This plate of air fryer buffalo cauliflower will have you returning bite for bite! The hot air fryer takes care of the cauliflower in no time by making it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Tossing with buffalo sauce adds massive flavor to the appetizer!
I’m generally a traditionalist when it comes to chicken wings. Please give me the classic! But if you’re catering to a vegetarian crowd or just want something different (and a little healthier), this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower has all the spicy, earthy flavors you’re wanting to set your wing!
This version is a riff on my regular air fryer crispy cauliflower. To make the cauliflower crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, add the sauce right at the end of cooking to avoid burning, then blast the florets in the air fryer for a final quick cooking session.
In short, it’s easier than a full fryer and definitely healthier! I was amazed at how crispy and wonderful the finished florets are. It almost seems like a cheat code.
The buffalo sauce I used is a really classic mix of hot sauce, butter, and spices. Tastes like game day to me and goes surprisingly well with cauliflower.
No air fryer? Make buffalo cauliflower in your oven!
Baking this cauliflower is absolutely an option. It takes longer and the cauliflower doesn’t get quite as crispy, to be honest, but it works and turns out great.
I recommend lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup, and you’ll need to roast the cauliflower at 400F for at least 30 minutes, maybe even 45 minutes to get a really crispy bud. At the 30 minute mark, start checking the florets. They’re done when they’re crispy on the outside, but you can easily pierce them with a fork.
Buffalo Sauce Swaps and Substitutions
Dips for the buffalo cauliflower
Ranch dressing or blue cheese sauce is the standard here and I’m not sure I’d mess with it too much. It’s a classic for a reason: it’s delicious!
Can you make buffalo cauliflower ahead of time?
You can absolutely prep the cauliflower and bread and ready it ahead of time and make the sauce ahead of time. The cooked cauliflower florets lose a lot of their pizzazz in the fridge, though, so I’d only air fry as much as you can eat.
leftovers!
However, if you have leftovers, don’t throw them away! You can bring them back to life (as much as possible) either in the air fryer for a quick 2-3 minute reheat session, or in an oven for 5-6 minutes. I wouldn’t put the leftovers in the microwave!
More great air fryer recipes
- Hot air fryer Crispy cauliflower
- Chicken wings from the air fryer
- Air Fryer Chinese Spring Rolls
- Avocado fries from the air fryer
- Tostones air fryer
- Air fryer mozzarella sticks
Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can place the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast in your oven for 30 minutes, turning once halfway through. Then brush the cauliflower lightly with sauce and roast for another 5 minutes. Then serve warm with extra sauce.
ingredients
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1 big head cauliflowerbroken into 1 inch flowers
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2 eggs
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1 Cup unadorned breadcrumbs
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nonstick cooking spray
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1 Cup Frank’s hot sauce
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1/4 Cup buttermelted
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Options:
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Blue Cheese Saucefor diving
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Fresh carrots and celeryon the website
method
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Break up the cauliflower
Cut back the green stalks at the head of the cauliflower, then break or cut the head into florets about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. It’s easiest to start near the base of the cauliflower and work your way toward the center.
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Dip in egg yolk and breadcrumbs
In a bowl large enough for the florets, whisk together 2 eggs and 1/4 cup water. Add the florets to the egg mixture.
Use a slotted spoon to stir the florets, making sure they are well coated. Remove the florets from the egg mixture and add to the breadcrumbs. Toss them around until well coated.
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Air fry the breaded cauliflower
Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Place the breaded florets in the basket in a single layer. Try not to overfill them. Set the air fryer to 350°F and fry the cauliflower for 7 minutes. Flip each flower and fry for another 7 minutes. Transferred to a plate.
Repeat this process until all of the cauliflower is fried.
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Prepare buffalo sauce
In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
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Smear it over the fried cauliflower
Dip the florets of breaded and fried cauliflower one at a time with a light coating of sauce. Place the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer and fry for another 4 minutes. Transferred to a plate.
Repeat the roasting process with all your florets.
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surcharge
Serve the florets warm with blue cheese sauce, leftover buffalo sauce and veggies on the side.
| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 201 | calories |
| 11g | Fat |
| 20g | carbohydrates |
| 7g | protein |
