Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings by using crispy, battered cauliflower florets coated in spicy buffalo sauce. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or snack, it’s quick to prepare and air fried for a crunchy texture without the extra oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter Ingredients
- â…” 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
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, broken into large florets
Sauces
- Buffalo Sauce, for brushing
- Vegan Ranch, for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and allow it to preheat fully to ensure optimal crisping of the cauliflower.
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and water until you have a smooth and slightly thick batter.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each large cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure it’s fully coated to achieve a crispy crust when air fried.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the battered cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that they cook evenly without overcrowding.
- First air frying: Air fry the florets at 400°F for 9 minutes until they start to firm up and lightly crisp.
- Flip and sauce: Carefully flip the cauliflower florets to the other side, then brush them generously with buffalo sauce for that signature spicy flavor.
- Second air frying: Return the sauced florets to the air fryer and air fry for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until crispy and slightly browned.
- Final serving: Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer and brush with more buffalo sauce. Serve immediately with vegan ranch dressing for a cooling contrast, if desired.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- If you don’t have buffalo sauce, hot sauce mixed with melted vegan butter works as a good substitute.
- For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the florets in batter before air frying.
- Keep an eye on the cauliflower during the last 5-10 minutes of air frying to avoid burning.
- This recipe is vegan-friendly and can be customized with different dipping sauces.
