Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe offers a delicious, crispy, and spicy vegetarian appetizer or snack. Cauliflower florets are coated in a zesty hot sauce and a light seasoned flour mixture, then air fried to perfection, delivering a healthier twist on classic buffalo wings.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Coating
- 1/3 cup hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot or Cholula
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cauliflower and Dry Mix
- 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 Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup hot sauce and 2 tablespoons olive oil until well combined. Add the cauliflower florets and toss them thoroughly in the sauce to evenly coat each piece.
- 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 until evenly mixed.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Using a slotted spoon or your hands, transfer the sauced cauliflower from the sauce bowl to the dry mixture bowl, leaving excess sauce behind. Toss the cauliflower in the flour mixture until all pieces are fully coated.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to heat up completely. A 5 1/2-quart or larger air fryer basket or tray works best.
- Air Fry the Cauliflower: Arrange the coated cauliflower florets in an even layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Some overlap is acceptable. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure all sides become crispy and golden brown.
- Serve: Once hot, crispy, and lightly browned, remove the cauliflower from the air fryer and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can prepare the cauliflower florets up to 3 days in advance and keep them refrigerated for convenience.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- If you prefer extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the coated cauliflower with cooking spray before air frying.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- 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
