Skip to Content

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a crunchy air fryer appetizer that tastes just like Buffalo Chicken Wings. If you like spicy snacks, you’re going to love this easy air fryer recipe. It’s a healthy air fryer recipe too!

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

We’ve got a good one for you today.

You’re going to love this recipe for Buffalo Wing Cauliflower in the air fryer.

It’s like eating a Buffalo Chicken Wing but with less fat and calories.

And you’re literally eating your vegetables!

Who can complain about that?

And don’t miss our buyer’s guide to the best non-toxic air fryers.

Disclosure – I may get a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.

buffalo cauliflower air fryer

Key to Success #1 – Big Cauliflower Florets

This recipe starts with a head of cauliflower.

You can also get a bag or two of fresh cauliflower florets.

I do not recommend using frozen cauliflower in this recipe.

Use a small paring knife to cut the head of cauliflower into large florets.

The pieces of cauliflower should be bite-sized, about half the size of a typical chicken wing.

Try to avoid small florets or use the small ones for another recipe.

It’s important to cut the cauliflower florets in a similar size so that some will not be overcooked or undercooked.

air fryer buffalo cauliflower

Key to Success #2 – Lightly Batter the Cauliflower

The batter on these cauliflower starts with a base of all-purpose flour and water.

We’re adding a little olive oil and some seasonings so that the flavorful batter will get crispy in the air fryer.

Mix up the batter in a medium-sized bowl and stir until just combined.

Next, place the cauliflower into a gallon-sized zip-top baggie and pour in about 2/3 of the batter.

Toss and turn the bag until the cauliflower is fully coated with the batter.

If needed, you can add more of the batter. The cauliflower should be lightly coated with batter.

How much batter you will need really depends on how large your head of cauliflower is and how many florets you have.

You could also just stir the cauliflower and batter around in the bowl until it is fully coated, but I think the baggie method is gentler on the cauliflower.

buffalo cauliflower air fryer

Key to Success #3 – Toss in Panko Bread Crumbs

Pour the lightly coated cauliflower back into the bowl and sprinkle Panko bread crumbs over it.

Gently stir and toss the cauliflower to coat it with a light layer of bread crumbs.

The Panko bread crumbs will add a nice crunch to your cauliflower and make it more like traditional buffalo chicken wings.

Place the cauliflower in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer.

You can cook the cauliflower in batches if you have too much to fit into your air fryer in a single layer.

Cook the cauliflower for 7 minutes then shake the air fryer basket to redistribute the cauliflower.

Air fry the cauliflower for another 5-7 minutes until it is starting to soften and it is lightly browned.

Cook all the batches of breaded cauliflower before adding the sauce.

Key to Success #4 – Add the Buffalo Wing sauce

When the breaded cauliflower florets come out of the air fryer, place them into a large bowl and pour the buffalo wing sauce over the top.

Use a spoon or a spatula to gently stir the cauliflower to coat it in the sauce.

Stir very gently so that you don’t tear the cauliflower apart or lose your breading.

Place the sauced cauliflower back into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for about 3-5 minutes.

The cauliflower should be tender-crisp and the sauce should be caramelized but not browned.

cauliflower buffalo wings air fryer

Save this Cauliflower Buffalo Wing Air Fryer recipe to your favorite Air Fryer Snacks board or your Healthy Recipes board.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a crunchy air fryer appetizer that tastes just like Buffalo Chicken Wings. If you like spicy snacks, you're going to love this easy air fryer recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray's Buffalo Wing Sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine milk, flour, olive oil, garlic powder, and pepper.
  3. Place cauliflower florets in a large zip-top plastic bag then pour in about 2/3 of the batter. Toss and turn the bag until the cauliflower is fully coated. Add more batter if needed. The cauliflower should be lightly coated with batter.
  4. Pour coated cauliflower back into the bowl and sprinkle Panko bread crumbs over the top. Toss the cauliflower with the bread crumbs.
  5. In batch, place the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket to redistribute the cauliflower and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the cauliflower begins to soften and brown slightly.
  6. Remove the cauliflower to a clean bowl and add buffalo wing sauce, stirring to fully coat the cauliflower in the sauce.
  7. Return the coated cauliflower back to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cauliflower is tender-crisp and the sauce is caramelized.
  8. Serve with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

If you cook the cauliflower in batches, cook all the batches without sauce then cook the batches with sauce.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 215Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 1172mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 8g

Nutrition Information Provided For Educational and Informational Purposes Only.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have suggestions for improvement?

Your feedback helps us create better recipes for you. Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!

Air Fryer Spicy Peanuts

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Spicy Mac and Cheese Bites

Air Fryer Tyson Chicken Fries

Skip to Recipe