Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are crispy outside, tender inside, and coated in a spicy, tangy buffalo sauce. They make a quick and flavorful meatless appetizer, party snack, or game-day favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Total Time: 30–33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- Cooking spray
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
- Celery and carrot sticks, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized, bite-sized florets.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss until lightly and evenly coated. Allow excess batter to drip off.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Coat each battered cauliflower floret with breadcrumbs, gently pressing them onto the surface.
- Arrange the breaded cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between the pieces. Lightly spray with cooking spray and cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through, until crisp, golden, and tender.
- Meanwhile, combine the buffalo sauce and melted butter in a large bowl.
- Transfer the crispy cauliflower to the bowl and gently toss with the buffalo sauce mixture until evenly coated.
- For an extra-crispy finish, return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery and carrot sticks.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; leaving space between florets helps the coating become crisp.
- For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or additional hot sauce to the buffalo sauce.
- For a milder version, use mild buffalo sauce and add a little extra melted butter.
- For a gluten-free variation, substitute a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- Barbecue sauce, garlic Parmesan sauce, or sweet chili sauce can be used instead of buffalo sauce.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4 to 6 minutes for the best texture.
- For optimal leftovers, store the cooked cauliflower and buffalo sauce separately, then reheat and toss together just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
