Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Crispy, bite-sized cauliflower florets coated in spicy buffalo sauce.
In a nutshell: This authentic american air fryer buffalo cauliflower comes together in just 25 mins using simple whole ingredients. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
A healthy, low-carb alternative to traditional buffalo chicken wings. These cauliflower bites are air-fried to a perfect crisp and tossed in hot buffalo sauce. Served with celery and blue cheese dressing.
Key Equipment
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Chef's Pro-Tips
- Ensure Florets are Bone Dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Dry the cut cauliflower florets thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel before tossing with batter or seasonings.
- Do Not Overcrowd the Basket: Cook in a single, spaced layer. Overcrowding traps steam and makes the florets soggy instead of golden, blistering, and crunchy.
Ingredients
4
servings
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1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
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½ cup all-purpose flour, or rice flour
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½ cup water
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ cup buffalo hot sauce
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2 tbsp melted butter, or coconut oil
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Cauliflower & Batter
Cut the cauliflower head into bite-sized florets. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and water until a smooth batter forms (it should have the thickness of pancake batter). Toss the cauliflower florets in the batter until they are completely coated, letting any excess drip off.
Air Fry to Crisp
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure crispy edges (cook in batches if needed). Spray lightly with oil. Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the batter is cooked through, firm, and golden-brown.
Glaze with Buffalo Sauce
In a bowl, mix the melted butter and buffalo hot sauce. Transfer the crispy cauliflower florets into the sauce and toss gently until every piece is coated. Return the glazed cauliflower to the air fryer basket.
Final Air Fry & Serve
Air fry the glazed cauliflower at 400°F (200°C) for an additional 4-5 minutes until the buffalo glaze caramelized and clings to the florets, developing small charred crispy spots. Serve hot immediately with celery sticks and ranch dressing.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bake at 425 degrees on a parchment-lined sheet, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.
The final 4 to 5 minutes back in the air fryer at 400 degrees caramelizes the buffalo glaze so it clings to the florets instead of making them soggy.
Use a mild buffalo sauce, or stir extra melted butter into the sauce to mellow the heat.
Crowding the basket steams the florets instead of crisping them. Cook in batches so hot air can reach every edge.
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