If you’ve ever looked for a snack that’s bold, crunchy, and truly satisfying without being deep-fried, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is the answer. These irresistible bites offer all the fiery flavor and zest of classic buffalo wings but in a light, veggie-forward package that’s just as fun to eat. Easy to whip up for game days, gatherings, or even a quick lunch, their golden crisp and zippy kick will make you the hero of any snack situation.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient has a critical role, coming together for a mind-blowing balance of crunch, heat, and that signature tangy-saucy finish. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Cauliflower Florets: The perfect canvas for all that bold buffalo flavor, cut into bite-sized pieces for maximum crunch.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps create the batter that clings and crisps in the air fryer.
Water: Thins out the batter for even coating without being gummy.
Garlic Powder: Adds depth and an irresistible savory boost.
Onion Powder: Infuses every bite with gentle sweet-savory undertones.
Smoked Paprika: Lends a subtle smokiness that makes the flavor pop.
Salt: Brings out all the flavors and perks up the cauliflower.
Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and rounds out the seasoning.
Buffalo Sauce: Classic for a reason—spicy, tangy, and bold!
Melted Butter or Olive Oil: Gives the buffalo sauce richness and helps it stick.
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing (optional): The perfect creamy, cool contrast—highly recommended for dipping!

How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F. This ensures the cauliflower will hit the hot air right away, kicking off that glorious crispy coating. While your air fryer does its thing, cut your cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized florets so every piece cooks perfectly.

Step 2: Make the Batter

Whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. You want a smooth, pourable batter—think pancake mix consistency. This seasoned base gives Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower its crave-worthy flavor and crispy finish.

Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower

Add all your cauliflower florets to the bowl and gently toss until every surface is cloaked in the luscious batter. Don’t be afraid to get in there—fully coated pieces mean every bite is better!

Step 4: Air Fry the Bites

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the battered florets in a single layer (you may need to work in batches, and trust me, it’s worth the patience). Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, giving them a good shake halfway through to promote even crisping. At this stage, you’ll start to smell that savory magic!

Step 5: Toss in Buffalo Sauce

While the cauliflower is air frying, stir together your buffalo sauce and melted butter or olive oil. As soon as the cauliflower is golden and crispy, toss it straight into the sauce mixture—your Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower should be generously coated but not soaked. This step amps up the flavor like nothing else!

Step 6: Finish in the Air Fryer

Return the coated florets to the air fryer for an extra 3 to 5 minutes to help set the sauce. This brief blast gives you a sticky, fingers-licking-fantastic finish that holds up even after dipping.

How to Serve Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Garnishes

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, chives, or even a whisper of extra smoked paprika for a vibrant pop of color and a hint of freshness. A dusting of crumbled blue cheese can turn each bite into a mini flavor bomb.

Side Dishes

Classic celery and carrot sticks are a must—their cool crunch balances out the fiery buffalo kick. Serve your Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower alongside a crisp green salad or hearty potato wedges for a satisfying meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile them high on a platter with toothpicks for a party snack, tuck them in lettuce wraps with a drizzle of ranch, or stuff into pita bread with fresh slaw and extra sauce for lunch. However you serve them, prepare for rave reviews!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but you’ll still get loads of flavor the next day.

Freezing

While freezing is possible, the texture may soften after thawing. If you do choose to freeze, lay cooled florets on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. For best results, reheat straight from frozen.

Reheating

Pop leftover cauliflower back into your air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. A quick broil in the oven works too—avoid microwaving if you want to keep that signature crunch!

FAQs

Can I make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend. Most mixtures work beautifully for maintaining that crispy batter.

How spicy is the dish?

The heat level relies on your buffalo sauce choice. Use a mild version for less heat, or go bold for a fiery kick. Adjusting the amount of sauce also lets you tweak the burn to your taste.

What’s the best way to get the cauliflower really crispy?

For extra crunch, give the battered florets a light spray of oil before air frying and don’t overcrowd the basket. Also, make sure they go back into the air fryer after being sauced to help set the coating.

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

Fresh cauliflower gives the best texture, but thawed frozen florets will work in a pinch. Be sure to dry them really well before battering to prevent sogginess.

Is this recipe vegan-friendly?

Absolutely—just use olive oil or your favorite plant-based butter in place of dairy butter, and choose a vegan buffalo sauce and dipping dressing to keep it 100% plant-based.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something undeniably addictive about Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower—it’s spicy, crunchy, and a huge crowd-pleaser. Whether you serve it for friends, during a movie night, or as a comfort snack all for yourself, I’m confident this recipe will win you over. Fire up your air fryer and let the fun begin!

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 28 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the spicy and flavorful taste of buffalo cauliflower with this easy air fryer recipe. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these cauliflower bites are perfect for snacking or as a vegetarian appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter:

1 medium head cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup water
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Buffalo Sauce:

¾ cup buffalo sauce
1 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
Optional: ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving

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Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Prepare Batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to form a smooth batter.
Coat Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower florets in the batter until evenly coated.
Air Fry: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange coated florets in a single layer and air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Prepare Buffalo Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix buffalo sauce with melted butter.
Coat Cauliflower Again: Remove cauliflower from the air fryer and toss in the buffalo sauce mixture. Return to the air fryer for an additional 3–5 minutes.
Serve: Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing.