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Home » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Published: Mar 9, 2022 · Modified: Jul 17, 2024 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a great vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo chicken wings. This is a healthy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to prepare and air fry. The result is delicious, spicy and satisfying buffalo cauliflower bites!

air fryer buffalo cauliflower on a gray plate served with ranch dressing
Table Of Contents
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Pairings
  • Helpful Cooking Tips
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

This incredibly easy air fried buffalo cauliflower is one of my favorite air fryer recipes to make. Use air fried buffalo cauliflower instead of buffalo chicken on many of your favorite recipes, like pizza and nachos too!

You'll love this recipe because it uses only 4 simple and wholesome ingredients. There is no breading and no oil. It's low-carb, low calorie, vegan, and gluten-free! Cauliflower is also great for those on a diabetic diet and practicing keto. This truly is a "one size fits all" recipe.

Whether I'm eating it dipped into a creamy homemade blue cheese dressing or using it to stuff buffalo cauliflower tacos, it never fails to be a simple and delicious recipe.

Air fryer buffalo cauliflower can be made as mild or hot as you like, so choose the sauce the fits the heat factor that you want and you'll be perfectly satisfied with the outcome.

What Is Buffalo Flavor?

Buffalo sauce is a combination of cayenne pepper sauce, more commonly referred to as "hot sauce", and butter. It's known to be spicy but comes in a variety of heats. You can usually find mild, medium, hot, and extra hot varieties.

Are Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Healthy?

Buffalo cauliflower wings (or bites!) are very healthy. Each 4 ounce serving has just 36 calories. Not only are they low calorie and low carb, they contain little fat and sugar. Cauliflower is also a good source of potassium.

OTHER CAULIFLOWER RECIPES TO TRY NEXT

  • Easy Mashed Cauliflower
  • Hidden Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
  • Air Fryer Cauliflower with Herbs and Lemon
  • Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry with Garlic Butter Chicken
air fryer buffalo cauliflower on a gray plate served with ranch dressing

Ingredients

You only need:

  • A head of fresh cauliflower
  • Buffalo sauce: your favorite brand!
  • Garlic salt
  • Pepper

To make your own buffalo sauce, combine 1 cup of hot cayenne pepper sauce with ½ cup of melted butter. Use this amount per head of cauliflower.

Instructions

I have used both my oven-style air fryer and basket-style air fryer with great results. The only difference is the amount that each can fit. Here's how I do it.

STEP 1: Wash the cauliflower and remove all green leaves. Cut into 1-2 inch florets and dry thoroughly. Put cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl.

cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl

STEP 2: Toss cauliflower with garlic salt, freshly ground black pepper and buffalo sauce. Mix well with a wooden spoon or your hands until cauliflower is thoroughly coated with sauce.

cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl tossed with buffalo sauce, garlic salt, and pepper

STEP 3: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Place the sauced cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, until cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork.

buffalo cauliflower wings in an air fryer basket

Using tongs, transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter. If desired, baste with the sauce drippings from the bottom of the air fryer basket. Serve with a creamy dipping sauce or as a substitution for buffalo chicken in your favorite buffalo recipes.

air fryer buffalo cauliflower on a gray plate served with ranch dressing

Buffalo Cauliflower Pairings

Ranch Dressing: this creamy sauce is traditionally served with buffalo flavored recipes.

Blue Cheese Dressing: blue cheese is also traditionally served with buffalo recipes and can be found in crumbles too. Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top of hot buffalo cauliflower for a slightly cheesy version!

Vegetable Dip: mix a packet of vegetable seasoning with sour cream and use it for dipping the cauliflower.

Onion Dip: mix a packet of onion soup seasoning with sour cream and use it for dipping.

Helpful Cooking Tips

  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray. While it's okay for the cauliflower to touch, make sure it's in a single layer and not stacked. Work in batches if needed.
  • There is no need to flip or toss the cauliflower part way through cooking.
  • For saucier and tastier cauliflower bites, brush with the buffalo sauce that accumulates at the bottom of the basket after transferring the cauliflower to a serving dish. Yum!
  • Every air fryer is different and cooks at varying speeds. For the first time cooking any recipe, get to know your air fryer by constantly checking in on the food and monitoring the results. Your air fryer may need more or less time than mine.
  • Store buffalo cauliflower in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.

Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Recipe

air fryer buffalo cauliflower on a gray plate served with ranch dressing

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Kristina Tipps
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a great vegetarian alternative to traditional buffalo chicken wings. This is a healthy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to prepare and air fry. The result is delicious, spicy and satisfying buffalo cauliflower bites!
5 from 17 votes
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
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Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes minutes
Total Time 17 minutes minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 36 kcal

Equipment

  • air fryer
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash cauliflower and remove all green leaves. Cut into 1-2 inch florets and dry thoroughly. Put cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl.
  • Toss cauliflower pieces with garlic salt, freshly ground black pepper and buffalo sauce. Mix well with a wooden spoon or your hands until cauliflower is thoroughly coated with sauce.
  • Set the air fryer to 400°F / 204°C. Place the sauced cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, until cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork.
  • Using tongs, transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter. If desired, baste with the sauce drippings from the bottom of the air fryer basket. Serve with a creamy dipping sauce or as a substitution for buffalo chicken in your favorite buffalo recipes.

Notes

Store buffalo cauliflower in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2464mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin C: 69mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
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Comments

    5 from 17 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Elizabeth says

    March 14, 2022 at 10:41 am

    5 stars
    We are loving this easy and delicious air fryer recipe! So good!

    Reply
  2. Ash B says

    March 12, 2022 at 3:13 am

    5 stars
    I like making these as a small snack. It tastes good and satisfies my buffalo wings cravings!

    Reply
  3. Addie says

    March 10, 2022 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    These are the best little appetizer and side dish! I love how easy and delicious they are!

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    March 10, 2022 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    Loving this cauliflowers recipe! So easy to make and delicious in every bite

    Reply
  5. Rob says

    March 09, 2022 at 6:35 pm

    5 stars
    This cauliflower recipe really delivered! So easy and the cauliflower was delicious. This will be worked into our weekly rotation!

    Reply
  6. Emily Woodward says

    March 09, 2022 at 6:14 pm

    5 stars
    mmmm....I've been a long-time fan of buffalo cauliflower, but making it in the airfryer?! You just made my day with this recipe. It's so good.

    Reply
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