Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Printable)

Crispy cauliflower florets air-fried to golden perfection, coated in tangy buffalo sauce for a spicy vegetarian bite.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Batter

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Buffalo Sauce

09 - 1/4 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ For serving

12 - Celery sticks
13 - Blue cheese or ranch dressing (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until you have a smooth batter.
03 - Add the cauliflower florets to the batter, tossing until evenly coated.
04 - Shake off excess batter and arrange florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
05 - Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
06 - Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup if using.
07 - Transfer cooked cauliflower to a clean bowl, drizzle with buffalo sauce, and toss to coat evenly.
08 - Return sauced cauliflower to the air fryer for another 3–5 minutes to set the sauce and crisp further.
09 - Serve immediately with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing if desired.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The batter creates that perfect crunch that people think is impossible with cauliflower
  • You get all the spicy, tangy satisfaction of wings without the post-snack heavy feeling
  • The air fryer does all the hard work while you mix up the sauce in minutes
02 -
  • Overcrowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to end up with soggy, sad cauliflower
  • Letting excess batter drip off before air frying prevents those gummy spots that never quite crisp up
  • The second air fry after saucing is essential for that restaurant-style finish where the sauce caramelizes slightly
03 -
  • Spray the battered florets lightly with oil before the first air fry for extra crunch
  • Let the cauliflower cool for just 2-3 minutes after the final air fry so the sauce sets properly
  • Double the sauce if you're heavy-handed like my family tends to be

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