Crispy Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Printable)

Crunchy cauliflower florets coated with spicy buffalo sauce for a flavorful snack or appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

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

→ Batter

02 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

09 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Buffalo Sauce

10 - 1/3 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F or oven to 425°F; line a baking tray with parchment if using oven.
02 - Whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Toss cauliflower florets in the batter to coat evenly.
04 - Dredge each battered floret in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Place coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the prepared baking tray.
06 - Air-fry for 15–18 minutes, shaking halfway through, or bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crispy.
07 - Combine hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup in a small bowl.
08 - Transfer cooked florets to a bowl, pour buffalo sauce over, and toss to coat evenly.
09 - Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the tangy heat and crunch of buffalo wings without any guilt or grease.
  • The air-fryer makes them ridiculously crispy on the outside while keeping the cauliflower tender inside.
  • They come together fast enough for a weeknight craving but impressive enough for a crowd.
  • Even people who claim they don't like cauliflower end up reaching for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip the panko, regular breadcrumbs just don't give you that same airy, crunchy shell.
  • If you sauce them too early, they'll get soggy fast, so wait until the very last minute before tossing.
  • Make sure the florets aren't touching in the basket or they'll steam instead of crisp.
03 -
  • Press the panko onto the florets with your palms, not just your fingers, so the coating really sticks and doesn't fall off in the basket.
  • A light spray of cooking oil on the coated florets before air-frying helps them turn golden faster and adds an extra layer of crispness.
  • Taste your hot sauce before mixing it, some brands are way saltier or spicier than others, and you can adjust the butter or honey to balance it out.
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