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
Scale
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:
- â…“ 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.
