Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Name: Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 c cauliflower florets (raw) (about 1 head of cauliflower); 1/2 c flour; 3/4 c milk (regular or dairy free); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp paprika; 3/4 tsp cracked pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; ½ c hot sauce (we use Frank's Red Hot); 3 T butter, melted; 1 T honey; ranch or blue cheese (for serving)

By Lorie

5 from 11 votes

Apr 05, 2021, Updated Nov 01, 2021

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Simple, crispy and ready in about 20 minutes, this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a great appetizer everyone will love! Battered and air fried and then tossed in a simple buffalo sauce–pairs perfectly with your favorite Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing. Just the right amount of heat!

Plate of air fryer buffalo cauliflower with fresh parsley.

Ingredients and Substitutions:
How to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower:
Expert Tips:
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
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This simple Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is my preference over chicken wings–there I said it. But it really is the truth!

I have never been a wing fan. These crispy battered cauliflower bites are my preference any day.

The Air Fryer made these Buffalo Potatoes so crispy and delicious, I knew we had to go with some cauliflower as well since it’s one of my favorite veggies!

Ingredients and Substitutions:

cauliflower: fresh, raw cauliflower is what you will want to use for this air fryer buffalo cauliflower. You won’t want to use frozen as it will be too soft. Here are some tips on how to cut a cauliflower if you need them!
flour: this is the base for the batter that you will use to coat the cauliflower. You can used all purpose flour or for gluten free, just swap for a 1:1 all purpose gluten free flour.
milk: I use whole milk as that is what we always have on hand. A dairy free milk will work as well.
spices: paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. For a fun twist, use smoked paprika instead of regular. If you really like heat, add is a dash of cayenne.
hot sauce: Frank’s Red Hot is our go-to. I haven’t had much luck in finding anything similar that could be subbed for it. Let me know if you have a favorite alternate option!
butter: I typically use unsalted. You could use salted butter as well. For dairy free, use a dairy free butter substitute.
honey: the honey adds an extra sweet tang to the buffalo sauce in this air fryer cauliflower. I love the flavor it adds. You don’t have to add it if you are trying to keep it vegan or if you don’t want the extra sweetness!

Hot sauce, butter, milk, flour and other ingredients labeled on counter.

How to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower:

Whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the milk and whisk until smooth. If the batter seems too thick, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk at a time. (steps 1-2)
Pour the batter over the cauliflower and toss well to coat all of the cauliflower evenly. (steps 3-4)

Flour and spices in bowl and then mixed with milk and poured on cauliflower.

Spray the basket of the air fryer well with spray oil. Add the cauliflower to the basket and spread out to make one even layer. You can work in batches if necessary. Heat at 380°F for about 15 minutes, flipping or tossing well halfway through. (step 5-6)

While the cauliflower is heating, melt the butter and whisk it well with the hot sauce and honey. When the battered air fryer cauliflower is cooked and nice and golden crisp, toss it with 2/3 of the buffalo sauce or use a brush to spread it over each of the florets. (step 7)
Return the cauliflower back to the air fryer and heat for another 4-5 minutes or until crispy to your liking! (step 8)
Remove the air fryer buffalo cauliflower and serve with Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing and celery! Use the reserved sauce for serving.

Buffalo sauce tossed with cauliflower and then added to air fryer.

Expert Tips:

To reheat this air fryer buffalo cauliflower, place it in the air fryer and heat for about 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
The size of the cauliflower can cause the cook time to vary slightly, or some pieces to burn easily. If you have quite a few very small or less dense pieces, your cauliflower will likely cook more quickly. You can remove pieces that look cooked and set them aside until ready for the buffalo sauce.
Once you add the buffalo sauce, keep a close eye on the cauliflower. It can go from zero to burned quickly. I try to check it every 2 minutes.
If you have a small air fryer, you will want to work in batches. You want one even layer and a little space if possible. I can easily get it all in one batch, but shake it a few minutes in to space them out as they cook down.