Craving something spicy, crispy, and satisfying — but still healthy?
Say hello to Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, the ultimate guilt-free comfort food that’s crunchy on the outside, tender inside, and drenched in bold buffalo flavor! 🔥
This easy recipe turns ordinary cauliflower into an addictive snack or side dish — perfect for game days, movie nights, or anytime you want that classic buffalo wing flavor without the meat.
The best part? No deep-frying, no mess, and ready in under 20 minutes!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients:
1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
½ cup water (or milk for extra richness)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 tbsp butter, melted (optional, for extra flavor)
Non-stick cooking spray
For Serving:
Ranch dressing or blue cheese dip
Celery sticks and carrot sticks
👩🍳 How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower
Start by washing and cutting your cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
Pat them dry with a paper towel — removing moisture helps them crisp up perfectly in the air fryer.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Water (or milk)
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Paprika
Salt and pepper
Mix until smooth. The batter should be slightly thick — enough to coat the cauliflower evenly without dripping too much.
Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower
Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and toss gently until each piece is well coated.
For extra crunch, you can roll the coated florets in panko breadcrumbs (optional step).
Step 4: Air Fry the Cauliflower
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
Place the cauliflower florets in a single layer — don’t overcrowd (you can cook in batches if needed).
Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
They should turn a light golden brown and feel firm on the outside.
Step 5: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
In a small bowl, mix buffalo sauce with melted butter.
Once the cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a clean bowl and pour the buffalo sauce mixture over it. Toss until evenly coated and glistening with that spicy shine! 🌶️
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dip, plus celery and carrot sticks for that classic buffalo vibe.
Every bite gives you that perfect mix of heat, crunch, and satisfaction — without the calories of fried wings! 💪
🕒 Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
🧀 Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
✔️ Crispy Without Frying – Air frying gives you that crunch without oil.
✔️ Low-Calorie & Vegetarian – Perfect for anyone watching calories or avoiding meat.
✔️ Ready in Minutes – Simple ingredients, quick prep, fast cooking.
✔️ Addictive Flavor – The tangy-spicy buffalo coating tastes just like wings!
✔️ Great for Parties & Game Nights – Crowd favorite snack or side dish.
💡 Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Dry the Cauliflower Well:
Moisture prevents crisping, so always pat dry before coating.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket:
Leave space for hot air to circulate; cook in batches for best results.
Flip or Shake Halfway:
This ensures even crisping on all sides.
Sauce at the End:
Coat with buffalo sauce after air frying to keep the crust crispy.
Reheat Tip:
To reheat leftovers, air fry at 375°F for 4–5 minutes — they’ll get crispy again!
🌿 Make It Your Own – Variations
✨ Gluten-Free:
Use almond flour or chickpea flour instead of all-purpose.
✨ Extra Crispy:
Roll the battered florets in panko breadcrumbs before air frying.
✨ Sweet & Spicy:
Mix buffalo sauce with a bit of honey or maple syrup.
✨ Garlic Parmesan Version:
Skip buffalo sauce and toss with melted butter, garlic, and grated Parmesan.
✨ Keto-Friendly:
Use crushed pork rinds or almond meal for coating instead of flour.
🥣 Homemade Buffalo Sauce (Optional)
Want to make your own buffalo sauce? It’s simple:
½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp honey (optional, for balance)
½ tsp garlic powder
Melt butter in a saucepan, add hot sauce, and whisk until smooth. That’s it — spicy perfection! 🔥
🧊 Storage & Reheating
To Store:
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Reheat:
Air fry again at 375°F (190°C) for 4–5 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving — it makes them soggy.
To Freeze:
Freeze before saucing. When ready to eat, air fry from frozen and toss with buffalo sauce after.
🧡 Serving Ideas
Pair your buffalo cauliflower with:
Ranch or blue cheese dressing
Celery and carrot sticks
Burgers, wraps, or sliders
A cool yogurt dip to balance the heat
Or make it into a buffalo cauliflower taco 🌮 — add lettuce, ranch drizzle, and wrap it up!
📈 Nutrition (Per Serving)
(Approximate values)
Calories: 170 kcal
Protein: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fat: 7 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Low in calories, high in flavor — and way lighter than fried wings!
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