These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, spicy, and packed with flavor—everything you love about buffalo wings but made with wholesome cauliflower! Coated in a crispy batter and tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, these bites are perfect for game day, a quick snack, or a healthy appetizer. Plus, they’re easy to make, vegan-friendly, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
- Healthier alternative to buffalo wings
- Quick and easy—ready in under 30 minutes
- Vegan and gluten-free options available
- Perfect for parties, snacks, or a guilt-free appetizer
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the cauliflower:
- Cauliflower head, cut into bite-sized florets
- All-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Water or unsweetened plant-based milk (for the batter)
- Olive oil spray (for extra crispiness)
For the buffalo sauce:
- Buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- Vegan butter or regular unsalted butter, melted
- Honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
For serving:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing (dairy-free if needed)
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and water (or plant-based milk) until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower but not too runny.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, shaking off excess, and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray with olive oil.
- Air fry: Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
- Make the buffalo sauce: While the cauliflower is cooking, whisk together buffalo sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a small bowl.
- Toss the cauliflower: Once cooked, toss the crispy cauliflower bites in the buffalo sauce until fully coated. Return to the air fryer for another 2-3 minutes for an extra crispy finish.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery, and carrot sticks.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter for extra heat.
- BBQ Cauliflower Bites: Swap buffalo sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour or chickpea flour for the batter.
- Low-Carb Option: Replace flour with almond flour for fewer carbs.
Storage/Reheating
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Re-crisp in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes or until hot and crispy.
- Freeze: Not recommended, as the texture will be compromised after thawing.
FAQs
Can I bake these cauliflower bites instead of using an air fryer?
Yes, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, use plant-based butter and skip the honey or use maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version.
What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?
Frank’s RedHot is the classic choice, but any buffalo-style hot sauce works based on your heat preference.
How do I prevent the batter from sliding off the cauliflower?
Make sure the cauliflower is completely dry before dipping it into the batter, and avoid overloading the air fryer basket.
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yes, but thaw and pat the cauliflower dry before coating to prevent sogginess.
How spicy are these cauliflower bites?
As written, the recipe has a mild to moderate spice level. Add more buffalo sauce or cayenne for extra heat.
Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Stir well before using.
What dipping sauces go best with buffalo cauliflower?
Ranch, blue cheese, garlic aioli, or a yogurt-based dip pair perfectly with the spicy flavor.
How do I get the cauliflower extra crispy?
Lightly spray the bites with olive oil before air frying, and don’t overcrowd the basket.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but cook in batches to ensure the cauliflower gets crispy and isn’t overcrowded in the air fryer.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, spicy, and packed with bold flavor—everything you need for the perfect healthy appetizer or snack. Easy to make and customizable to your heat preference, they’re the perfect plant-based alternative to traditional wings. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing, guilt-free treat!
PrintAir Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, spicy, and the perfect plant-based alternative to buffalo wings! Coated in a flavorful batter and tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce, they’re cooked to perfection in the air fryer for a healthier, guilt-free snack or appetizer. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ½ cup (120 ml) water or plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray (for air fryer)
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional for a hint of sweetness)
For Serving (Optional):
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
Instructions
1. Prepare the batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water (or plant-based milk), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cauliflower florets and toss until evenly coated.
2. Air fry the cauliflower:
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place coated cauliflower in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if necessary).
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crispy and golden.
3. Make the buffalo sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Stir in the hot sauce and honey (if using) until fully combined. Remove from heat.
4. Coat the cauliflower:
- Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl.
- Pour the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower and toss until well coated.
- Return to the air fryer for an additional 3-5 minutes to crisp up the sauce.
5. Serve:
- Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrots.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, add ¼ cup of panko breadcrumbs to the batter.
- Make it vegan by using plant-based milk, vegan butter, and a dairy-free dipping sauce.
- Adjust the heat level by adding more or less hot sauce to the buffalo mixture.