting and breading the cauliflower, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge until you want to cook it. Bring it to room temperature before cooking or add a few minutes to the cook time.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days - they will loose in texture, but not in flavor
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C), start with 2 minutes
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute increments
Nutrition
Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 1224mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 88mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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Kathy
I made these gluten free and vegan! I swapped wheat flour for rice flour and regular panko crumbs for the gluten free version. Then I used almond milk (unsweetened) instead of cow's milk and olive oil instead of butter. These turned out so good!!! The gluten free panko breadcrumbs used corn so they almost had a popcorn hint which was delicious. I will use this recipe again for a fun, healthy app for when friends come over!