Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printer-friendly)
Crispy cauliflower florets tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, air-fried to golden perfection. Great as a flavorful vegetarian snack.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
→ Coating
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Buffalo Sauce
09 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
→ Serving (optional)
12 - 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
13 - Celery sticks
14 - Carrot sticks
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
03 - Toss cauliflower florets in the batter, ensuring an even coat.
04 - Arrange coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a small bowl and mix well.
06 - Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce until fully coated.
07 - Return coated cauliflower to the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes to set the sauce.
08 - Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and fresh vegetable sticks.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They're genuinely crispy on the outside and tender inside—no sad, soggy vegetables hiding here.
- The whole thing takes about 35 minutes from start to finish, perfect for when you need something impressive without the fuss.
- Spicy, tangy, and addictive, they disappear fastest at any gathering, even among the meat-and-potatoes crowd.
02 -
- Don't skip the second air fry after saucing—it sets the coating and keeps them crispy instead of turning soggy as they cool.
- The batter needs to be smooth and lump-free, or you'll end up with hard bits that taste raw and ruin the texture.
03 -
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—give those florets space to breathe, or they'll steam instead of crisp.
- If your hot sauce is very thick, thin it slightly with a splash of water so it coats evenly without clumping.