Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a crispy, spicy, and healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings using cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful hot sauce and seasoned batter, cooked to perfection in an air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Buffalo Sauce Mixture
- 1/3 cup hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot or Cholula
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cauliflower and Coating
- 1 medium head cauliflower (1 1/2 to 2 pounds), cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch florets (about 5 cups)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup hot sauce and 2 tablespoons olive oil until fully combined to create a spicy sauce base.
- Coat the Cauliflower in Sauce: Add the 5 cups of cauliflower florets to the bowl with the sauce and toss thoroughly until all pieces are evenly coated with the hot sauce mixture.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to create the coating mixture.
- Coat Cauliflower with Dry Mixture: Using a slotted spoon or your hands, transfer the sauced cauliflower florets into the bowl with the dry mixture, leaving excess sauce behind. Toss well using your hands or the spoon to ensure each floret is evenly coated with the batter mixture.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat an air fryer to 400°F (200°C) using a 5 1/2-quart or larger model for best results.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Arrange the coated cauliflower florets in an even layer in the air fryer basket or tray, allowing for slight overlap. Air fry them, tossing every 5 minutes, until they become hot, crispy, and lightly browned. This will take approximately 20 minutes total.
Notes
- Make ahead: Cut cauliflower florets can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Leftover buffalo cauliflower can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For extra crispiness, ensure cauliflower pieces are evenly spaced and not crowded in the air fryer basket.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to fit your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
