Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe

Cauliflower has become the superstar of the vegetable world, and with good reason. Its mild flavor and sturdy texture make it the perfect canvas for various dishes, including these crispy, spicy, and flavorful Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings, these bites are a game-changer. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with the perfect kick of heat from buffalo sauce. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Crispy Texture: The air fryer creates a perfectly crisp exterior without the need for deep frying.
2. Healthier Alternative: Cauliflower is low in calories and high in fiber, making this dish a healthier choice compared to traditional buffalo wings.
3. Quick and Easy: With minimal prep time and just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious snack in no time.
4. Customizable Spice Level: You can easily adjust the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce.
5. Perfect for Game Day or Parties: These buffalo cauliflower bites are a crowd-pleaser, perfect for any gathering or game day spread.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• Air fryer (any model will work, but a larger basket is ideal for bigger batches)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Tongs or spatula (for turning the cauliflower bites)
• Baking sheet (optional, for batch cooking)
• Serving platter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

1. Cut the Cauliflower: Start by washing and trimming your cauliflower. Cut it into bite-sized florets. Try to keep them uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
2. Prepare the Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick, similar to pancake batter.

Step 2: Coat the Cauliflower

1. Dip the Florets: Working in batches, dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess batter before placing them in the air fryer basket.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. If your air fryer doesn’t require preheating, you can skip this step.

Step 3: Air Fry the Cauliflower

1. Spray the Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Arrange the Cauliflower: Place the battered cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket. If needed, cook in batches.
3. Air Fry: Air fry the cauliflower at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The cauliflower should be golden brown and crispy when done.

Step 4: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

1. Heat the Sauce: While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the buffalo sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the buffalo hot sauce, melted butter (if using), honey (if using), and apple cider vinegar (if using). Heat over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally until smooth and warmed through. Adjust the seasoning to taste if necessary.

Step 5: Toss the Cauliflower in Buffalo Sauce

1. Coat the Cauliflower: Once the cauliflower bites are crispy and cooked through, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm buffalo sauce over the cauliflower and toss gently until all the pieces are evenly coated.
2. Return to Air Fryer (Optional): If you prefer extra-crispy cauliflower bites, you can return the coated cauliflower to the air fryer for an additional 2-3 minutes. This step helps to crisp up the sauce and gives the bites a firmer texture.

Step 6: Serve

1. Plate the Bites: Transfer the buffalo cauliflower bites to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for added color and flavor.
2. Serve with Dipping Sauce: These buffalo cauliflower bites are best served with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. You can also serve them alongside celery sticks and carrot sticks to balance the heat.

Customizations and Variations

1. Make it Gluten-Free: To make these buffalo cauliflower bites gluten-free, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You can also use chickpea flour for added protein and texture.
2. Vegan Option: Skip the butter in the buffalo sauce and use a plant-based butter substitute or olive oil for a vegan version of this dish.
3. Add a Crispy Coating: For an even crispier texture, try adding 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs to the batter before air frying. This will create a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
4. Spice Level: Adjust the heat level of the buffalo sauce by choosing a milder or spicier hot sauce. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce if you want extra heat.
5. Different Sauces: While buffalo sauce is the classic option, you can experiment with other flavors like BBQ sauce, teriyaki glaze, or a garlic parmesan sauce for a fun twist on this recipe.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

1. Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: To ensure your cauliflower bites get crispy on all sides, make sure they are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to soggy bites.
2. Shake the Basket: Halfway through cooking, be sure to shake the air fryer basket to promote even cooking and crispiness.
3. Customize the Sauce: If you like your buffalo sauce on the tangier side, add a bit more vinegar. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the amount of honey.
4. Serve Immediately: These buffalo cauliflower bites are best enjoyed right after they’re cooked, as they tend to lose their crispiness if left to sit for too long.

Storing and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

• In the Fridge: Store any leftover buffalo cauliflower bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, note that they will lose some of their crispiness once stored.
• In the Freezer: If you’d like to freeze them, place the cooled buffalo cauliflower bites in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Reheating

• In the Air Fryer: To reheat, place the buffalo cauliflower bites back into the air fryer and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
• In the Oven: You can also reheat the bites in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. This method works well if you don’t have an air fryer.
• Microwave (not recommended): While you can microwave the bites for a quick reheat, they will lose most of their crispiness, so this method isn’t recommended if you want to maintain their texture.

Serving Suggestions

These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways:

1. As a Snack: Serve them as a healthy snack or appetizer at a party or game day gathering.
2. In a Salad: Toss them into a green salad for added flavor and texture.
3. With Tacos: Add them to soft tortillas with avocado, lettuce, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a vegetarian buffalo cauliflower taco.
4. In a Grain Bowl: Pair them with quinoa or rice, some roasted veggies, and your favorite dressing for a hearty grain bowl.

Conclusion

This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe is a fantastic.

Yield: 4

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe

Print

Cauliflower has become the superstar of the vegetable world, and with good reason. Its mild flavor and sturdy texture make it the perfect canvas for various dishes, including these crispy, spicy, and flavorful Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. If you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings, these bites are a game-changer. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with the perfect kick of heat from buffalo sauce. Whether you're serving them as an appetizer, snack, or side dish, they're sure to be a hit with everyone.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (240ml) water or non-dairy milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter)
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower
   Wash and cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
   
2. Step 2: Make the Batter
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
   Gradually add the water or non-dairy milk to the dry ingredients, mixing until a smooth batter forms.
   
3. Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower
   Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, making sure it’s fully coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off.
   
4. Step 4: Air Fry the Cauliflower
   Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
   Place the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
   Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy.
   
5. Step 5: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce
   While the cauliflower is cooking, mix together the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup (if using) in a small bowl.
   
6. Step 6: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
   Once the cauliflower is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a large bowl.
   Pour the buffalo sauce over the hot cauliflower and toss until evenly coated.
   
7. Step 7: Serve
   Serve the buffalo cauliflower bites immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

Adjust the spice: You can modify the amount of hot sauce to suit your heat preference.

For extra crispiness: Spray the coated cauliflower with a little cooking spray before air frying.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to retain crispiness.