Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on classic buffalo wings, making it a perfect vegan appetizer or snack. Coated in a seasoned batter and tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, these cauliflower florets are air fried to golden perfection, delivering a healthy, guilt-free bite with all the tangy zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter
- â…” cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup water
Main
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, broken into large florets
- Buffalo Sauce, for brushing (approx. ½ cup)
- Vegan Ranch, for dipping (optional, about ½ cup)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the batter and cauliflower.
- Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and water until you achieve a smooth, lump-free batter that coats well.
- Coat the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure it is thoroughly coated to ensure a crispy finish after frying.
- Air fry the cauliflower: Arrange the battered cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding for even cooking. Air fry them for 9 minutes.
- Flip and sauce: Carefully flip the florets, brush them generously with buffalo sauce, and then continue air frying for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until they turn crispy and golden brown.
- Final touch and serve: Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer, brush once more with buffalo sauce for extra flavor, and serve hot with vegan ranch dip if desired for a deliciously spicy and creamy contrast.
Notes
- For extra crispy cauliflower, make sure to coat each floret evenly with the batter and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- If you prefer less heat, adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your taste or use a milder sauce.
- You can prepare the vegan ranch ahead of time or purchase it ready-made for convenience.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
