Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is my favorite way to make a healthy, vegetarian, gluten-free version of deep-fried chicken wings. This savory side dish is so quick and easy to make using only 4 ingredients that cook into crispy, crunchy, flavorful cauliflower wings.
Cauliflower Wings in the Air Fryer
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings recipe is so simple and easy, with its convection-style heating that creates crispy cauliflower bites that rival even the best restaurant appetizers. The florets are quickly coated in a flavorful Buffalo sauce, then tossed in cornstarch and cooked to crunchy perfection.
Serve them as a savory side dish, a spicy appetizer, or as a topping for your main meal, these air fry Buffalo bites are the best way to turn a boring head of cauliflower into flavorful sauce-infused florets.
They’re delicious when dunked in your favorite creamy dip and pair perfectly with other vegetables when you need to tame that tangy heat.
For more easy ways to cook with cauliflower, check out my Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, and Sticky Sesame Cauliflower recipes.
Why We Love This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Quick and easy to make in the air fryer.
- Only uses 4 simple ingredients.
- Can be a low carb, Keto-friendly, vegan appetizer with a few ingredients swaps.
- Healthier alternative to deep-fried buffalo wings.
- Has the fiery heat of buffalo wings without the extra fat.
- Crispy and crunchy game day bites, appetizers or snacks to serve with a dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower
- Buffalo sauce (Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is my go-to, but use your favorite brand)
- Unsalted butter
- Cornstarch
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Substitutions and Additions
- Perfect Pairings: Pair your bites with your favorite creamy dip for serving. Choose a Ranch dressing, Bleu cheese dressing, French onion dip, or even a garlicky yogurt sauce.
- Cut The Carbs: You can replace the cornstarch and coat the florets with almond flour, almond meal, keto bread crumbs, coconut flour, flax seeds, unsweetened coconut, crushed pork rinds, or you can simply make them without breading.
- Vegan Version: For a vegan version, replace the butter with a non-dairy butter substitute, or you can try coconut oil, coconut butter, or olive oil.
Recommended Tools
- Air Fryer
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Air Fried Cauliflower Wings are a simple way to spice up a head of cauliflower. It is so quick and easy to make these cauliflower bites and serve them Buffalo-style with your favorite creamy dip.
- Cut: Cut cauliflower into florets then wash and drain and dry them.
- Coat: Combine the florets with the buffalo sauce and melted butter. Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss to coated evenly.
- Cook: Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Cook at 350 degrees for 8 minutes and flip. Cook for an additional 7 minutes or until the florets reach desired texture (air fry for about 15 minutes total – all air fryers cook differently, so you may need to adjust the time).
Pro Tip: Leave space around florets for even cooking. You will likely have to cook them in 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer. - Serve: Serve immediately with extra buffalo sauce and dip. Garnish with parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- Do not crowd the air fryer pan. If you crowd it, the cauliflower bites will turn out soggy. This is why you should cook the cauliflower in two batches. You need to have enough air flow to go all around each piece.
- All air fryers are different so be sure you learn how to use an air fryers. I used the Cosori Air fryer for this recipe. You may have to adjust the time and temperature if you have a different model.
- Use gluten-free flour instead of cornstarch if you have a gluten sensitivity.
Storage Tips
- To Store: This cauliflower is best served immediately but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat any leftovers in the toaster oven or air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
To easily cut cauliflower into florets, remove the green leaves at the base. Cut the cauliflower
in half and then the two halves in half again. Remove the core in each of the quarters and
then it should be easy to pull apart the florets.
I recommend using only fresh flower for this recipe. Frozen florets have a lot of moisture and is a not a good choice when used with a cornstarch coating.
The main ingredients in hot sauce is made with hot peppers, salt, and vinegar whereas buffalo sauce is already seasoned with spices and butter or butter extract added to it. It creates a mild creaminess and butteriness to the spiciness.
Buffalo sauce can be found in the grocery section with the hot sauces, but if you cannot find it or do not have it, you can substitute your favorite hot sauce and 2 tablespoons of butter instead of 1 tablespoon. You can also season to taste.
Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Garlic Knots
- The Best French Fries in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 8 tablespoons buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Extra buffalo sauce for serving and dip of your choice.
Instructions
- Cut cauliflower into florets on a cutting board. Wash and drain florets in a colander and dry with paper towels.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees.
- Add the florets to a large bowl and combine the buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss to ensure all the florets are coated evenly.
- When the air fryer is hot, arrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer on the tray. Leave space around florets for even cooking. You will likely have to cook them in 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook at 350 degrees for 8 minutes and flip. Cook for an additional 7 minutes or until the florets reach desired texture.
- Serve immediately with extra buffalo sauce and dip of choice and parsley garnish if desired.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: This cauliflower is best served immediately but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat any leftovers in the toaster oven or air fryer.
- Do not crowd the air fryer pan. If you crowd it, the cauliflower bites will turn out soggy. This is why you should cook the cauliflower in two batches. You need to have enough air flow to go all around each piece.
- All air fryers are different. I used the Cosori Air fryer for this recipe. You may have to adjust the time and temperature if you have a different model.
- Use gluten-free flour instead of cornstarch if you have a gluten sensitivity.
- To easily cut cauliflower into florets, remove the green leaves at the base. Cut the cauliflower in half and then the two halves in half again. Remove the core in each of the quarters and then it should be easy to pull apart the florets.
- Buffalo sauce can be found in the grocery section with the hot sauces, It is already seasoned with spices and butter or butter extract. If you don’t have buffalo sauce, you can sub your favorite hot sauce and 2 tablespoons of butter instead of 1. You can also season to taste.
