Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a deliciously crispy, spicy, and healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Cauliflower florets are coated in a flavorful, seasoned batter and air fried to a perfect golden brown before being tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce. Ideal as an appetizer or snack, this recipe is easy to prepare and great for gluten-free and dairy-free adaptations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Batter
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for a gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup water (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
Optional Garnishes and Dips
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, making sure to remove the thick stems so that the pieces cook evenly.
- Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the consistency by adding a bit more water if the batter feels too thick, aiming for a coating batter that sticks well to the florets.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, fully coating it. Shake off excess batter and arrange the florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket to avoid overcrowding, which ensures even crisping.
- Air fry the cauliflower: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the coated cauliflower for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring halfway through to promote even browning. The florets should turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare the buffalo sauce: While the cauliflower is frying, mix together the buffalo sauce and melted butter in a small bowl until fully combined. This adds richness and balances the spicy flavor.
- Toss in buffalo sauce: Once the cauliflower is cooked and crispy, transfer the florets to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over them and toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Immediately serve the buffalo cauliflower garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Offer blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side for dipping to complement the spicy flavor.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with chickpea flour.
- Use almond milk instead of water or regular milk to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure the cauliflower crisps evenly.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your spice preference.
- Serve immediately for the best crisp texture.
