Description

This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe delivers a crispy, flavorful, and healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Coated in a seasoned batter and air fried to perfection, these cauliflower florets are brushed with tangy buffalo sauce and served with optional vegan ranch for dipping. A perfect vegan appetizer or snack that’s easy to make and packed with bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter Ingredients

⅔ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
¼ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon sea salt
¾ cup water

Vegetables & Sauces

1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, broken into large florets
Buffalo sauce, for brushing (about ½ cup)
Vegan ranch, for dipping (optional, about ¼ cup)

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Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it reaches the optimal cooking temperature for crisping the battered cauliflower.
Prepare Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and water until you achieve a smooth, thick batter. This mixture will evenly coat the cauliflower and help create a crispy exterior.
Coat Cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure they are fully coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off before arranging them in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
First Air Fry: Place the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 9 minutes at 400°F to begin crisping the batter.
Flip & Brush with Buffalo Sauce: After 9 minutes, carefully flip the florets to cook evenly on all sides. Brush them generously with buffalo sauce to infuse flavor.
Second Air Fry: Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cauliflower is crispy and golden brown, and the buffalo sauce has set slightly.
Serve: Remove the crispy buffalo cauliflower from the air fryer, brush with extra buffalo sauce for added heat and flavor, and serve hot with vegan ranch dressing if desired.

Notes

For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch if you require a gluten-free version.
Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your preferred spice level.
Vegan ranch is optional but pairs perfectly to balance out the heat from the buffalo sauce.
Cauliflower florets should be uniform in size to ensure even cooking.