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If you love bold flavors with a bit of crunch and heat, then this Crispy & Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe is going to become your new go-to snack or appetizer. Imagine tender cauliflower florets coated in a perfectly seasoned batter, air fried to crispy perfection, and then drenched in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce that delivers just the right amount of kick. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings, and the air fryer makes the process quick, easy, and impressively mess-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but essential—they work together to create incredible texture, vibrant flavor, and that classic buffalo flair. Each element plays a crucial role, from the coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer to the sauce that packs a delicious spicy punch.
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets: The star of the dish, offering a satisfying crunch and a mild base for the bold flavors.
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour: Helps create the perfect crispy coating when mixed with the seasonings and liquid.
- ½ cup (120ml) water or milk (dairy or plant-based): Binds the batter together and hydrates the flour for a smooth texture.
- 1 tsp garlic powder: Adds depth and a savory warmth to both batter and sauce.
- 1 tsp onion powder: Brings a subtle sweetness that rounds out the seasoning.
- ½ tsp smoked paprika: Delivers a smoky, earthy touch that pairs perfectly with the buffalo sauce.
- ½ tsp salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
- ½ tsp black pepper: Adds just a hint of heat to balance the richness.
- ⅓ cup (80ml) hot sauce: The fiery heart of the buffalo sauce that wakes up your taste buds.
- 2 tbsp melted butter (or vegan butter for plant-based option): Gives the sauce richness and helps it cling beautifully to the cauliflower.
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness that mellows the heat and creates a balanced flavor.
- ½ tsp garlic powder (for sauce): Reinforces that garlicky goodness in the tangy sauce.
How to Make Crispy & Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
Start by whisking together the flour, water or milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until you have a smooth batter. This batter will coat the cauliflower and give it a fantastic crispy layer once air fried.
Step 2: Coat the Cauliflower Florets
Toss the cauliflower florets into the batter, making sure every piece is evenly covered. Give the florets a little shake to remove any excess batter. This ensures they’ll crisp nicely without sogginess.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheating helps the cauliflower cook evenly and crisp up quickly once inside.
Step 4: Air Fry the Cauliflower
Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Air fry them for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to promote even crispiness on all sides.
Step 5: Make the Buffalo Sauce
While the cauliflower cooks, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, honey or maple syrup, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Stir well to fully blend the flavors into a luscious spicy sauce.
Step 6: Toss Cauliflower in Sauce
Transfer the cooked cauliflower into a bowl and toss it with the buffalo sauce until each piece is thoroughly coated in that irresistible spicy glaze.
Step 7: Final Air Fry
Return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. This step allows the sauce to caramelize just a bit, locking in flavor while keeping that delightful crispness.
How to Serve Crispy & Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley, a handful of sesame seeds, or a little squeeze of lemon brightens the dish and adds a pop of color and fresh flavor. These simple finishing touches elevate the presentation and taste.
Side Dishes
This crispy and spicy cauliflower pairs wonderfully with cool dips like ranch or blue cheese dressing, and crunchy veggie sticks such as celery and carrot create a classic hot-and-cool contrast that everyone loves.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the cauliflower over a bed of leafy greens or alongside your favorite grain bowl to add texture and spice. You could also stuff them into soft tortillas with a slaw for a buffalo cauliflower taco that’s bursting with flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover buffalo cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cauliflower retains its flavor well but may lose some crispiness.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked cauliflower by spreading it out on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For reheating, pop the cauliflower back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to bring back that crispy texture and warm the sauce without turning it soggy. Avoid microwaving to keep it crunchy!
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Use a plant-based milk and vegan butter to keep everything fully vegan while maintaining the delicious crispy and spicy flavor profile.
What type of hot sauce works best?
Classic buffalo-style hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot is ideal because it balances heat and tang perfectly, but feel free to experiment with your favorite hot sauce for different flavor twists.
Can I bake this instead of air frying?
You can bake the cauliflower at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, but the air fryer will give you the best crispy results with less oil.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that behaves similarly in batters. This ensures crispiness without gluten.
How spicy is this dish?
The heat level is moderate thanks to the buffalo sauce, but you can easily adjust the spice by adding more or less hot sauce or balancing with extra honey or maple syrup.
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t recommend this Crispy & Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe enough. It’s a showstopper for game day, a cheeky snack for movie night, or even a tasty side at dinner. The perfect combination of spice, crunch, and flavor means it’s a dish everyone keeps coming back for. So grab your ingredients, preheat that air fryer, and get ready to impress your taste buds!
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Crispy & Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a deliciously crispy and spicy snack with this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe. Perfectly battered and coated in a tangy buffalo sauce, these cauliflower florets are air-fried to golden perfection, making a healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Ideal as an appetizer or a tasty side dish.
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120ml) water or milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- ⅓ cup (80ml) hot sauce
- 2 tbsp melted butter (or vegan butter for plant-based option)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, water (or milk), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter, ensuring they are evenly coated. Shake off excess batter before placing them in the air fryer to prevent clumping.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure an even cooking temperature.
- Arrange Cauliflower: Place the battered cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow proper air flow and crisping.
- Air Fry: Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning and crispiness.
- Make Buffalo Sauce: In a small bowl, combine hot sauce, melted butter, honey (or maple syrup), and garlic powder, stirring until thoroughly mixed.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce until fully coated for maximum flavor.
- Caramelize the Sauce: Return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to let the sauce caramelize and stick to the florets.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley, sesame seeds, or add a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing alongside veggie sticks for a perfect appetizer or snack.
Notes
- You can use any plant-based milk to keep this recipe vegan.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the buffalo sauce to suit your spice tolerance.
- Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps ensure even crispness.
- For extra crunch, lightly spray the cauliflower with cooking oil before air frying.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer for crispiness.
