Air fryer buffalo cauliflower is crispy, crunchy, yet soft, juicy baked (air-fried) cauliflower florets dipped in spicy buffalo sauce make a perfect appetizer. This is vegan, too.
Buffalo cauliflower is a delicious appetizer. I make them too often for my cocktail party appetizers or when craving these cauliflower buffalo wings. And with my air fryer, these cauliflower wings are much simpler and quicker. Reduced time to cook and the same crunchy bites are just irresistible.
What is buffalo cauliflower?
Buffalo cauliflower is nothing but cauliflower wings with hot, spicy buffalo sauce. The sauce is hotter and spicy, with a bit of sweetness to balance the flavor. Cauliflower wings (florets) are coated with the sauce and are baked.
This makes the cauliflower more flavorful, smoky, spicy, and perfectly balanced. Or you can bake the florets and then coat them with the sauce before serving.
How to make air fryer buffalo cauliflower?
Ingredients:-
Large cauliflower head - Clean and break into bite-sized pieces
Batter - Refined flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika
Bread crumbs mix - Panko bread crumbs, paprika, salt, pepper,
Buffalo sauce - Vegan or as per choice
Instructions to make buffalo cauliflower in an air fryer:-
Make breaded cauliflower
Add refined flour, cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and paprika in a mixing bowl. Add water to make a batter of coating consistency. Drop the florets into the batter and transfer them to the seasoned breadcrumbs. Coat the florets nicely. Repeat for all florets.
Air fry the coated cauliflower
Then, spray a little oil on the florets. Now, start the air fryer at 380 F for 15 minutes. Toss at 5-minute intervals. After 10 minutes, remove the florets to a plate. Coat them with hot buffalo sauce. Transfer it to the air fryer and set the time for another 5 minutes.
Note: - If you are making in batches, reduce the time by 2 - 3 minutes after the 1st batch as it starts to cook quicker than the 1st batch. Also, the large air fryers take a little more time than the compact ones. So adjust your timer accordingly.
Can I make buffalo cauliflower in an oven?
Preheat the oven to 400 F (200C). Line the tray with greased parchment paper. Place the coated cauliflower on the tray and bake for 25 minutes at the same temperature. Then, remove the tray and transfer the cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the sauce and coat nicely. Then, spread them on the baking tray again and bake for another 5 - 10 minutes or until they're crispy.
Serving Ideas
Apart from appetizers, these can be a delicious side to add to the menu for vegan dinner recipes or any vegan meals. Also, make your tacos with these spicy breaded buffalo cauliflowers and some slaw and dipping sauce. Read my buffalo cauliflower tacos recipe here. This is a versatile dish, I must say. Serve it with creamy cilantro crema.
Storage and Reheat
This tastes best and crispy when it's hot and fresh. However, you can store them in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 days. Remember to use the airtight box to store them. But the crunch may not be the same upon reheating.
You can place them in an air fryer basket in a single layer and reheat them at 350 F for 2 minutes. Do the same for the oven or toaster oven to warm them up.
Can I make these buffalo cauliflower gluten-free?
Yes absolutely. Substitute all-purpose or refined flour with gluten-free flour like oats, brown rice, buckwheat, etc. Also, use gluten-free panko crumbs.
Dips to serve with air fryer buffalo cauliflower -
Buffalo cauliflower is a delicious and healthy alternative to buffalo wings. Several dips pair perfectly with this crispy, spicy buffalo cauliflower. These are a few of them to pair up for a yummy treat -
Blue cheese dressing - The Creamy, tangy flavor of the dip contrasts with the spicy buffalo wings and helps cool down the taste buds at the same time.
Ranch dressing - the cool and creamy flavor of the ranch again complements the hot and spicy buffalo sauce. It's a heavenly combination.
Hummus Dip - this creamy nutty dip will also pair well with air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings.
Cilantro lime sauce - this creamy tangy cilantro sauce is my go-to condiment for such appetizers. It enhances the flavor in the true sense.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower
- ยฝ cup buffalo sauce (vegan)
- ยผ cup refined flour
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tsp paprika
- ยฝ tsp salt
- ยฝ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Wash and cut the florets into bite sized pieces.
- In a small mixing bowl, add refined flour, corn starch, a pinch of salt and paprika.
- Add water to make a smooth batter of coating consistency.
- Now in another plate add panko bread crumbs and season with salt, pepper, paprika.
- Now take the floret, dip it into the batter, then place on bread crumbs and coat nicely.
- Repeat for all florets and keep aside.
- Now place the breaded florets into the basket and spray little oil.
- Start the air-fryer at 380 F for 15 minutes.
- Pause and toss at 5 minutes interval twice.
- After 10 minutes, remove the florets and add the sauce to them.
- Mix it gently so that all florets will get coated.
- Now again place them back to the air fryer and cook for next 5 minutes.
- If your air-fryer is cooking quickly, then reduce the timer to 2 minutes in last batch.
- Remove from air-fryer and serve them hot.
Video
Notes
- Don't overcrowd the basket. Arrange in a single layer. If making in larger quantity, make in batches.
- If making in batches, reduce the time by 2 minutes after 1st batch as it cooks quicker.
- All air fryer cooks differently depending on brand and size. Large air fry may take more time than compact small and medium ones.
- Also, tender cauliflower gets cooked faster. So keep an eye on the cauliflower while pause and shake decide how much time it needs. Otherwise, cauliflower will be burnt easily.
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Deb Willms
Please post the recipe for the dip.
Ipsa Faujdar
here is the dip recipe. https://mydaintykitchen.com/cilantro-lime-sauce/