Craving a game day snack and looking for a vegetarian option? Air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings are a must-try!
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these buffalo wings make the perfect snack or appetizer that even meat lovers will enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Before you make these air fryer cauliflower wings, read through these recipe tips so that you achieve the best results!
- This recipe only works if the batter is quite thick. In our article on how an air fryer works, we recommend not cooking anything with a batter. This recipe is an exception in the sense that this batter is very thick and therefore doesn’t run much. Extra runny batter, like pancake batter, is a definitely no-no in the air fryer.
- The size of the cauliflower florets will impact cooking time. If you leave them larger, they will need a little longer to get soft on the inside.
- When placing the battered cauliflower florets into the air fryer, make sure that they are not touching. You want them to actually get crispy and not stick together.
- We use Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce for this recipe but you can use any buffalo sauce you like.
- Psst: if you’re feeling a little unmotivated, here’s how to make cauliflower wings in the air fryer from frozen.
We use this air fryer for our recipes and it has been great.
Step by Step Instructions
For the complete instructions for how to make cauliflower wings in the air fryer, you can stay in this section and follow the recipe process photos.
This way, if you’ve never made buffalo cauliflower bites before, you can see just how we made them!
If you just want to get started with your cauliflower buffalo wings in the air fryer and don’t like visuals, you can skip to the bottom of this post to the recipe card.
Cut or rip the cauliflower into smaller florets. Try to get them roughly the same size.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper
Then slowly add the milk while whisking.
Keep whisking until there are no lumps in the batter. The mixture should have a pretty thick consistency so don’t add any extra milk!
At this time also preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now add the cauliflower florets into the bowl with the batter.
Gently stir the florets in with a large spoon until they are all covered in batter.
When the air fryer is hot, add as many battered cauliflower florets into your air fryer as you can fit without them touching.
We usually make this amount of florets in two batches.
Cook the battered cauliflower for 8-10 minutes total until tender and the batter is cooked and crispy.
Flip the florets approximately halfway through the cooking time. If you try flipping the florets and the batter sticks to the air fryer too much, cook them a minute or two longer first and then try flipping again.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of cauliflower florets and your air fryer.
While you wait for the cauliflower to cook, whisk the buffalo sauce with the melted butter in a smaller bowl or glass measuring cup and set this mixture aside.
When the cauliflower bites are done, remove them from the air fryer, put them in a small bowl for now, and make the second batch.
Repeat until all the cauliflower bites have been cooked.
Now, place all the cooked cauliflower wings together in a large bowl, drizzle the buffalo sauce mix on top, and gently toss until the cauliflower bites are evenly covered in the sauce.
Serve the buffalo cauliflower “wings” right away and enjoy!
Storage Tips
Once you make buffalo cauliflower bites in the air fryer, you’ll want to eat them hot, fresh, and crispy.
The sauce will make the outer breading a little soggy over time so they don’t keep too well (and especially in the fridge since the moisture of the cauliflower makes them mushy).
If you do have leftovers, keep them in a sealed container in the fridge but eat them sooner rather than later.
Related Recipes
If you liked these flavorful cauliflower wings, check out these other tasty air fryer vegetarian snacks or appetizers!
- Air Fryer Frozen Veggie Tots
- Artichoke Hearts in the Air Fryer
- Stuffed Mushrooms Air Fried (Homemade)
- Air Fryer Mac n’ Cheese Balls
- Garlic Parmesan Fries in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, medium-sized
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Cut or rip the cauliflower into smaller florets. Try to get them roughly the same size.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Then slowly add the milk while whisking. Keep whisking until there are no lumps in the batter. The mixture should have a pretty thick consistency so don't add any extra milk!
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the cauliflower florets into the bowl with the batter. Gently stir the florets in with a large spoon until they are all covered in batter.
- When the air fryer is hot, add as many battered cauliflower florets into your air fryer as you can fit without them touching. (We usually make this amount of florets in two batches).
- Cook the battered cauliflower for 8-10 minutes total until tender and the batter is cooked and crispy. Flip the florets approximately halfway through the cooking time. If you try flipping the florets and the batter sticks to the air fryer too much, cook them a minute or two longer first and then try flipping again. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of cauliflower florets and your air fryer.
- While you wait for the cauliflower to cook, whisk the buffalo sauce with the melted butter in a smaller bowl or glass measuring cup and set this mixture aside.
- When the cauliflower bites are done, remove them from the air fryer, put them in a small bowl for now, and make the second batch. Repeat until all the cauliflower bites have been cooked.
- Now, place all the cooked cauliflower wings together in a large bowl, drizzle the buffalo sauce mix on top, and gently toss until the cauliflower bites are evenly covered in the sauce. Then serve them right away and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
