If you’re craving something bold, zesty, and just plain fun to eat, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower checks every box! Think crispy, golden florets tossed in spicy buffalo sauce—an irresistible snack or party appetizer that’s surprisingly simple to whip up and totally addictive with every fiery bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Restaurant-Style Bites at Home: Get that crave-worthy crunch without any deep frying—thanks, air fryer!
- 100% Customizable Heat: Choose your favorite hot sauce to dial the spiciness up or down, making it perfect for every palate.
- Super Quick and Easy: Minimal prep and only about 15 minutes from pantry to plate—ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
- A Veggie Dish Everyone Will Actually Crave: Even cauliflower skeptics can’t resist the flavor-packed, finger-licking buffalo goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower—you’ll love how the basic ingredients deliver such bold flavor! Each one plays a key role in crunch, spice, and those perfect saucy bites.
- Cauliflower: A whole head, broken into evenly sized florets so every piece cooks up crisp and golden.
- All-purpose flour: Ensures the batter clings to every curve (you can swap for a gluten-free blend if you need).
- Milk (I used soy milk): Helps create a smooth, slightly creamy batter—dairy-free is totally fine!
- Salt and pepper: Just a touch sharpens the flavor foundation and highlights the tangy buffalo sauce.
- Hot sauce (Frank’s Buffalo recommended): The key to that signature punchy, spicy flavor.
- Butter, melted: When mixed with hot sauce, it balances tang with richness for an authentic buffalo finish.
Variations
Feel free to make this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower your own! It’s incredibly flexible—swap sauces, adapt for diets, or experiment with spices to match your cravings or what’s in your pantry.
- Make it Extra Crispy: Sprinkle the battered florets with a little panko before air frying for a super-satisfying crunch.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Use plant-based butter, and choose your favorite non-dairy milk to keep the whole recipe vegan.
- Sauce it Up Your Way: Try a milder hot sauce, add a spoonful of honey for sweetness, or swap in your own favorite wing sauce for a twist.
- Spice Lovers’ Dream: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the batter if you’re serious about the heat!
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Step 1: Prep and Batter the Cauliflower
Start by breaking down your cauliflower into evenly sized florets—the more uniform, the crispier they’ll all cook up. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, salt, and pepper until you have a smooth, lump-free batter ready for dunking.
Step 2: Coat and Air Fry
Quickly dip each floret into the batter, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated. Arrange the battered cauliflower in a single layer in your air fryer basket (work in batches if needed) and cook at 200°C/400°F for 13–15 minutes, turning once if possible, until deeply golden and crisp.
Step 3: Make the Buffalo Sauce
While your cauliflower is air frying, whisk together the hot sauce and melted butter until silky and totally blended. This classic mix packs all the zing and velvety richness you want in every bite.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Once the cauliflower is hot and perfectly crispy, transfer to a large bowl and toss generously with the buffalo sauce. Serve them immediately—trust me, these never last long!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Choose Even-Sized Florets: Cutting your cauliflower into similar sizes ensures every piece gets perfectly crispy in the same amount of time.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air flow is the secret to crunch! Work in batches so each floret gets its moment to shine.
- Double Dip for Extra Crunch: For an ultra-crispy shell, dip florets in batter, let them rest for a minute, then dip and air fry again.
- Sauce Immediately Before Serving: Toss with sauce just before plating to keep those glorious edges crisp instead of soggy.
How to Serve Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Garnishes
Top your Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, a shower of chopped scallions, or a handful of crumbled blue cheese for that classic “wings night” vibe—every garnish adds its own delicious flair.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside crisp celery and carrot sticks, a crisp garden salad, or even tucked into warm tortillas for quick veggie tacos—this recipe plays beautifully with anything that loves a kick of heat.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, pile the saucy florets on a tray with toothpicks or serve in mini lettuce cups for a fresh twist; or layer them over loaded nachos for an epic, crowd-pleasing snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, store your buffalo cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days—just know it’s best freshly made for maximum crunch!
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal for this recipe as the crispy coating will soften, but if you must, freeze the plain (un-sauced) air-fried florets and reheat from frozen before tossing in sauce.
Reheating
Reheat buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to revive the crunch, then add a little more sauce if needed—avoid the microwave, which makes them soggy.
FAQs
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Can I make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend—the result is just as crispy and delicious.
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What’s the best hot sauce for authentic buffalo flavor?
Frank’s Buffalo hot sauce is considered the gold standard, but you can use any hot sauce you love; just be mindful of the heat level and ingredients.
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Can I prepare Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower ahead of time?
You can prep the cauliflower and batter ahead, but for the best texture, air fry and toss in sauce right before serving. Leftovers are best enjoyed reheated in the air fryer.
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What’s the secret to keeping air fryer cauliflower crispy?
For crunch that impresses, avoid overcrowding the basket and always sauce the cauliflower just before serving—an extra minute or two in the air fryer never hurts, either!
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower isn’t just a lighter, veggie-forward take on a game-day snack—it’s a guaranteed hit with friends, family, or honestly anyone who loves bold, craveable flavor. Try it soon and watch every last saucy bite disappear!
Print
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the spicy kick of buffalo sauce with this crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these cauliflower florets are coated in a gluten-free batter, air-fried to perfection, and then tossed in a buttery hot sauce mixture.
Ingredients
Batter:
- 1 large cauliflower chopped into equal sized florets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup milk (e.g., soy milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Buffalo Sauce:
- 1 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s Buffalo hot sauce)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, milk, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Coating: Dip cauliflower in batter until fully coated. Place in air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 200°C/400°F for 13-15 minutes until crispy.
- Sauce: In a bowl, mix hot sauce and melted butter until smooth.
- Finish: Toss cooked cauliflower in buffalo sauce until well-coated. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a vegan option, use plant-based butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
