Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
This Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a delicious, crispy, and spicy vegetarian alternative to classic buffalo wings. Coated in a seasoned batter and air fried to golden perfection, these cauliflower bites are tossed in a buttery buffalo sauce for an irresistible appetizer or snack that’s perfect for game day or any casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower
- 1 medium head of cauliflower – cut into bite-sized florets
Batter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Buffalo Sauce
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter – melted
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, making sure the pieces are uniform in size to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until you get a smooth, thick yet pourable batter that will properly coat the cauliflower.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and stir until each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess batter before placing the florets into the air fryer.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated cauliflower in a single layer without overcrowding. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even crisping, until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, mix the buffalo sauce with melted unsalted butter in a small bowl to add richness and balance the spice.
- Toss the Cauliflower in Buffalo Sauce: When the cauliflower is done cooking, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the florets and toss gently but thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo cauliflower immediately for the best crispy texture, accompanied by your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese and crisp celery sticks for a refreshing contrast.
Notes
- For homemade buffalo sauce, combine hot sauce and melted butter in a ratio of about 3:1 for an authentic tangy flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure cauliflower crisps up evenly.
- Shake or turn the cauliflower halfway through cooking for uniform browning and crispiness.
- Use gluten-free flour if you need to make this recipe gluten-free.
- This recipe works beautifully as a party appetizer or a healthy snack alternative.
Keywords: Buffalo cauliflower, air fryer cauliflower, vegetarian buffalo wings, spicy cauliflower bites, healthy appetizer
Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/buffalo-cauliflower-recipe/
