Description

This Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe delivers a flavorful, crunchy appetizer or snack with a spicy buffalo sauce coating. Using an air fryer ensures the cauliflower becomes perfectly crispy without excess oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional fried buffalo wings. The recipe pairs well with ranch or blue cheese dressing and a garnish of fresh green onions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower and Batter

1 medium head of cauliflower (about 2 lbs / 900g), cut into bite-sized florets
1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour or gluten-free 1:1 blend
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup (120ml) water or sparkling water
Pinch of salt

Buffalo Sauce

1/2 cup (120ml) Frank’s RedHot Original sauce
2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted

For Serving

1/2 cup (120ml) thick ranch dressing
1/4 cup (60ml) blue cheese dressing (optional)
2 stalks green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

Prep the cauliflower: Wash the cauliflower head thoroughly and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Cut it into uniform, bite-sized florets approximately 1.5 inches in size. Place the florets in a large bowl to prepare for battering.
Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. In a separate container, mix the water or sparkling water with a pinch of salt. Gradually pour the liquid into the flour mixture while whisking until a smooth batter forms, similar in consistency to pancake batter.
Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure each piece is evenly coated with a thick layer. Shake off any excess batter gently, then arrange the coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness.
Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Cook the cauliflower for 10-12 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through cooking (around the 5-minute mark) to ensure even browning. Cook until the florets are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Make the buffalo sauce: While the cauliflower is cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in the Frank’s RedHot Original sauce until fully combined and smooth.
Toss and serve: Immediately transfer the hot, crispy cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the florets, then toss gently to coat them evenly. Serve right away accompanied by ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, colorful touch.

Notes

Patting cauliflower dry before battering is key to achieving a crispy coating in the air fryer.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; better results come from cooking in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend to make the recipe gluten-free.
Sparkling water adds extra lightness to the batter, but regular water works well too.
Blue cheese dressing is optional and adds a tangy classic flavor when served alongside the buffalo cauliflower.
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of Frank’s RedHot sauce in the buffalo sauce.

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, air fryer recipe, crispy cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, healthy buffalo wings alternative, spicy snack