These air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are the BEST game day appetizer or snack! They are crispy, saucy, and spicy. You can’t get enough!
This air fryer buffalo cauliflower is the ULTIMATE game day snack. It’s spicy, tangy, and crunchy, the kind of finger food that packs a ton of flavor into one bite. If you still need snack recs for next weekend’s Super Bowl, here’s mine: make it!
I based this recipe on baked buffalo cauliflower I shared last fall. After I posted this, I heard from so many of you asking for one air fryer version. I am SO glad I tried one, because this air fryer buffalo cauliflower might be even better than the oven version (which is already delicious). The air fryer makes it crispier! Consume the flowers on their own (warning: they’re really addictive!) or take them over the top with a creamy dipping sauce. This vegan ranch is amazing.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe Ingredients
To make this air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe, you start by breaking up a head of cauliflower in large flowers.
Then, you make the batter all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and water. Corn is the secret to making cauliflower nice and crispy!
After you air fry the cauliflower, brush it buffalo sauce. I want to make a homemade use Frank’s red hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, and honey. For a vegan alternative, sub vegan butter for regular butter and use agave instead of honey!
Don’t forget the vegan ranch dressing for delivery! For a full “buffalo wings” experience, carrot and celery sticks it’s also fun.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Buffalo Cauliflower Air Fryer Tips
- Coat the cauliflower! The batter is what gives the cauliflower its crispy, “fried” effect, so you want to get it into every nook and cranny of each floret. When you add the cauliflower to the thick flour mixture, mix well to make sure the florets are completely coated.
- Do not crowd the basket. If it’s too tight, the cauliflower will steam instead of being browned and crisp. Arrange the florets in a single layer and leave some space around each other. Work in batches if necessary. It takes me two batches to make this recipe in my air fryer.
- Flip it carefully. When you flip the cauliflower after the first few minutes of cooking, it may want to stick to the air fryer basket. that’s ok! If you use a spatula to loosen the cauliflower from the basket, you’ll be able to flip it without tearing the crispy coating. To reduce sticking, you can also lightly grease the basket with cooking spray before adding the cauliflower.
- Sauce it twice. For the best buffalo flavor, you’ll need to sauce these cauliflower bites twice: once halfway through the cooking time, and once before serving. Don’t stop here! Rotate the florets as you brush on the sauce to coat them on all sides.
- Eat it right away. This buffalo cauliflower is best hot from the air fryer, when it’s nice and crispy. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but will lose some of their crispiness. If you are making this recipe for a party or game day, I recommend air frying the cauliflower before serving.
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
If you love these air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings, try making one of these fun air fryer snacks next time:
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Serving 4
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, scooped and flattened
- ¼ cup corn
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup water
- 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds, split into large florets
- Buffalo sauce, for brushing
- Vegan Ranch, for dipping, optional
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Add the water and stir until smooth. Add the cauliflower and toss to coat.
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Lift the cauliflower florets out of the batter, letting any excess batter drip into the bowl. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each floret. Do not crowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary.
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Air fry for 9 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and use a spatula to carefully flip the florets. Brush with some buffalo sauce. Air fry for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is dark and crisp around the edges.
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Remove from air fryer and top with additional buffalo sauce. If desired, serve with vegan ranch for dipping.