Easy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites – Air Fryer Recipe
Cauliflower bites are air-fried in a batter and covered in a spicy sauce. They are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Serve this delicious buffalo cauliflower bites air fryer recipe as a tasty appetizer or side dish.
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Buffalo cauliflower wings are a popular vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings. They are a perfect appetizer for those who want to enjoy the delicious classic flavor of buffalo wings without eating meat. They are also a great way to add more vegetables to your diet.
Cauliflower is one of our favorite veggies, it has so many health benefits and is so versatile! It can be eaten raw or cooked, even enjoyed as rice in a cauliflower rice bowl.
Why you will love this crispy cauliflower recipe
- It’s a healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. The air fryer uses very little oil.
- Easy to make! Air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings only require a few simple ingredients.
- Flavor! These bites are spicy and tangy and sure to satisfy your cravings for wings.
Here is what you will need to make air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings
This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this air fryer cauliflower recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower
- Hot Sauce such as Frank’s red hot sauce
- Unsalted Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Water
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
🥄Equipment
- Air fryer
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
How to make this air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe
Prepare the ingredients: Cut a head of cauliflower into pieces that are about 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches in size. Measure the flour and seasonings and mix the hot sauce and melted butter.
STEP 1: Prepare the batter by adding all of the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl; add water, mix well.
STEP 2: Add the cauliflower florets to the large bowl with the four mixture and stir until all of the florets are covered with the batter.
STEP 3: Use a slotted spoon to drain off excess batter from the florets, and arrange them on the air fryer basket or air fryer tray in a single layer.
STEP 4: Set the temperature on your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Cook for 15 minutes, and remove them from the air fryer.
STEP 5: Use a pastry brush to brush the hot sauce mixture over the florets and place them back into the air fryer for 10 minutes longer.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Cauliflower – Look for cauliflower that is firm with fresh leaves. Avoid cauliflower heads that show signs of softness or small brown spots which means they are aging.
Hot Sauce – Any type of hot sauce will work in this recipe. Our preference is Frank’s .
Unsalted Butter – I use unsalted butter in this recipe because there is a lot of salt in the hot sauce. You can use salted butter if you like, or you can substitute the butter with an equal amount of coconut oil or olive oil for a vegan version.
How to make air fryer buffalo cauliflower ahead of time
Although the process of making buffalo cauliflower is simple, you can also prepare this recipe in advance. Cut the cauliflower into pieces and mix the ingredients for the batter. Store the cauliflower and batter in separate containers in the refrigerator for one to two days. Prior to cooking, allow them to reach room temperature. While the cauliflower is cooking, mix the sauce and butter.
What to serve with spicy cauliflower bites
Serve these crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites with carrot and celery sticks and a side of your favorite creamy dips such as blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for a dipping sauce. They also taste great as a side dish with beef burgers, turkey burgers, or grilled chicken.
Buffalo cauliflower bites are also perfect for wrapping in a tortilla for buffalo cauliflower tacos.
How to Store leftovers
Even though they taste best when served immediately, leftover cauliflower bites can be stored in an airtight container for four days. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven. Do not reheat leftover cauliflower bites in the microwave as they may become soggy.
Recipe variations
Honey Sriracha – For a sweet and spicy kick, replace buffalo sauce with a mixture of a quarter cup honey and a quarter cup Sriracha sauce.
Ranch Buffalo Cauliflower – Add a teaspoon of ranch seasoning to the batter and serve with ranch dressing.
Gluten-free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites – Replace wheat flour with an equal amount of gluten free flour such as almond flour.
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Tips
- Cooking time can vary depending your air fryer.
- Save time and buy a bag of precut cauliflower florets.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket; it will result in soggy cauliflower bites.
- If you like a lower spice level for your cauliflower bites, use 1/2 the amount of hot sauce. If you like them spicier, add a little bit more!
- Serve immediately for the best and crispiest results.
- Be sure that the florets are evenly sized and at least 1 1/2 inches in size. Smaller pieces of cauliflower don’t work well in this recipe.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook this recipe in batches. Once they are finished cooking, keep them warm in the oven.
Recipe FAQs
No. They do not taste like chicken wings. But they are a great alternative with buffalo flavor. But they are made with cauliflower so the texture and flavor are slightly different. Cauliflower wings are a healthier choice than chicken wings, with less fat, more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
No. They are not. This recipe uses butter mixed with hot sauce, which can be substituted with vegan butter, olive oil, or coconut oil for vegan buffalo cauliflower wings.
Yes, you can make buffalo cauliflower bites in the oven. Follow the directions in the recipe card to make the batter and hot sauce. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the batter coated florets onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove it from the oven and brush on the hot sauce, then bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer.
If you like buffalo sauce, try these recipes
Do you like this recipe or have a question?
Please leave a comment or question and a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating below. I answer all questions!
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 cup flour all purpse
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup hot sauce such as Frank's
Instructions
- Rinse and cut 1 head of cauliflower into bite sized pieces about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in size.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder,1 teaspoon paprika and 1 cup water together to make a batter.
- Add the cauliflower to the batter in the bowl and stir until the pieces are well coated with the batter (you may have to do this in batches for a larger head of cauliflower).
- Remove the cauliflower florets from the batter with a slotted spoon, and arrange them onto the tray or basket of the air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, melt3 tablespoons unsalted butter and stir in 1/2 cup hot sauce
- Use a pastry to brush the hot sauce mixture onto the cauliflower pieces making sure all sides are covered. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to your taste.
- Cook for 10 minutes longer depending on how you like the texture of the cauliflower.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
I’ve been looking into getting an air fryer. This snack sounds delicious, especially with the hot sauce!
One of my favorite restaurants makes Buffalo Cauliflower bites – I am so excited to make them at home. Thank you!
These cauliflower bites are perfect! So delicious and easy to make!
Delicious! What a fun way to eat cauliflower. 🙂
These have the best flavor. They’re addictive!
Yum! The perfect snack food!
So good and perfect with homemade ranch!
Super fun party food for the upcoming Bowl, thanks!
This looks like a great recipe for my new air fryer- toaster oven. Can I sub GF flour for the wheat flour?
This is an absolute crowd pleading recipe. Can’t believe how easy it is to make. And thanks for the non yet healthy air fryer option.
I have been on the fence for an air fryer- do you mind if I ask if you have the one that is linked here- does that one have shelves?
Hi Barrie, The air fryer in my link is the one that I have, and I love it and it does have shelves (about 4 or 5 of them). It can also be used as a dehydrator and a rotisserie. I have only used the air fryer and dehydrator functions thoguh.