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!
This incredibly easy air fried buffalo cauliflower is one of my favorite air fryer recipes to make. Whether I'm eating it dipped into a creamy blue cheese dressing or using it to stuff buffalo cauliflower tacos, it never fails to be a simple and delicious recipe. Use air fried buffalo cauliflower instead of buffalo chicken on many of your favorite recipes, like pizza and nachos too!
You'll love air fryer buffalo cauliflower 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Equipment
- 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.
Elizabeth
We are loving this easy and delicious air fryer recipe! So good!
Ash B
I like making these as a small snack. It tastes good and satisfies my buffalo wings cravings!
Addie
These are the best little appetizer and side dish! I love how easy and delicious they are!
Linda
Loving this cauliflowers recipe! So easy to make and delicious in every bite
Rob
This cauliflower recipe really delivered! So easy and the cauliflower was delicious. This will be worked into our weekly rotation!
Emily Woodward
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.