Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable)

Crispy, spicy cauliflower bites tossed in flavorful buffalo sauce for a delicious snack or appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)

→ Buffalo Sauce

08 - ½ cup buffalo hot sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ For Serving

11 - Celery sticks
12 - Carrot sticks
13 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add milk and whisk until smooth batter forms.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring even coating; shake off excess batter.
04 - Arrange battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through until golden and crisp.
05 - While cauliflower cooks, combine buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup in a large bowl.
06 - Transfer cooked cauliflower immediately to buffalo sauce bowl and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Serve hot with celery, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy and saucy without making your fingers greasy or your kitchen smell like a wing joint for days.
  • Vegetarian but convincing enough that nobody feels like they're eating health food.
  • Air fryer magic means you can make these faster than delivery would arrive.
02 -
  • Shaking the basket halfway through isn't optional—those florets on the bottom get softer, and the shake redistributes heat for even browning.
  • Toss the cauliflower in sauce immediately after air frying while it's still hot; cold florets won't absorb the sauce nearly as well.
  • If you're using an oven instead, bump the temperature to 425°F and watch them closer, flipping halfway through for even crisping.
03 -
  • For extra heat without just cranking the sauce, add a pinch of cayenne to the flour mixture before battering—it builds in layers instead of hitting all at once.
  • If you make these vegan, use unsweetened plant milk and vegan butter; the sauce stays just as sticky and the cauliflower crisps the same way.
Go Back