Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are the perfect party snack! Coated in a sweet and spicy buffalo sauce, they’re delicious served with ranch or blue cheese dressing and crunchy celery or carrots. Make a double batch because they disappear fast!
Try my air fryer Buffalo chicken wings, spinach dip pinwheels, or crispy baked cheesy zucchini tots next!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Game Day Snack
- these air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings are made with simple ingredients and they are crispy and delicious! We love air fryer recipes for that reason – the crispiness!
- they’re the perfect appetizer for game day.
- we think they’re just as tasty as traditional chicken wings!
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for coating bottom of air fryer
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce (we used Frank’s Red Hot)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Dressing or favorite sauce for dipping (we use ranch or blue cheese dressing)
- Parsley for garnish
- Optional
- carrots and celery sticks
Step By Step Instructions
STEP ONE – Prepare the cauliflower by rinsing and draining, Remove the core and stem and cut into small florets.
STEP TWO – In a small bowl, melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl in ten-second intervals until melted.
STEP THREE – To the melted butter, stir in olive oil, hot sauce and honey. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
STEP FOUR – Pour over cauliflower florets and mix gently until completely covered. I found it easier to mix with clean hands.
STEP FIVE – Whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt in a small bowl.
STEP SIX – Sprinkle flour mixture (dry ingredients)over the cauliflower. Using a sieve or sifter gives a nice thin coating and makes it less clumpy.
STEP SEVEN – Brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. For best results use the oil and do not use cooking spray as it damages some air fryers depending on your basket.
STEP EIGHT – Spread the cauliflower in an air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to air fry cook two batches. There can be a slight overlap but space is required for the air to circulate and the cauliflower bites to get nice and crispy.
STEP NINE – Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Preheating is essential to ensure even cooking within the suggested time frame. If you do not preheat, it will take longer.
STEP TEN – Cook for 15 minutes. Shake the basket gently to rotate it during the cooking process. I like to do this at five-minute intervals. The edges should be crispy. If not, air fry them for a few more minutes. Enjoy!
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Cool cauliflower bites completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
For more extended storage, place leftovers in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Say hello to our favorite party snack! Crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower, made with lightly coated cauliflower florets, hot sauce and honey. Cauliflower bites make a great appetizer or side dish. Enjoy them with a creamy dip such as blue cheese or ranch dressing and a few crispy carrot or celery sticks on the side. You’d better make a double batch – they’re that delicious!!
Ingredients
1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 Tablespoon olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for coating bottom of air fryer
3/4 cup buffalo sauce (we used Frank’s Red Hot)
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dressing or favorite sauce for dipping (we use ranch or blue cheese dressing)
Parsley for garnish
Optional
carrots and celery stick
Instructions
- Rinse cauliflower. Remove the core and stem and cut into small florets. Place in large bowl.
- In a small bowl, melt butter in microwave-safe bowl in ten second intervals until melted.
- To the melted butter, stir in olive oil buffalo sauce and honey. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
- Pour over cauliflower florets and mix gently until completely covered. I found it easier to mix with clean hands.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, cornstarch and salt.
- Sprinkle flour mixture over the cauliflower. Using a sieve or sifter gives a nice thin coating and is less clumpy.
- Brush bottom of air fryer baskset with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Spread cauliflower in air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to air fry cook two batches. There can be a little overlap but space is required for the air to circulate and the cauliflower bites to get nice and crispy.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F
- Cook for 15 minutes, shaking three times throughout the cooking.
Notes
Storage: Cool cauliflower bites completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, place leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Air Fryer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous helping
- Calories: 229
- Sugar: 8.6 g
- Sodium: 1193.6 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30.8 g
- Fiber: 4.6 g
- Protein: 7.3 g
- Cholesterol: 15.3 mg
We made these for a vegetarian in the family and we were all totally amazed!! They really do feel like you are eating chicken wings especially with the Franks hot sauce. The texture was perfect in the air fryer and so easy!! Thanks for the recipe!!
I love how much healthier this is than traditional wings, definitely making this again for Super Bowl!
Thanks Megan! They would be perfect for Superbowl! That’s what wer’re doing as well 🙂
Yummm, this looks so delicious. I crave buffalo sauce ALL the time so eating a healthier option other than wings sounds great to me!
Mine came out perfectly! Was crunchy and crispy but not dry, which I find some air fryer recipes can be. I think the sauce gave it enough moisture to stop it from drying out too much. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks so Much Irena! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!
Love that this flavor packed cauliflower is made in the air fryer. It’s a great snack for game day.
I was surprised at how crispy the cauliflower was! I was a little hesitant about using an air fryer but now I am a believer!
What a great idea! And I love your tips on keeping the cauliflower crispy. These sound addicting!