Best Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Craving spicy, tangy buffalo flavor but want a healthier option? This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower delivers incredible crispiness without all the oil. It's the perfect snack, appetizer, or side dish that even meat-eaters will love.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
- Parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for dipping optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth batter.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss to coat evenly, ensuring each floret is well-covered.
- Place the battered cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown.
- While the cauliflower is air frying, prepare the buffalo sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce and melted butter.
- Once the cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a clean bowl.
- Pour the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
For extra crispy cauliflower, pat the florets dry before coating them in the batter. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the cauliflower will steam instead of crisping. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spice level. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but the cauliflower will lose some of its crispness. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore some crispness.