Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Printable Version)
Crispy cauliflower florets coated in spicy buffalo sauce, air-fried until perfectly crisp and flavorful.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
→ Coating
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Buffalo Sauce
09 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
→ Serving (optional)
12 - 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
13 - Celery sticks
14 - Carrot sticks
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
03 - Toss cauliflower florets in the batter to ensure even coating.
04 - Arrange coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket; cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp. Work in batches if necessary.
05 - Combine hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a small bowl to create the buffalo sauce.
06 - Transfer cooked cauliflower to a clean bowl and toss thoroughly with buffalo sauce.
07 - Return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer for an additional 2–3 minutes to set the coating.
08 - Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing alongside celery and carrot sticks.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- They're ridiculously crispy on the outside without needing a deep fryer—just your trusty air fryer doing the heavy lifting.
- You can make them as mild or as fiery as you want, making it easy to please different heat tolerances at the same table.
- A full batch comes together in under 35 minutes, which is perfect for unexpected guests or when you're craving something snacky.
02 -
- Preheat your air fryer properly—skipping this step results in a soggy instead of crispy exterior, and once you notice the difference you'll never rush it again.
- The second air fry isn't optional; it sets the sauce and keeps the cauliflower from getting chewy, which I learned the hard way the first few times.
03 -
- Make the buffalo sauce while the cauliflower is cooking so you're never waiting around with a hot batch getting cold.
- If you prefer gluten-free, chickpea flour creates an even crispier coat than traditional flour and tastes fantastic.