Oh my gosh, you have got to try these air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings! I first made them for game day last year as a healthier option for my vegetarian friends, and wow—they disappeared faster than the actual chicken wings. That crispy, spicy exterior with just the right amount of tang? Absolute perfection. And the best part? No deep-frying mess to clean up afterward.
I’ve tweaked my method over the years—trust me, getting that ideal crisp-to-tender ratio took some experimenting. But now? These little bites come out golden every time, with way less oil than traditional fried wings. Even my most die-hard meat-eating friends keep asking me to make them. From prep to plate, they’re ready in under 30 minutes, and that addictive buffalo sauce? Totally adjustable for your heat preference. Whether you’re craving a snack, need a party appetizer, or just want to sneak more veggies into your life, these air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings are about to become your new obsession.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
These aren’t just any veggie snack—they’re a total game-changer. Here’s why you’ll be hooked after one bite:
- Crazy crispy without the guilt: The air fryer works magic, giving you that perfect crunch with just a fraction of the oil used in deep frying. My cousin didn’t believe they weren’t actual wings until she tasted them!
- Ready in a flash: From fridge to table in 25 minutes flat. I make these when my friends show up unannounced—they’re that quick.
- Heat you control: That buffalo sauce? Add a whisper for mild or drown ’em in it for maximum fire. (I always go extra spicy and keep milk nearby.)
- Vegetarian crowd-pleaser: Even my steak-loving uncle sneaks thirds. The texture is so satisfying, no one misses the meat.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Gather these simple ingredients – you probably have most in your pantry already! Here’s what you’ll need for those perfectly crispy, spicy bites:
- 1 medium head cauliflower – cut into bite-sized florets (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour – packed and leveled
- 1/2 cup water – cold works best
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – the secret flavor booster
- 1 teaspoon paprika – smoked or sweet, your choice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – I use kosher salt for better distribution
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce – Frank’s RedHot is my go-to
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or oil – helps the sauce cling perfectly
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No all-purpose flour? Almond flour or gluten-free blends work great – just add water slowly until you get pancake batter consistency. For dairy-free, swap butter with olive oil or vegan butter. If buffalo sauce is too intense, mix half with barbecue sauce – my kids love this milder version. And hey, no cauliflower? Try this same method with broccoli florets!
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Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings in 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and spicy buffalo cauliflower wings made in an air fryer. A healthy alternative to traditional wings, perfect for snacks or appetizers.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp melted butter or oil
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, water, garlic powder, paprika, and salt to make a batter.
- Coat cauliflower florets in the batter.
- Place florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
- Mix buffalo sauce and melted butter, then toss cooked cauliflower in the sauce.
- Return to air fryer for 2-3 minutes to set the sauce.
- Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, spray cauliflower with oil before air frying.
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount for desired spiciness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings, healthy appetizer, vegetarian snack
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Alright, let’s get these bad boys cooking! The process is seriously simple, but I’ve got some tricks to make sure they come out perfect every single time. Just follow these steps and you’ll be snacking in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
Grab a big mixing bowl – trust me, you’ll want room to toss those florets later. Whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, and salt until everything’s evenly distributed. Then pour in the water gradually while stirring. You’re aiming for a smooth batter that coats the back of a spoon – not too thick, not too runny. Think pancake batter consistency!
Step 2: Coat and Cook the Cauliflower
Preheat that air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – this gives it time to get properly hot while you’re coating the cauliflower. Now toss those florets in the batter until they’re fully dressed, letting any excess drip off. Arrange them in a single layer in the basket – no crowding! They need space to crisp up properly. Cook for 12-15 minutes total, flipping them halfway through with tongs. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re golden and crispy at the edges.
Step 3: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
While the cauliflower cooks, mix your buffalo sauce with melted butter (or oil) in a big bowl – this helps the sauce cling beautifully. As soon as those florets come out crispy from the air fryer, dump them straight into the sauce bowl and toss like crazy until every piece is gloriously coated. Want them extra saucy? Let them sit for a minute to soak it up. Then pop them back in the air fryer for just 2-3 more minutes to set that spicy glaze. Oh man, your kitchen’s gonna smell amazing!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
After making these dozens of times (yes, I’m obsessed), I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks that take them from good to “can’t-stop-eating” amazing:
- Dry those florets! After washing, pat them thoroughly with paper towels – any extra water makes the batter slide right off. I sometimes let them air-dry for 10 minutes while prepping other ingredients.
- Spray for extra crunch: Right before cooking, give the battered florets a light spritz of oil. This creates that irresistible golden crispiness without deep-frying. My air fryer’s spray bottle is always within reach!
- Shake, don’t stir: When tossing in buffalo sauce, use a big bowl with a lid and shake gently instead of stirring – this keeps the crispy coating intact. Learned this the hard way after turning a batch into mush!
- Serve immediately: These are best piping hot from the air fryer. If they sit too long, the steam softens the crust. I always time it so they hit the table straight from the basket – worth the coordination!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, you gotta serve these wings right! Pile them high with crisp celery sticks and carrot batons – that cool crunch is perfect against the spicy heat. My crew goes wild when I put out homemade ranch dressing (the thick, herby kind) for dipping. Vegan? Swap in cashew-based blue cheese dressing – just as addictive! For game day, I’ll sometimes throw some pickles and pretzel bites on the platter too. Basically, anything you’d serve with regular wings works here. Just make sure napkins are nearby – things get delightfully messy! You can find more appetizer inspiration on Pinterest.
Storage and Reheating
If by some miracle you have leftovers (rare in my house!), here’s how to keep them tasting fresh. Store cooled wings in an airtight container—I like using my glass meal prep ones—for up to 2 days in the fridge. The sauce will soften the coating a bit, but don’t worry! When cravings strike again, just pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. You’ll hear that satisfying sizzle as they crisp right back up. Pro tip? Give them a quick spray of oil before reheating for that just-made crunch. Microwave? Don’t even think about it—you’ll end up with sad, soggy florets!
Nutrition Information
Here’s the scoop on what you’re eating with these addictive buffalo cauliflower wings! (And yes, I totally count this as a vegetable serving – don’t @ me.) Per serving (about 1/4 of the recipe), you’re looking at:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 4g (2g saturated)
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 3g – thanks, cauliflower!
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg (go easy on the salt if you’re watching this)
Now here’s my kitchen truth – these numbers can dance around depending on your exact ingredients. Used extra sauce? Sodium might creep up. Swapped almond flour? Carbs will shift. That’s why I always say nutrition labels are more like friendly guidelines than strict rules. The important thing? You’re getting way fewer calories and fat than traditional wings while still satisfying that spicy craving. That’s what I call a win-win!
FAQs About Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend – I’ve had great results with a 1:1 baking flour. Just add the water slowly until you get that perfect batter consistency. For extra crispiness, some folks swear by adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to the mix (my celiac friend taught me that trick!).
Do these freeze well?
Honestly? They’re best fresh, but if you must freeze them, do it before saucing. Spread the cooked, unsauced florets on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a bag. When craving strikes, reheat them straight from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, then toss in warm buffalo sauce. The texture won’t be quite as perfect, but hey – emergency snack
Final Thoughts
Okay, friend – you’ve got all my secrets for the crispiest, most addictive air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings out there. Now it’s your turn to make magic happen! I can’t wait for you to experience that first bite – that perfect crunch giving way to tender cauliflower, all wrapped up in spicy, tangy buffalo goodness. Seriously, your taste buds are in for a treat.
When you make these (because you totally should tonight), snap a pic of your golden beauties and tag me on Instagram – I live for seeing your kitchen wins! Got a twist on the recipe? Tried it with sriracha instead of buffalo sauce? Added an insane dipping sauce? Tell me all about it in the comments. This recipe’s been a labor of love, and nothing makes me happier than hearing how it turns out in your kitchen. Now go forth and air fry – those florets aren’t gonna buffalo themselves!