Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, flavorful, and coated in a spicy buffalo sauce. They’re a perfect vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings and make a great appetizer, snack, or game-day treat. Serve them with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- ½ cup water (or milk for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch, optional)
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for balance)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, water (or milk), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to form a smooth batter.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, then roll in panko breadcrumbs if using. Shake off excess.
- Air Fry the Bites: Arrange cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together buffalo sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using).
- Toss & Serve: Transfer the crispy cauliflower to a bowl, toss with buffalo sauce, and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
Make it Crispier: Double-coat in panko for extra crunch.
Less Spicy? Use a milder hot sauce or mix buffalo sauce with extra butter.
Storage: Best eaten fresh! But you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes.
Vegan Option: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and a dairy-free dip.