This vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe comes together with a handful of simple ingredients in just 15 minutes! Quick and easy, it’s the perfect party appetizer, crowd-pleasing side dish, or low-carb snack!
Helpful Tips
- Cut a whole cauliflower. To prepare the cauliflower florets, trim off the outer leaves, cut the cauliflower head into quarters, and remove the core. Break apart the florets by hand, or cut them into 2-3 inch pieces.
- Save time – To save time, use pre-made cauliflower florets. You can prepare the seasoning flour mix in advance, so it’s ready to use when you’re ready to cook.
- Cook in batches. If your air fryer is not big enough to fit all of the cauliflower, go ahead and cook it in separate batches. However, it is important to note that the second batch will likely take less time to cook because the air fryer will already be plenty warm. So, be sure to keep a close eye on it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make this air fried buffalo cauliflower recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Cauliflower – Serves as a vegetable base for the “wings,” providing a hearty and flexible alternative to traditional wings.
- Gluten-Free Buffalo Sauce – Use any homemade or store-bought buffalo sauce you like best!
- Olive Oil – We use olive oil to keep this recipe dairy-free and vegan. Note: If you can tolerate dairy, butter can be used for a richer flavor.
- Herbs and Spices – Kosher salt, garlic powder, and paprika add extra savoriness and a touch of heat. Then, we like to add chives or dill for extra depth of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Flour – This helps the seasonings cling to the cauliflower and contributes to the crispy golden exterior.
- Arrowroot Starch – Again, this helps the seasonings cling to the cauliflower. If preferred, cornstarch will also work.
Ingredient Swaps: If preferred, you can replace the flour/cornstarch/spices mixture with ⅓ cup gluten-free panko to keep things simple!
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Coat the cauliflower. Whisk the buffalo sauce and oil (or melted butter) in a small bowl. Add the cauliflower florets to a large ziplock bag followed by the sauce and a pinch of salt. Seal the bag, and shake to coat the veggie pieces evenly. Then, transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Create the seasoning mixture. Combine the garlic powder, herbs, paprika, gluten-free flour, cornstarch, and salt in a small bowl.
- Season the cauliflower. Gradually sprinkle the flour mixture over the cauliflower florets, tossing or shaking to coat them completely.
- Air fry. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once warm, arrange the cauliflower in an even layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
Tip: Shake off excess batter from the cauliflower for a balanced coating.
- Cook. Air fry until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown, shaking the basket every five minutes. If your cauliflower looks a bit dry when you pull it out to give it a shake, go ahead and add another spritz or drizzle of oil. This will help it crisp up and prevent pieces from burning.
Note: Depending on your air fryer and the size of the cauliflower, the recipe may take more or less time to cook. For the best results, start checking for doneness at 14-15 minutes. You’ll know the cauliflower is done when it’s lightly browned and crispy on the edges!
- Serve. Brush the cauliflower with additional sauce, and enjoy warm!
Oven Option
No air fryer? No problem! These air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites work just as well in the oven and are still super quick. Not to mention, the steps are basically the same!
- Coat the cauliflower with the sauce and seasonings.
- Arrange the pieces in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased with oil.
- Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 25-30 minutes, giving it a gentle toss about halfway through. Bake until the cauliflower is tender and golden.
- Optional – Broil for one to two minutes or until crisp!
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Serve and Store Questions
We love to dip our buffalo cauliflower bites in spicy vegan Ranch dressing, herb and garlic aioli, blue cheese dressing, or easy vegan cheese sauce for dipping! It’s great for an afternoon snack, but also makes for a great appetizer or side dish.
Serve it as part of a spread on game day with other appetizers like a Ranch dressing snack platter, honey Sriracha meatballs, chicken wings, or ancho chili stuffed sweet potato skins Or, enjoy it as a complete meal with protein-rich main courses such as air fryer chicken tenders, garlic herb pan-fried cod cakes, or chicken salad sliders. They’re also great in a wrap or in tacos!
Stored in an airtight container, leftover cauliflower pieces will stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days.
Yes, you can freeze leftovers for up to three months. Just note that the texture is likely to change, and the cauliflower won’t be quite as crispy. Reheat from frozen in the oven, adding a little extra time compared to the original baking time.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Make this easy vegan-friendly air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe with simple ingredients in less than 30 minutes for a nutritious, flavorful appetizer, side dish, or snack!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cauliflower (1 medium head), broken into 2-3” florets (see notes for tips)
- ⅓ to ½ cup gluten free Buffalo sauce (if cauliflower pieces are larger, use ½ cup) + extra for brushing
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional – ½ teaspoon dried chive or dill or 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives or dill
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 3 Tablespoons gluten free flour
- 3 Tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch (see notes)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the buffalo sauce and oil or butter. Place the cauliflower florets in a large ziplock bag. Add the sauce and a pinch of salt then shake the bag to evenly coat the cauliflower. Use your hands or tongs to transfer the coated cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl (see notes).
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, herbs (if using), paprika, gluten free flour, cornstarch, and remaining salt. Gradually sprinkle the flour mixture over the cauliflower florets, tossing or shaking until all the florets are coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once the air fryer has preheated, add the cauliflower to the air fryer basket, making sure they are evenly spaced. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to work in two batches.
- Spray the cauliflower with cooking oil. Air fry for 16- 18 minutes, shaking the cauliflower every 5 minutes through cooking. Spray with cooking oil again after tossing halfway. Note – Check for doneness at 14-15 minutes if your cauliflower floret are on the smaller side. The florets are done when lightly browned and crispy on the edges.
- Brush the cauliflower with extra sauce, if desired, before serving.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
Substitute Tips – Replace the flour/cornstarch/spices mixture with ⅓ cup gluten free panko.
Prep Tips – To prepare the cauliflower florets, trim off the outer leaves, cut the cauliflower head into quarters and remove the core. Break apart the florets by hand, or cut them into 2-3 inch pieces. In regards to Step 1, feel free to leave the buffalo sauce coated cauliflower in the bag and NOT transfer to a bowl to continue preparing
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: appetizer
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 168
- Sugar: 2.8 g
- Sodium: 739.8 mg
- Fat: 9.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.3 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 4.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Finding interesting low carb snacks has been a struggle for me. This is tasty, simple to make and definitely breaks up the low carb boredom!
I totally understand! Glad you enjoyed it.
So happy I found this recipe, I had a bunch of cauliflower to use up. Boy was this DELICIOUS!